Young musicians sound note of discord over funding axe

BRASSED off young musicians have been banging the drum in a series of open air demonstrations against proposed cuts to Hull’s music service.

An ensemble regaled commuters outside the Paragon rail and bus station before targeting shoppers at Princes Quay and Queen Victoria Square.

But they saved their loudest blast for the steps of the Guildhall, where they presented a petition signed by more than 3,000 people to Coun Christine Gurevitch, the chairwoman of Hull Council’s Children, Young People and Families Overview and Scrutiny Commission.

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They also sang a song written for the occasion by John Brien, the chairman of the City of Hull Young Musicians’ Friends’ Association, which is set to the tune of Lord of the Dance and extols the virtues of the Albemarle Music Centre.

The musicians and their supporters are protesting against the council’s plans to withdraw its entire £511,000 annual funding contribution, about a third of the service’s budget.

Although council leader Carl Minns insists the centre will stay open, users fear it could be forced to close if that level of funding is lost.

The £3.5m centre, which opened in October 2007, is a hub of musical activity for more than 700 youngsters in choirs, orchestras, and bands.

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