The proposed cuts to the Ceredigion’s music service have sparked a strong reaction from many of the people who have benefitted from vocal and instrumental tuition over the past decades.

Several of them have urged Ceredigion County Council to reconsider their proposals for such a large cut in funding, and to work with staff and parents to find a compromise which would protect the music service and its inclusive ethos.

Georgia Ruth, from Aberystwyth, is a harpist and songwriter whose debut album was nominated for several UK-wide awards. She also presents music programmes on BBC radio.

Georgia said: “The Ceredigion Music Service has an excellent reputation for developing local talent. It has enabled dozens of young people to discover a passion for music and to forge careers, as well as retaining a very strong ethos that music should be for everyone regardless of their background.

“Research continually demonstrates that music education enhances all aspects of learning and wellbeing. Our dedicated team of peripatetic teachers is at the heart of this service; to lose them due to short-sighted cost savings would be a tragedy.”

Gareth Roberts, originally from Talybont, learnt music with legendary Ceredigion peripatetic teacher Alan Phillips, and now makes his living as a jazz musician, band leader, composer and teacher.

He said: “I have been fortunate enough to play trombone professionally for the past 20 years and I have no doubt that I would never have ended up doing this were it not for the education and support I received from the Ceredigion Music Service.

“I know so many people, of all ages and abilities, who have benefitted so much from the teaching and playing experiences provided that it would be a terrible shame should these opportunities not be available to the musicians of the future.”

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