In the early 90's charges began to be introduced for instrumental tuition and music centres, until in 1994 the entire Music Service budget was delegated to schools. This had a major impact on instrumental teaching in the county as many schools (especially junior schools) who previously received instrumental tuition chose not to buy in the service with the result that the number of instrumental teachers employed by the Music Service was drastically reduced. Many of the staff negotiated their own contracts with schools and became self employed. Music centres had to become self financing which meant much extra work for music centre staff in looking after finances. Carlisle Music Centre is unique in the county in having its own premises (the others use schools) which is convenient but also expensive to maintain. Fortunately Cumbria County Council continues to meet these costs to a large extent but the Centre is continually having to find ways to raise funds in order meet costs. Charges for lessons and the lack of opportunity to learn an instrument in some junior schools has led to a reduction in the numbers of children learning certain instruments which in turn has had a detrimental effect on music centre activities.  However in spite of these difficulties Carlisle Music Centre continue to offer many different experiences of making music together and hopefully will continue to do so for many years to come.
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  Carlisle Music Centre is grateful for the continued support of