BUDGET cuts could hit the wrong note for children in the Blackburn and Darwen area.

A redundancy consultation has begun with all 25 staff at the music and performing arts service as council bosses await a decision on funding from the Arts Council.

If funding is not granted by central government all primary and secondary schools will no longer have specially trained musicians to teach music within their schools.

The music and performing arts service was created to give children in the borough a chance to experience a variety of musical opportunities.

More than 3,500 pupils have a music lesson each week, free instruments are loaned out and there are 11 ensembles open to children and young people. The service also runs the annual Big Sings in King George’s Hall.

Unions said the redundancies will cause ‘stress’ and ‘anxiety’ but fear that the greatest impact will be on the children themselves.

NASUWT negotiating secretary Lesley Ham said: “Losing the music service would impact hugely on primary schools in particular. The music service is giving a great service to children. The kids are getting a taste of music whether a family is musical or not. Children would lose out in terms of enrichment and creativity.”

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said it hoped ‘common sense would prevail’.

National executive member and Blackburn with Darwen branch secretary of the NUT, Simon Jones said: “I understand the reason why Blackburn with Darwen Council has to go through the procedure due to uncertainties with the funding. But even so this will cause stress and anxiety for the people who will be affected.”

Blackburn composer and bass player Steve Berry, who teaches at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and is a senior lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music, said: “Music is vital and fundamental. If children are not exposed to music it can make it much harder down the line for talented children.”

Lisa Bibby, director of schools and learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are facing a few months of uncertainty but we are hopeful we will be able to work with schools, children and young people and partners to continue the service successfully. We will find out about our funding on May 4 and we anticipate we will be successful in our bid for extra (future) funding from the government to enable us to continue to run from September.”