Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and Harry Styles Join Forces to Prevent Closure of Cardiff University’s School of Music
In a heartfelt plea to save Cardiff University’s esteemed School of Music, music icons Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and Harry Styles have joined forces alongside other notable celebrities. The university is facing the threat of closure for its music department as part of proposed budget cuts, with the institution grappling with a deficit upwards of £31m. The call for intervention has been made through a poignant letter, spearheaded by Ed Sheeran and signed by a constellation of megastars and supporters, urging the Prime Minister to step in and safeguard the future of music education.
The letter specifically calls upon Keir Starmer to halt the closures of university music departments, particularly highlighting Cardiff University, and allocate £250m towards music education. This move comes in the wake of a previous open letter opposing the cuts, which was supported by global luminaries and artists such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Ed Sheeran, a vocal advocate for music funding and support through his newly launched Ed Sheeran Foundation, asserts that despite the music industry’s significant contribution of £7.6bn to the UK economy, there is a critical gap in nurturing the next generation of talent.
Highlighting a concerning trend, the letter underscores that last year marked the first time in over two decades without a UK global top 10 single or album in the charts. The outcry to safeguard Cardiff University’s music school resonates with widespread disapproval over the proposed cuts, which also encompass the elimination of 355 jobs and the closure of several other departments, including nursing, modern foreign languages, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. The support garnered by the stars echoes Ed Sheeran’s appeal to the UK government to establish a collaborative task force that prioritises the preservation of music education.
The letter, personally addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, encapsulates the collective voice of artists, civil society, and the music industry, championing the inherent value of music and the boundless opportunities it offers, particularly under Labour’s ethos. Stressing the alarming decline in music provisions within state schools, where 93% of the nation’s children are educated, the letter underscores the urgent need to address the issue. Moreover, it commends Lisa Nandy’s 10-point plan for music education, presented in the House of Commons in January 2025, while urging other key figures to champion the cause as well.
The comprehensive letter articulates a multi-faceted approach to revitalise music education, calling for a £250m UK music education package to rectify years of neglect and disinvestment in music programs. The proposal advocates for a cross-departmental strategy involving areas such as Culture, Education, Foreign Office, Health & Social Care, and Business and Trade. It emphasises the necessity of inclusive music education that benefits all individuals, not just a select few. The collective plea set forth in the letter outlines a five-point agenda to safeguard and enhance music education, ranging from funding music programs in schools to diversifying the curriculum to reflect industry needs.
In a rare show of solidarity, the letter is signed by an extensive list of artists and advocates from the music industry and education sector, further amplifying the urgency and significance of preserving music education in the UK. The united front presented by Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, and other prominent figures underscores the transformative power of music and the profound impact it has on society. As the campaign to prevent the closure of Cardiff University’s School of Music gains momentum, the collective voice of these influential figures serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable role that music plays in shaping the cultural landscape and nurturing future talents.