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The Power of Music

The Power of Music, Dr Susan Hallam’s 2011 report about the impact of music on young people, isn’t easy to find online anymore, so I’ve posted links here: Full report: The power of music: its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people Youth Music position paper: summary of the full…

Advocating for music – sharing research more widely

I’ve been noticing for some time now how hard it is to find research evidence when you need it. Much of my work is about advocating for music, the arts, or a particular good cause. But although I often know there’s research out there to back up a particular case, I struggle to find it…

Campaigning for music education?

I read about this a while ago but it’s in the news again – U2 have made a massive investment in supporting music education in Ireland. They’re funding instruments and tuition for young people, through Music Generation, a five year programme that happens locally within a national framework. Their strapline is ‘making music education happen’.…

Promoting 21st century skills: education in Wales

Great blog by David Price about the different path that’s been taken in policy making and school regulation in Wales. And a striking example of students leading music learning from Willows High School. http://davidpriceblog.posterous.com/hold-the-front-page-if-you-build-a-system-aro

Apocalypse now for music education in Wales and England?

Music education in many places in Wales is in a dreadful state, and the situation doesn’t seem likely to improve any time soon. The Welsh Assembly Government’s long-awaited music education review was published six months ago now, and yet very little’s happened since. You can read more about this in my article (Music education in…

Wales: a land with less music?

Amid all the discussion and debate about the review of music education in England, there was also a review here in Wales. It was published, somewhat quietly, by Welsh Assembly Government some months ago – see my previous post, Wales’ music education review. I spoke to two of the people who were behind the original…

My personal wish list for music education in Wales

It’s been three months since the Welsh Assembly Government published their review of music education, and I’m just about to start talking to a few people involved in the sector to get their views. It’ll take me a while to write the article – which will be published in Sounding Board, the community music journal…

Healthy, social, creative – voluntary arts and long-term conditions

A new way of looking at creative activities and health – OTNews (professional magazine for occupational therapists) PrimaryHealthCare16-20JULY2011proof(1) – Primary Health Care (evidence-based journal for the nursing profession) Creative activities can change people’s lives, giving them a chance to participate, learn, reach their potential, find meaning and purpose, improve their self-confidence and much more. It can also improve…

England’s music education review – cause for celebration?

The Henley Review of Music Education in England and the government’s response were published last week. The headline news was that the government has promised one more year of ring-fenced funding for music, including local authority music services (who provide instrumental tutors to school, and run orchestras and other ensembles for students). But it also…

Wales’ music education review – it’s all gone quiet over here

I’m really baffled that no-one’s reporting or blogging about the Welsh Assembly Government’s review of music education. As far as I can see there was no official press release, there have been no reports in the main newspapers in Wales, and I’ve not found anything online except for a few short articles in the TES…

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