THE ASTI, in conjunction with the RDS, is hoping to boost the position of music in schools and the morale of music teachers by holding a "celebration of music in our schools" on March 2nd in the RDS, Dublin.

John Mulcahy, ASTI vice president and acting education officer, says that there are a number of reasons why music is often called the Cinderella of subjects, including the perception that is impossible to get high grades, the pressure to choose more vocational subjects and the availability of music outside the formal school system.

The "celebration" is the culmination of a project organised by the ASTI which attracted entries from 120 second level schools and featured pop, rock, instrumental, choral, traditional, classical and jazz music. The best 18 entries from the six regional heats will compete for the RDS gold medal.

The event is in front of an invited audience of Government ministers, Department of Education officials, representatives of cultural organisations and the partners in education.