Defending the Humanities

The British Academy have awarded me an honorary Fellowship, which I consider to be a genuine honour and encouragement. Championing the humanities and social sciences, the BA is one of four national knowledge academies, which include the Royal Society, their next door neighbours in stately Carlton House Terrace.

At a pleasant evening welcoming new fellows, I was invited to say a few words, and instinctively voiced my enthusiasm for music as a university subject. Even Plato included it in his very short shortlist of subject areas to be mastered; and nowadays a music degree effortlessly embraces the study of history, languages, literature, anthropology and social science. It's something I very often recommend to school students who love music but have multiple other enthusiasms.

Right on cue, Nottingham University have announced they are "pausing" their undergraduate music degree next year (as so often, alongside modern languages.) All the usual things are being said: "it's just a proposal"; "we can still do extracurricular music"; "not enough A-level students or research income". Over many decades this has been one of the really major UK music departments. When I visited a few years ago I was also struck by their impressive premises, part of the university's public-facing Lakeside Arts Centre. A very "joined up" situation for musical study to thrive in.

What more can be said, for now ? except sign the petition.