Are music and the arts being overshadowed by the hurly-burly of the election debates? There is a danger that they are, since whilst we’ve all been fascinated by the meteoric rise of Nick Clegg, and the response of his opponents in the debates, no-one’s actually mentioning music. If you heard Ed Vaizey (Conservative), Don Foster (Lib Dems) and Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Music Matters with Tom Service, you might be encouraged in some ways. For instance Ed Vaizey admitted the mistakes the Conservatives made in the past with the Education Reform Act that removed the statutory obligation for local education authorities to maintain their music services. All three parties also agreed about the value of In Harmony and the relatively minuscule amount of funding for music education that they would not wish to cut, but they didn’t exactly say that they would maintain dedicated (or ring-fenced) funds for music service provision. So we’ve still got to keep up the pressure and ensure that we get our message across nationally and locally.

In the Times on 23rd April, Richard Morrison said how, in 25 years as a critic, he has never been so hopeful about musical life as he is now. In particular he praised the prospectus for the this year’s Proms which features exciting young British conductors such as Robin Ticciati, who came through the ranks of the NYO, or Edward Gardner, an ex chorister of Gloucester Cathedral. Music services relate directly to these two groups, as they do also for other notable stars in music - Alison Balsam, who was taught by a generous and inspirational music service teacher, and Katie Melua, who attended the Belfast Music School. Why mention them? Because if, as Richard Morrison concludes, music in the UK has never been better in recent years, much of that success must be down to the music educators - in music services, orchestras, choir schools and music schools. We produce superb musicians because we have a first class, world class music education system, underpinned by and dependent on music services.

Now to get back to the political debate, is music relevant to the economy, immigration, pensions and MPs expenses? Certainly it is, at least for the first three, though I’m not so sure about the fourth! Music education provides the foundations for the creative industries which contribute to the nation’s wealth. Through our inclusive approach that embraces all kinds of music for all kinds of people in all kinds of communities, we help to remove barriers rather than create them. Isn’t music a healing resource that brings people together, rather than pulls them apart? The case for music and pensions is a little more tenuous, but I’m sure that most music services have some activities that are designed for older people. The point I’m making is that music is relevant and indeed central to all these political issues, but of course it is also fundamentally important to all human beings. So at this time of political rough and tumble we need to remind all the contestants - i.e. all the politicians - that we are here and are helping them achieve their goals for the good of the country.

In all this the FMS is doing what it can to communicate the message powerfully and effectively. We’re working hard with our partners - ABRSM, Yamaha, Sing Up, Youth Music and Think Again to NAME but a few - so that we combine forces and help unite all those who work in the music education sector. It’s also important that everyone in the FMS maintains the messaging momentum. Have you, for example, contacted your local Paliamentary candidates so that they are aware of the good that you do? If you haven’t, it’s not too late. Are you keeping up the good news stories in the local press and your own website? Have you joined www.fmsbuzz.com, which is a great and free resource celebrating your own work. And are you coming to the annual conference in Belfast on 17th and 18th June, where keynote speakers include Sir Tim Brighouse will be helping us through this challenging period of change?

At the end of my three year contract in August I will be stepping down as Chief Executive, though I hope to work on a part-time basis for the FMS in areas such as self evaluation. I have enjoyed my time immensely, but within the next week we hope that my successor will be appointed. I believe that whilst times are tough, we really do have everything to play for. We might be at a threshold, as the title of our conference suggests, but through our collective spirit and determination we are also about to step over the threshold and lay the foundations for the future.