Representatives from Australia’s musical organisations are weighing in on a debate about the teaching of musical notation to children following a furore that started in the UK. An article in the Guardian titled Music is Now Only for the White and Wealthy sparked intense debate by suggesting that teaching children musical notation is “elitist”. The article by Charlotte Gill, in which she recounts her own experiences in the UK’s music education system, provoked an outcry from many in the music community, with a letter to the Guardian by pianist Ian Pace – that accused the article of “anti-intellectualism” and “romanticisation of illiteracy” – garnering over 650 signatures, including from high profile musicians like Sir Simon Rattle and Steven Isserlis.

The furore has encouraged debate on the issue of teaching music notation in Australia, with Richard Gill describing the notion that teaching children music notation is elitist as “a strange idea indeed.”

“We already have enough dumb people in the world, which is why we try to give children the very best where possible, including the teaching of musical notation,” he said.

Composer and Artistic Director of Musica Viva Carl Vine has...