If you would like to read the full article on screen please click here or for an EasyPrint version, click here.

I cannot begin to imagine life without music. From my earliest days as a child in Salisbury Close I was brought up to make music and enjoy it. All my family played musical instruments - and we all sang. I played the violin and tuba - and I participated fully in the musical life of my schools and university, where I was a tenor Choral Exhibitioner at Clare College, Cambridge.

I sang in numerous choirs in Cambridge, Edinburgh and London - including the Monteverdi Choir and the Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields. Locally, I have sung with the Farrant Singers and for some years I have been privileged to be a Patron of the Salisbury Festival. When I was a Government Minister I had responsibility for the distribution of taxpayer's money to the performing arts.

I was brought up in the great western classical tradition - and from the point of view of a performer not only a listener. I have preferences and prejudices like everyone else - but my tastes are wide. Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Rachmaninov - are complemented by my memories of the Beatles as a child of the Sixties and my love of jazz.

To those who love music there is nothing more important than to keep music live (and music teachers solvent).

Is any music better than no music? I don't think so. The best and greatest musical performances are made by moments of silence - and silence is golden, too.

If you would like to read the full article on screen please click here or for an EasyPrint version, click here.