MEC encourages all its members to communicate its core messages at all times.They are as follows:

Message 1
Young people’s music making in the UK sets the standard for the rest of the world

• Young people’s music making in the UK is world-class because it is in every school curriculum and supported by music services and other structures including the Music and Dance Scheme and Youth Music Action Zones.
• These structures need to be protected and supported with targeted funding from central and local government if we are to maintain our world-class reputation for music making and the existing pathways from beginner to
  expert.

Message 2
Music education in the UK improves attainment in other areas such as numeracy and literacy. It also brings communities together.

• Music contributes uniquely to achieving literacy and numeracy targets and should be part of a broad and balanced school curriculum.
• Music is also intrinsically important. Music making benefits people of all ages and brings communities together: it promotes the development of emotional intelligence and social skills.
• It has a vital role in supporting and developing vulnerable, disadvantaged and disabled people.

Message 3
Music education is backed by the public

• Ninety-one per cent of adults agree that every child should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument in school and more than three in four members of the public back the current level of ring-fenced funding arrangements (1).

Message 4
Music education underpins our economy

• Music education helps generate the workforce and audience for the creative arts which last year contributed towards 10% of GDP and were the only (non-public) sector to grow during the recession (2).

(1) Research undertaken by YouGov on behalf of the Incorporated Society of Musicians
(2) Department for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, February 2010