Acorn4
"On the question of the better standard of performance in Ireland, could that partly be due to the seriousness with which music is taken in schools there compared to England?"
No-it's because of the fact that the music is taken seriously - period.
Over the last few years the music here has made enormous strides because it has become recognised as a serious performing art. Youngsters are flocking to it, guaranteeing that it will survive for at least another two generations. One of the basic differences has been that there has been a move towards traditional music by the musicians and singers rather than away from it, as seems to be the case in the UK - in other words, you know what you are going to find when you open the tin.
Sorry - I'm really having to take part in this discussion on the move; the West Clare Traditional Singing Festival starts here tonight where I guarantee there won't be a crib-sheet in sight, where the general standard of singing will knock your eye out and where nobody will say "We have enough masters, without adding more." It's called 'having pride in what you do'
I'll be back sucker.
Jim Carroll