A petition has been launched to stop cuts to Kirklees Music School.

Student Daniel Taylor is behind the campaign, which he hopes will urge councillors to rethink potential plans to cut £299,000 funding to the service, which has seven centres across the area.

If the cuts go through, it is feared it could endanger the continuation of free lessons for looked-after children and subsidised rates for those from low income households and could force some of the centres to close.

Daniel, who plays in an ensemble at the Colne Valley centre every Friday at Colne Valley High School, said: “Kirklees music centres are providing an amazing opportunity for musicians and have been for a number of years.

“By cutting the budget Kirklees council are depriving a musical community of vital skills which will aid their playing.

“This music centre has a long history and has become a prominent part in my life, and all those who participate.

“The people I have met through this centre are extremely talented and have impacted on me more than I wish to say. It resembles a second family to me, I couldn’t imagine my life without them.”

So far, over 1,318 people from across the world, including one from Vancouver, have signed his petition on the website Change, including many former pupils.

International opera singer Paul Hudson, a member of the Halle Orchestra and one from Colne Valley Male Voice Choir were amongst those who came together alongside former teachers at the school to highlight their opposition to any cuts.

One, Rose Casey, said: “(With KMS) I improved vastly as a musician, but I also learnt important team-work skills and the very real value that can come from being part of a community.

“I have developed a life-long love of music from my time having lessons and playing in ensembles through KMC.”

Principal of KMS, Thom Meredith, said that staff had already streamlined the service as best they could and would be forced to also consider making cutbacks to other areas too if the funding was pulled.

These could include families accessing minority instruments, the Gifted and Talented Scholarship programme, supporting live performances in schools and concerts, networking meetings for school music teachers and administrative costs.

Talking about the petition, Thom said: “The support received from people passionate about music has been overwhelming. It is apparent that KMS is a well-loved and well-used service that means a great deal to pupils, past and present, and the wider community as a whole. I would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and for demonstrating their support for music in Kirklees.”

Kirklees councillors will decide whether to scrap the fund next week at the council’s annual budget meeting, when they attempt to introduce a new £69m of cuts over the next three years.

The petition can be signed at http://chn.ge/1zW94Yq