A REPORT has called for a new national body responsible for teaching music across Wales to be set up.

The report by the Welsh Assembly’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee said a “radical new approach” is needed to save music teaching, which has been struggling with continued funding cuts.

Among the recommendations of the report are for a new arms-length, Welsh Government-funded body to responsible for overseeing music teaching in Wales, and for adequate funding for the area to be available.

Although each council in Wales has been given £10,000 to buy musical instruments for schools, the report described this as “a drop in the ocean”.

Committee member and Islwyn AM Rhianon Passmore, herself a former music teacher. welcomed the report.

"It is right that the ability to play a musical instrument is based on ability to play and not pay," she said.

"It is a matter of equality of opportunity.

"As a socialist, a former music teacher and musician I have called many times, in the past two years, for a sustainable solution to funding instrumental tuition and a core pupil offer accessible to all free at the point of tuition."

The Labour MP added: "I very much support the emphasis on the need for core funding for a new national music education teaching service within a local footprint, a local service able to roll out a core pupil offer with incremental orchestral and ensembles access - so that Wales remains a Land of Song now and in the future."

The committee has also recommended more focus should be given to teaching children modern, popular music genres, singling out rock and pop music as possibilities.

Committee chairwoman Bethan Sayed said: “As a musician who came through the music education system I have seen first-hand the value and the opportunities it provides.

“As such, I am passionate about addressing the urgent need to sustain and develop music in Wales and believe we must now come up with radical solutions in the face of continuous cuts to these services."

The Plaid Cymru AM added: “This report specifically focuses on addressing the shortfalls and achieving consistency across Wales, in order to ensure that every child, regardless of their location or financial backing, has an equal opportunity to progress to excellence.

“The time has come to not simply paper over the cracks but to give sufficient resource and clear direction to the sector.”