Is your son or daughter learning a musical instrument in school? Do you pay for the tuition through Wiltshire Music Service? 4-5,000 primary and secondary school children in Wiltshire have their music lessons this way.

Does your child attend one, or more, of the ensembles in the Wiltshire Young Musiciansand Salisbury Area Young Musicians? About 700 children in Wiltshire attend these weekly ensembles (part funded by WMS), which parents and families will know provide an unparalleled musical education and performing experience. Each end of term concert is so professional, not to mention the huge enjoyment of both the children and the audience, in their productions; very proud moments.

But did you know that Wiltshire Council plan to close down the Wiltshire Music Service at the end of July 2015, with no alternative provision in place? They are in consultation until Easter over this cost-cutting plan. From September 2015 our children may have no access to affordable musical tuition or musical ensembles. We have a rare and valuable music provision here in Wiltshire, through WMS, an envy to many families outside of our county, as well as our own international standard concert hall, the Wiltshire Music Centre, in Bradford on Avon. Could it be that our children would never again be able to perform here?

I urge you to write, expressing your concerns, to Fred Angus, manager for teaching, learning and partnerships, County Hall, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JN; to the head teacher of your child’s school; and to your MP, as soon as possible. Wiltshire Council need to understand how we feel about losing this precious service for our children, before their consultation period ends at Easter.

Ruth Paget, Year 7 parent, Bradford on Avon.