It’s always the newspeak that lacerates. The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) has, admirably, set up a new foundation year for ‘talented young musicians who have previously faced significant obstacles’, specifically the decline in music education in so many secondary schools – and indeed, the total absence in some.

The foundation course will start in July with five students. They will also get accommodation in University of London halls of residence, financial assistance to buy an instrument and a bursary to cover living costs. It’s an excellent plan, in theory, to try to ensure that one of our best conservatoires doesn’t miss out on untapped young talent and, perhaps even more so, vice versa. 

But here’s the newspeak. How do you think the RAM is going about what it calls its plan for ‘widening participation’ (which is of itself a wonderful idea)? Here’s how: by actually restricting the pool of ‘talented young musicians’ who can apply for the course. Seriously.

The RAM presumably thinks it is on the side of the........

© The Spectator