I'm all for financing all aspects of youth music - I'm involved with schools regional music, and folk. I just sometimes feel that folk gets forgotten, or ignored.

We have in our circle of (young) friends many performers; the orchestral ones play in established orchestras (nothing wrong with that). The rock and folk players form bands.

I would extend Kevin's question and ask how many young people are exposed to folk instruments as part of their education. Given the choice and the information it might be that the concertina gets chosen over the oboe

Stu