Music for All: Musical Instrument Instruction and Equity in Scotland’s Schools

Instrumental music instruction is a non-statutory service in Scotland. It is additional to regular classroom music activities. Instrumental Music Services are under pressure to widen access and participation for all learners while being constrained by increasing cutbacks. In addition to issues of capacity, there is the issue of equitable access to participation and to instructors’ confidence to deal with diversity. Consideration needs to be given to the kind of professional development that might support a more inclusive instrumental music service in Scotland.