The new head of Luton Music Service ditched his retirement plans to take on the job.
In fact Graham Bland, 60, is so passionate about what he does that his enthusiasm is infectious.
He believes the National Plan for Music, which gives every child the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, will enhance children’s lives immeasurably.
He said: “Young people who learn to play a musical instrument do much better at everything else.
“They’re more literate, more numerate, and the transfer of skills is huge. Their concentration and team work abilities improve enormously. “The fact that we have a National Plan for Music is vital and the envy of many other countries that have yet to make such progress.
“It’s stripped away the elitist approach, the idea that only certain children can do music. Now everyone now has an opportunity to give it a go.”
He added: “Brass works very well in a class. Strings do too. Samba’s good because it includes a range of instruments such as surdo and agogo bells, as well as African drumming with djembe drums.
“And lap tops can be classed as musical instruments. You can download an iPad app used by professional musicians to create tracks.
“Music and technology have always worked well together – the key is making it relevant.”
The former choirboy and father-of-two has a fascinating CV. He’s been a professional musician, played in a jazz band, worked in a recording studio and is a qualified teacher.
Suited and booted, he looks like a typically successful executive.
But the gelled hair, ear-ring and twinkly eyes bear witness to his rugby playing and rock ‘n’ roll past.
The one-time director of Somerset Music said: “I saw the Luton Music Service job advertised and it excited me.
“It was a challenge, the sort of challenge – like managing a tight budget – that tempted me out of retirement.
“It’s been a fairly turbulent ride since I started in September but I’ve been impressed by the quality and expertise I’ve encountered.”
Graham has 26 teachers on his staff. They’re all involved with the Luton music education hub which was launched at Lea Manor last month.
He said: “It’s been a bit of a journey of discovery. But we have some good partners like Pax Nindi at the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, Luton Mela and Greenbank Music Village.” And he revealed what he regards as one of Luton’s best kept secrets – Icknield Junior School’s Saturday morning music sessions which feature beginners all the way up the scale to the more technically advanced.