Music has an extraordinary power to move human beings. In the 18th Century, philosopher Jean-Jacques RousseauAn 18th Century Swiss philosopher whose book Reveries of the Solitary Walker extolled the virtues of being alone in nature. wrote that if Swiss mercenariesProfessional soldiers who are hired to fight in an army. heard the sound of a famous song from their country, the Ranz des Vaches ("rows of cows"), they would be so overcome with nostalgiaThe feelings of happiness and slight sadness you get when remembering the past. that they would throw down their weapons on the spot and risk everything to desertDry land where there is very little rain and few plants. and return home. Swiss armies therefore banned the playing of this tune, on pain of death.

But one person it may not be able to move is Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

A group of UK music legends, including Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Coldplay, Harry Styles, and Stormzy has called on Reeves to commit £250m in funding for music education. They say British music is coming apart after decades of state neglect.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer may be in favour: he has previously said every child should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.¹

But some think we should go further and make musical education compulsory.

Learning an instrument is not just about the music. It comes with lifelong benefits for the brain. Studies show young children who receive music lessons on average have better memories, sharper focus, and better fine motor skillsThe ability to make small, precise movements using the small muscles in the hands, wrists, fingers, feet, and toes, crucial for tasks like writing, eating, dressing, and moving objects around. than those who do not. In fact, some research shows learning an instrument actually adds grey matterA type of tissue in your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) that plays a crucial role in allowing you to function normally from day to day. to the brain.²

And there are emotional advantages. Playing an instrument can build confidence and reduce anxiety in young people. The need to practise every day instils self-discipline.

Many young people who learn an instrument will play it in an orchestra or a band. This requires them to learn how to listen to those around them and cooperate as part of a team.

It also provides them with an alternative set of friends. For those who struggle with unpopularity at school, having another group of people who share an interest with them can be a lifeline.

So even those who do not go on to become the next BeethovenGerman composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music. or MozartAn 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works. will still reap the benefits from their childhood musical exploits for the rest of their lives.

As well as gains for individuals, there are advantages for the country in providing comprehensive music education. In decades past, the UK was renowned for its music.

In the 1960s, the Beatles; in the 1970s, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Queen; in the 1980s; The Cure, New Order, The Smiths; in the 1990s, Blur, Oasis, Radiohead, the Manic Street Preachers, the Stone Roses.

All had hordes of enthusiastic fans around the world, and helped to boost Britain's image as a cool and happening place.

Even today, South London is a musical powerhouse, its jazzy offerings played in bars around the world. And music is still a huge industry in the UK, valued last year at a record £7.6bn.³

Reeves herself was one of the many beneficiaries of this booming sector a few weeks ago when she was given free tickets to attend a Sabrina Carpenter concert.⁴ Sheeran et al may be hoping the US pop giant, like the players of the Ranz des Vaches, might move the Chancellor to pencil in the funds for musical education.

Should every child learn an instrument?

Yes: The benefits for the child and for the country are massive and incontrovertibleNot able to be denied or disputed..

No: Young people cannot be forced to pick up and practise an instrument. And most of them will find they have no interest in pursuing music at all. This would be too blunt a policy.

Or... Revitalising British music is not just about handing out instruments to young people. We need to rebuild the infrastructure on which local musicians thrive: grassroots venues, apprenticeships and so on.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau - An 18th Century Swiss philosopher whose book Reveries of the Solitary Walker extolled the virtues of being alone in nature.

Mercenaries - Professional soldiers who are hired to fight in an army.

Nostalgia - The feelings of happiness and slight sadness you get when remembering the past.

Desert - Dry land where there is very little rain and few plants.

Fine motor skills - The ability to make small, precise movements using the small muscles in the hands, wrists, fingers, feet, and toes, crucial for tasks like writing, eating, dressing, and moving objects around.

Grey matter - A type of tissue in your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) that plays a crucial role in allowing you to function normally from day to day.

Beethoven - German composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music.

Mozart - An 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works.

Incontrovertible - Not able to be denied or disputed.