amateur musician

The Managing Director of award-winning Classic FM, Darren Henley, has been appointed to
drive forward the Music Manifesto's campaign for improvement in music education.

He will chair the Manifesto’s new independent Partnership and Advocacy Group – the body
established to inspire, inform and drive the activities of the 1,500 Manifesto signatories. It will also continue to push for progress on the specific Manifesto recommendations that the Government has agreed to adopt.

Darren Henley is the first of more than a dozen leading music educationalists to have joined the newly formed group, created by the Music Manifesto as an independent group representing the broad spectrum of Manifesto signatories. The other members of the group will be announced shortly.

The appointment marks the start of the second phase of the Music Manifesto project,
focused on securing the delivery of a new package of measures aimed at improving music
education across the board. The emphasis will be on inspiring the next generation of children
by focusing on singing, instruments and live music events.

This follows a successful three year campaign leading to substantial additional Government
resources into music education, a new framework for music education delivery within
Government, and bringing focus, motivation and partnerships across the education sector
signatories.

Darren Henley said: “The challenge for music education is crystal clear – to build on the
foundations that the Music Manifesto, under Marc Jaffrey, has put in place to engage young
people, educators, musicians and industry in a new strategic framework for delivery in music
education. I am delighted to work in partnership with the 1,500 signatories who bring so much
to the table, with all the potential for long-term sustained development that entails”.

Schools Minister, Andrew Adonis said: “The Music Manifesto is clear in its aim that all
young people, whatever their background or abilities, have access to a rich and diverse
range of musical experiences. I am delighted that Darren Henley will be chairing this new
advocacy group, bringing together a team of expert stakeholders to give independent
leadership and strategic vision to the Music Manifesto’s drive to improve music education in
this country.

Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge said: "Making music – whether singing or playing an
instrument – is one of life’s joys. It is fulfilling and fun. Music Manifesto is doing a great job
promoting it and, with Government investment, is starting to make a real difference. Darren’s
expertise and enthusiasm combined with his experience at Classic FM is certainly an exciting
asset to the partnership."

Marc Jaffrey, the former Music Manifesto champion who is now the organisation’s
Development Director, said: “Darren Henley brings fantastic energy and dynamism to our
campaign. He has shown over many years that he is an innovator both in broadcasting and
in engaging people of all ages in music learning. As a keen supporter of the Manifesto he has
helped our campaign gain profile, for example through Classic FM’s involvement in our
groundbreaking music education festival, State of Play.

The Music Manifesto has achieved an enormous amount so far in its short life; awareness of
the need for music education is out of all proportion to just three years ago. Our National
Singing Programme is also starting to take shape, led by our Singing Ambassador Howard
Goodall and an inspired consortium of delivery partners. The challenge now for Darren, and
for us all, lies in building on that success to take our campaign onto the next stage”.

www.musicmanifesto.co.uk

September 2007