British Music Rights today welcomed the Government’s announcement (see note 1) of a drive to make rehearsal space available to budding musicians throughout the country.  The Government have asked Feargal Sharkey to lead efforts to ensure that every young musician has access to place for rehearsal and performance, in every part of the country.

The need for affordable rehearsal and performance space was highlighted in British Music Rights' submission to the Government’s consultation on the creative economy programme (see note 2) and was a key plank of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters' report (see note 3) on the status of the artist in the UK.

Responding to today’s announcement, British Music Rights' chief executive Emma Pike said, “The artist is at the heart of a vast value chain upon which the creative industries are built.  If we value our creative industries and our creative capabilities as a nation, we need to start with how we value and nurture the individual creator.  This is one important way in which the Government can recognise the gain that creators bring to our culture, society and economy.”

Chris Green, chief executive of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, added, “Making sure that aspiring music creators have the opportunity to develop and hone their talent is crucial if we want to build a society that values the creativity of its citizens.  Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction.  The appointment of Feargal Sharkey to spearhead this initiative will be welcomed by everyone in the music industry.  He is a passionate advocate and a highly respected ambassador of the UK’s vibrant music sector.  We now hope the Government will take the next logical step, and release funds from Unclaimed Assets Scheme to put some wind in the sails of this worthwhile initiative.”

For further information, please contact British Music Rights on 020 7306 4446

Notes to Editors

About British Music Rights

• British Music Rights is the consensus voice of Britain’s composers and songwriters, music publishers and their collecting societies.
• The members of British Music Rights are the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Music Publishers Association (MPA), the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) and the Performing Rights Society (PRS).

Notes

1. See Department for Culture, Media and Sport press notice 086/07 “Feargal Sharkey asked to set up rehearsal studio network” http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/
Press_notices/archive_2007/dcms086_07.htm

2. See recommendation below from British Music Right’s submission to the Government’s consultation (February 2007):

KEY ISSUE:  make premises available for rehearsals and live performance
The live music sector in the UK is vibrant, and with a growing consumer appetite for live performance, we must ensure that young people have the space and opportunity to hone their musical talent.

ACTION:
We recommend:
The government should encourage local authorities to identify suitable buildings for music rehearsal, including widening access to music rehearsal and performance facilities in specialist music schools and further education colleges. 

3. See chapter 4 of Status Quo…? An exploration of the status of composers, performers and songwriters in the UK’s creative economy – consultancy report by Andrew Missingham, commissioned by the Musicians’ Union and the British Academy  of Composers & Songwriters, published October 2006.