BBC RADIO 3 AND BBC FOUR PIANO SEASON

Early day motion 561, tabled 15 October 2012 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 14 members.

That this House congratulates the BBC on holding Piano Season, a six-week celebration of the piano and its music running from September to November 2012; notes that Piano Season and accompanying nationwide activities have helped to bring attention to talented musicians and inspire younger generations to get involved in music; further notes that this highlights the importance of encouraging music education in schools to a greater degree; acknowledges that it is important for schools to have such facilities and equipment in order to support and develop young musicians; is concerned by research from the Institute of Education, Evaluation of the EMI Music Sound Foundation Project rollout: Training Key Stage 1 Primary School Teachers (2010-2011) finding that one in nine schools did not have a piano; is further concerned by the 2012 Ofsted report which found that one in five schools visited had inadequate music education; and calls on the Government to support music education through the provision of a piano in every primary school in the UK.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Respect 1.