The 2019 Report on Music Instrument Services
The National Instrumental Music Survey in Scotland looks at the 32 local authorities Instrumental Music Services (IMS) across Scotland. These services are discretionary and separate to the music taught within the classroom or by the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) funded music making programme. The report has produced for the last seven years by ‘Improvement Service’ for the Heads of Instrumental Teaching Scotland.
The report notes some valuable research about music education in its forward highlighting its cultural, skill for life and mathematical benefits to those taking part.
‘It has also been proven that music is linked to neurological benefits, which can help with subjects such as mathematics, language, and cognitive tasks. As noted by Lawrence Scripp, “A strong body of evidence establishes positive significant associations between music and spatial-temporal reasoning; achievement in math; achievement in reading; and the reinforcement of social-emotional or behavioural objectives.”
It also quotes the study ‘The Importance of Music Education’ by Ken Petress where he states ‘that music teaches children self-discipline, to take instruction and criticism, to perform and gain self-confidence, dedication, teamwork, to gain knowledge e.g. musical theory, humility, hard-work, goal setting and to practice. These types of skills can be enhanced and transferred into other aspects of children’s lives and follow them into adulthood. ‘
He also notes in his paper that “Music is shown to be beneficial to students in four major categories: success in society, success in school, success in developing intelligence, and success in life.”
Below are download link to the report and summary
IMS Survey Report 2019
IMS Survey Report 2019 Music tuition summary tables 2019
1. Scripp, L (2002) ‘An Overview of Research on Music and Learning’ pp. 132
2. Petress, K ‘The Importance of Music Education’
The end of project report for the YMI year 2018/819 has just been released. It explores the work of all the funds strands, highlight that during that year at least 240,000 young people took part in YMI activity. This includes at least 195,000 in school based activity and at least 45,000 in out of school activity.