Tribute paid to charity’s departing music service head

Services For Education, the Birmingham charity responsible for Birmingham’s Music Service that teaches music each week to 32,000 children in 98 per cent of Birmingham schools, has paid tribute to its outgoing Head of Music Service who is leaving the organisation after 33 years.

Stuart Birnie (pictured), a professional tuba player, joined Birmingham Music Service as Lower Brass Specialist, being appointed Head of Music Service in 2019 having previously been assistant

head for six years prior to that. He and his team are credited with being driving forces behind the expansion of music education in the city.

When he first joined the Music Service, Stuart was one of just 30 music teachers. Today, Services For Education employs around 180 music professionals and runs one of the largest Music Services in England, having received numerous awards and honours for its work.

The Music Service, which became part of Services For Education in 2013, provides 27,000 musical instruments free of charge, organises the country’s largest youth proms running over four nights at Symphony Hall, has significantly expanded its world music department and has introduced music to support children and young adults with special education needs.

Stuart, who departs Birmingham to take up a post in the south of England so as to be closer to his family, said: “The teaching of music in our schools has improved dramatically – but I must emphasise that it has always been a team effort and throughout my 33 years in Birmingham, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented music teachers and professionals as well as with great schools, heads and teachers..

“I have been fortunate to witness the impact that music and the creative arts can have on young people. Music should be available and accessible to all. When I first joined the Music Service, learning to play music was largely the domain of children whose parents could afford it. Whole class teaching back in the early 1990s was rare and we started our whole class instrumental teaching programme in 2004 with just seven classes. Today, we are delivering 450 classes across the city. Birmingham can be proud that it has led the way in enabling more schools and their children to participate in music.

“The Music Service in the city has also been responsible for many other initiatives. Our collection of 27,000 music instruments (which we reckon to be the largest outside the armed forces) enables children to be loaned an instrument free of charge. Introducing that facility at the Music Service’s inception really helped change the face of music education in the city.”

Sharon Bell, chief executive of Services For Education, said: “Whilst we are sad that Stuart is leaving us, we are enormously grateful that he has led and been supported by a team that has made an enormous contribution to the lives of thousands of young people and has helped firmly establish music as an important component in Birmingham’s schools. We are very grateful for his work, team leadership and dedication and wish him every future success.

“We have in place a structure and team that will enable us to continue to move forward especially with the recent announcement by Arts Council England that Services For Education has been selected as the Music Hub Lead Organisation in Birmingham – that will enable even more Birmingham children to enjoy playing music,” said Sharon.