Musical training and politics: a chronicle
The story of how musical training came to be enshrined in the Federal Constitution reads like a detective story. A novel with ups and downs, difficult passages, but which also pays tribute to the strong relationships forged between the associations.
In autumn 2012, cries of joy ran through the Swiss music scene: the people and cantons had overwhelmingly accepted the "youth+music" initiative. "A resounding success," notes Christine Bouvard, ex-president of ASEM, who was at the forefront of the voting campaign and implementation work. On behalf of ASEM, she has just published a chronicle retracing the high points of this story. "We were all very moved," she explains. "Nevertheless, we were aware that the work had only just begun. Here's a look back at the main stages of this process.
2008: The "Youth and Music" popular initiative is submitted.
More than twenty associations from the Swiss music sector have joined forces to develop the text of the initiative with a broadly-based political committee, with the aim of encouraging musical training in Switzerland. The demands relate to the following areas:
- General encouragement: Equal opportunities and access to musical training for all children and young people in schools, music schools and the amateur sector.
- Basic encouragement: High quality musical training from school to tertiary level.
- Encouraging talent: Encouraging young musical talent as part of a national strategy.
The initiative is submitted with over 150,000 signatures. The first setback: the Federal Council and Parliament refuse to interfere with cantonal sovereignty in educational matters.
2012: Confederation counter-proposal
The Federal Council decided in favor of a counter-proposal. After carefully assessing the situation, the initiative committee decides to withdraw the popular initiative, in the hope that implementation will follow the original demands.
September 23, 2012: Three-quarters yes!
The Confederation's counter-proposal on musical training is accepted by 72.7% of the vote. The associations take the liberty of celebrating this victory, although they are aware that it is only a first step.
2018: General promotion through "Youth and Music".
The Confederation adopts the "Youth and Music" program, laying the foundations for general support. In addition, Art. 12a of the Cultural Promotion Act was added to regulate fees for music schools. This second point has been heavily criticized by music industry associations, not least because it misses the initial objective of harmonizing public contributions across Switzerland. An initial evaluation by the FOC in 2019 gives the "Youth and Music Program" a good rating, but considers that Article 12a and the measures relating to school fees have not been effective. In an OFC survey of all music schools, around 40% of the directors questioned said that access to their school was not equal opportunity friendly.
2022: Fostering talent with the "Jeunes Talents Musique" program
In 2022, the FOC launches the framework concept for the "Jeunes Talents Musique" program. The document defines the basic and formal conditions for musical talent, and regulates the financial support provided by the Confederation to the cantons.
Basic support: what's next?
The Confederation leaves the cantons full responsibility for implementing Article 67a of the Swiss Constitution on the question of basic support (paragraph 2, music teaching in schools). Ten years after the vote, it has to be said that no significant changes have been made. In its position paper on the Message Culture 2025-2028, ASEM proposes to organize a round table with all the associations concerned, as well as the Swiss Confederation and the EDK.
After completing her work on the chronicle (downloadable from the ASEM website), Christine Bouvard has one memory above all: that of solidarity between the associations. "It was teamwork for a common cause", she says. With regard to the initial objectives that have not yet been achieved, particularly in the implementation of art. 67a, para. 2, she explains: "Political work is not like a construction project - it is constantly evolving, with advances and sometimes setbacks." She wishes the presidents of the music associations much courage and perseverance in their commitment to musical training in Switzerland.
