Keep our musical heritage alive!

That was the message from musicians of all ages to Kirklees councillors as they voted on possible funding cuts.

Kirklees Music School faces losing its £296,000 council funding as part of sweeping cuts being made by Kirklees Council.

Prior to Wednesday’s Budget Council – where councillors met to set spending plans and agree cuts up to £69m – musicians performed for the public and councillors arriving at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Sara Zbos, who chairs the Colne Valley Music Centre Parents’ Association, said: “We are hoping that councillors will choose not to cut the £300,000 per annum of funding that they give to the music school.

“We appreciate the dreadful position they have to make, but the loss of almost £300,000 will mean that of the seven music centres two will have to close.

“The remaining five we can keep open, but we will have to condense the amount we can do and that ultimately means fewer opportunities for children to learn to play an instrument.”

Sara, who says music kept her in Huddersfield after her higher education, says its heritage and future go hand in hand.

“Huddersfield’s musical heritage sells itself, the children of today are the musicians of the future, some will move away and represent Huddersfield, some will remain in Huddersfield and keep music alive locally.

“I don’t think the councillors recognise the extent of the support we have received. And there is nothing elitist, people may think the pupils learning to play come from wealthy families, but the grant we get from Kirklees means music lessons for low income families are much cheaper. The diversity of our students demonstrates that.”

At Wednesday evening's budget meeting, Clr David Ridgway, Lib Dem Colne Valley, said: "Kirklees is rich in its heritage of arts and music.

"This tradition is too deep to be placed in jeopardy. To remove funding for Kirklees Music School is an act of vandalism and we will be condemned by our children and our children's children for it."