Aberdeen City Council has said it is going to expand the use of digital technology in the teaching of children and young people to play musical instruments.
The council’s education operational delivery committee has approved a plan to provide digital content to support children and young people in their practice on instruments between lessons.
This follows the provision of a digital service as an emergency measure during the pandemic lockdown.
Officers will consult with pupils, parents and instructors to determine the scope of the offer.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, music lessons were delivered through video links and assignments posted in a digital classroom. The council’s music service also helped to develop content including a website for each instrumental team and instructor videos.
It said that many pupils continued to make good progress with this approach.
Committee convenor Councillor M Taqueer Malik said: "Our council has been pioneering in its use of digital technology - and there is a great opportunity to harness its power in delivering content to support those who engage with the music service.
"During the pandemic we discovered new ways of working, which in this case brought people from across the city together online.
"We look forward to seeing how the plans progress and ultimately helping increasing numbers of young people to engage with a musical instrument."
Numbers rising
The council said that over 1,400 young people are already registered for the service and, following an announcement in June of free music tuition across Scotland, it is expecting a significant increase in the number.
For the 2021-22 year each associated school group has been allocated a minimum among of instructor time.
A council spokesperson said it is aware of some other local authorities in rural areas having a hybrid offering of musical tuition.
Image from iStock, Moostocker
