Rally to protest music school fees

UP to 1,000 people are expected to attend a rally in Waterford today to protest at what local parents describe as the “slow strangulation” of one of the country’s most successful music schools.

Despite agreement yesterday not to proceed with closure of the city’s School of Music, as had been threatened, the board of governors announced plans to place a moratorium on new entrants and introduce a 20% increase in tuition fees.

“Classes resume at the School on September 6 when pupils who registered with the school in the 2003-4 academic year will be able to continue their music studies,” it said in a statement.