The youth orchestra I attended has had budget cuts from the council throughout my attendance from age 9-18 and so some of the bands I was in were cut; but it's come out that the whole of the grant has been cut and it will be closing down at the end of the year. It's just such a shame because the money is a drop in the ocean when it comes to the big finance picture for them I'm sure! And they've been cutting back all this time to the bare minmum, why close it down?
I appreciate that there are thousands of little things that need some money from the government and it doesn't affect me directly because I've left now! I just feel for the musicians in the lower bands who won't get to play at the Royal Albert Hall or go on music tours to Brittany, Venice, Barcelona. The music was astounding quality but even then came second to making friends.
It's hard to explain but it's been a big part of my life and has moulded me as a person; everyone should have that opportunity.