Bristol pupils to be taught to sing and play instrument

Every pupil in Bristol is to be given the chance to have some specialist music tuition and to sing in a choir after the council secured almost £1m.

The Art Council grant will fund more than 100 music and art teaching posts as part of a project known as the Bristol Music Education Hub.

Councillor Clare Campion-Smith said the grant was "excellent news".

It follows the government's Henley Review, which warned that music education in schools was "patchy".

It recommended that organisations should create partnerships to promote excellent music education for children and young people in and out of school.

Ms Campion-Smith said: "We went through a time when it was all about reading and writing but I think people realise now that education has to take a much more holistic approach.

"Some young people find it very hard to communicate but do very well in music and find that this is a different way to communicate.

"It can be useful for those struggling with more academic subjects."

The Bristol Music Education Hub will be up and running from August 2012, the council said.