Affordable musical instruments and tuition for older people

05/12/2007

The Arts Council has launched a scheme called "Take It Away" which aims to encourage people to take up musical instruments by providing an interest-free loan, thereby making the instruments and lessons more affordable - and they are especially keen to reach older people.

Take It Away offers an interest free loan of up to £2000 which is repayable over nine monthly repayments, and loans are available through a network of retailers across the country.

Hilary Boulding, Director, Music Strategy, Arts Council said: “That there are many thousands of aspiring musicians of all ages across the UK, and we hope this scheme will make it easier for people from all backgrounds to establish new musical passions and nurture existing musical talents."

A recent survey by the Music Industry Association found some interesting statistics:
• Just over 21% of population play an instrument - and more than 4.5 million of these are over 55.
• From an estimated 18m lapsed players, 8.5m people would like to start playing again - and more than 3.6 million of those are are over 55.
• 45% of all brass players are over 55
• 12% of all guitar players are over 55
• 7% of all string players are over 55
• 33% of all piano and other keyboard players are over 55
• 4% of all percussion players are over 55
• 10% of all woodwind players are over 55

Professor Susan Hallam, a leading expert in the psychology of music, said: “Music exerts a powerful impact on our lives, and learning to play an instrument has demonstrable effects on intelligence."

For more information contact: Take it away, Arts Council England, 14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ. Email: takeitaway@artscouncil.org.uk. or call Lucy Jamieson on 020 7973 6452.