I don't know how it is in the UK - having moved to the West of Ireland eight years ago.
I know that the number of youngsters playing music here has increased enormously over the last few years and many of them are now taking pupils themselves.
Last Saint Patrick's day here in Miltown Malbay there were around fifty school-aged children on the parade playing instruments, nearly all pupils of local volunteer teachers. There isn't a local Comhaltas branch here.
I have seen the competition ethic drive hundreds of youngsters away from music while I was living in London - killing their interest forever.
It seems that now youngsters are playing purely for the love of it.
Long may that continue to be the case.
Jim Carroll