We may lose a generation of musicians, say educators

Despite news of a vaccine, fears are mounting among music educators of the longterm impact of Covid on our young musicians.

With many of their students restricted to year group bubbles, music teachers are also grappling with the potential risks of 'spitting' and social distancing; this makes it very difficult for students to play in ensembles or sing together in choirs.

Nic Adams Director of Music at a school in Somerset in the UK commented: "Covid aside, it's important we carry on promoting music in schools, that we keep music alive. I worry about the longterm impact of Covid, of its lasting impact. My fear is that students who are missing the team feeling they previously found in music, will look for it elsewhere where it is accessible, such as in sports. We may lose a generation of musicians. "

Jane Werry is also Head of Music at a UK school in Kent: “Many of my students have said that they desperately miss making music together. Being part of a joint venture, and creating that communal magic is such a rich part of our school life that is entirely missing at the moment.

“Students risk feelings of isolation as well as missing out on the joy of music-making, the laughs we have in rehearsals, and the sense of purpose that it gives them.”

International concert pianist Panos Karan performs all over the world and also runs a worldwide music education charity: “Music has been a form of group therapy for our young musicians around the world. It is like a medicine that they do not have access to right now. The sense of selfworth, and confidence that was achieved through the musical activities is, for the time being, lacking.

“Change is stressful, and at the beginning of this crisis, most of us faced this as a temporary shift, with our foot ready on the gas for as soon as the switch goes back on. It becomes, however, a lot harder to come back, when this crisis takes longer and becomes more permanent. The longer it takes, the longer it will take to start again, like a slow train starting on an uphill.

“Most importantly, our musical activities are a lifeline for mental health for many young people living in extraordinary circumstances and provide a safety net of hope and encouragement to children that needed it the most. The longer it takes to come back, the bigger the mental health and wellbeing issues our students will face.”

Another casualty of this new Covid-confined era is touring.

Werry again: