The pilot stage of the ‘We Make Music Now!’ research project concluded in May 2024 with the research focussed on the four local authorities of Falkirk, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire, and provided considerable insight into the impact of the government policy to remove charges for instrumental lessons. The fieldwork was conducted by Dr Graeme Smillie, who worked closely with Dr Anita Collins through regular advisory meetings. The following themes were identified throughout the focus groups and interviews with research participants in these local authorities:

• More learners are accessing instrumental lessons
• Instrumental learning is beneficial for ASN learners and is an area for growth
• Instrumental learning impacts on learners’ broader study habits
• Instrumental lessons help with emotionally based school avoidance
• Instrumental lessons help with social cohesion
• Instrumental lessons improve health and wellbeing
• Instrumental services connect communities
• There is an ongoing attitudinal transition from paid to free lessons
• More IMIs could translate into more learners
• Demand for lessons is forcing selection
• Physical space restricts IMS capacity in some areas
• The policy is allowing IMS to be more progressive in their offerings
• The broader demographic accessing IMS impacts positively on musical achievement
• There is a need for a longer-term commitment to support free instrumental lessons

Recommendations were made based on these pilot study findings. The recommendations were developed by Dr Graeme Smillie in consultation with Dr Anita Collins and shared in the pilot report. Dr Lio Moscardini and Professor Stephen Broad also offered feedback and guidance on the pilot study and will be consulted throughout the second phase of the research.

Feedback and consultation with Scottish Government and Education Scotland

Following the delivery of the pilot report, lead researcher Dr Graeme Smillie and Mae Murray from MEPG have met with Karen Armstrong from Scottish Government and Neil Millar from Education Scotland, establishing an open and constructive ongoing dialogue. This will steer the second phase of the We Make Music Now! research project and clear points of emphasis have been established:

• Recommendations should be solution-based
• Examples of good practice should be highlighted
• External perspectives from those out with the IMS should be prioritised
• The holistic impact of IMS participation, including the impact on behaviour, attendance and mental health should be emphasised
  Scottish Child Payment should be included in the quantitative indicators.

This feedback and guidance have been steering the data collection in the second phase.

Stage Two progress

Dr Graeme Smillie has been conducting interviews and focus groups with service managers, IMIs, learners, and parents/carers in phase two. This fieldwork will continue throughout October, November, and December 2024. In addition to the methods and sampling of the pilot study, head teachers and education officials are also being recruited in response to feedback.

The aim is to recruit over 80% of Scotland’s Instrumental Music Services in the second phase of the study, and this has already been surpassed. Two local authorities have declined to participate, citing a lack of capacity. As this seems like an important area of data to capture in itself, the invitation to participate remains open, and support is being given to local authorities to meet the demands of participating in the research.

24 of the 28 non-pilot local authority focus groups have been planned, and 23 of these are largely in-person. In-person data collection is being prioritised, but some parent and carer focus groups have proved to be logistically challenging, and a larger proportion of these have been held online. One authority has elected to hold all focus groups online due to its rural nature.

The deadline for the quantitative data sought from each LA has been set for the start of November, and the aim is to conclude data collection by the end of 2024, to allow 3 months for the report to be written and refined. We are looking forward to seeing the finalised report next March.