A CHARITY has called for a greater use of digital technology to teach music in rural schools after an online pilot study led to almost 80 per cent more children taking up instrumental lessons.

Youth music development organisation NYMAZ said 70 per cent of pupils at seven primary schools in North Yorkshire, including Carlton Miniott, Goathland and Hawes, said they enjoyed the internet music lessons "very much" after the trial scheme.

The trial took place in England's largest county as peripatetic music teachers' travel time between schools in the area is equivalent to 4.2 full-time members of staff.

Earlier this year, the charity warned children in rural areas without access to music tuition faced further isolation and highlighted the benefits that participating in music can bring to children's life chances, such as enhanced social and personal skills, which influence their future employability.

During the pilot, North Yorkshire County Council music service’s peripatetic teachers explored ways of teaching online from a base set up with low-cost technology.

Lessons were conducted using a video, audio mixer and streamer, along with three cameras - to allow pupils and teachers to see different views, including close-ups - microphones, and Skype.

NYMAZ said it was found the equipment provided a balance between quality of sound and image, and value for money, with 79.5 per cent of parents saying they would not have tried to find instrumental lessons for their children had the opportunity not been available.

The project, which also involved the University of Hull and technologists from UCan Play, concluded that if Music Education Hubs across the country were set up with specialist facilities, they would have the potential to reach a greater number of pupils and widen access to music education for all.

Heidi Johnson, Director of NYMAZ, said: “Children living in rural areas currently miss out when it comes to music education. The use of digital technology could put an end to that inequality and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure it happens.

“It’s an incredible step forward for music education.

"Music teachers in rural areas could spend far less time on the road between schools and more time teaching, meaning that more children would be able to receive lessons – in particular those in very small or very rural schools who currently miss out – as well as having access to a greater choice of instruments.”