Parents are being asked for their views on how music tuition can be improved in the north-east.
Aberdeenshire Council is launching a four-week survey on Monday in an effort to boost the way the subject is taught in schools.
Head of instrumental music Richard Paton leads a team of 46 instructors who teach 2,000 primary and secondary pupils in a variety of disciplines, including woodwind, brass, strings and percussion.
He said families’ opinions were key to raising standards.
“Many improvements have already been made within the service, such as the introduction of online payment methods, but we still want to hear from as many parents as possible about their experiences,” he said.
Councillor Isobel Davidson, the chairwoman of the authority’s education committee, added: “Aberdeenshire Council is committed to providing excellent music tuition in all of our schools and a wide range of instruments are available for those who wish to learn to play them.”
She also praised the pupils of the Aberdeenshire Youth Orchestra, who are travelling to tour Rhineland in Germany next summer.
Fraserburgh councillor and former secondary school teacher Charles Buchan backed the effort.
Last night he said: “I’m a great believer in music tuition. Not only because it gives young people skills, but because it teaches them to socialise well. It requires great discipline, performing in bands and orchestras.”
The questionnaire will be available online at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InstrumentalMusic1
from Monday.