Learning through music
[PODCAST] [5] Making music education a core subject in the poorest schools in New York – Education Through Music
In this episode, I’m talking with Penny Swift, Executive Director and Katherine Damkohler, Director of National Activities of Education Through Music (ETM). ETM is a New York-based organisation working with under-resourced schools to provide music education as a core subject for all students. It has experienced significant growth over the last few years, and has…
Read More[PODCAST] [4] Young people, music mentoring and digital stories – with Simon Glenister of Noise Solution
In this episode, I’m talking with Simon Glenister, Director of Noise Solution, a social enterprise based in Bury St Edmunds which provides 1-1 music mentoring programmes using music technology for young people in challenging circumstances. Noise Solution is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the business model is unusual for this sector – Noise…
Read MoreWhat can music & creative education advocates learn from sports about behaviour change?
This week, I was at a meeting about the strategy for young people’s health and wellbeing in Gloucestershire*. A presentation from Active Gloucestershire really started me thinking. What could we in the cultural and creative learning sector – and particularly music – learn from sports charities about behaviour change? The presentation was about Gloucestershire’s pilot…
Read MoreNew book by Dr Anita Collins – The Lullaby Effect – lifting the lid on early years music research
If, like me, you find that it’s a constant battle to make sense of all the recent claims for the benefits of music making and learning in early years, then a brilliant new book by my colleague and friend Anita Collins – The Lullaby Effect – will be a welcome relief. It’s not very often…
Read MoreMarketing music lessons – why parents aren’t buying and how to change that -Part 2
Encouraging young people to take up music lessons – and their parents to part with the money – can seem like an uphill battle. This is part 2 of the series, see also Marketing music lessons – why parents aren’t buying and how to change that – part 1. Involve young people and parents The most…
Read MoreMarketing music lessons – why parents aren’t buying and how to change that – part 1 of 2
Encouraging more young people to take up music lessons – and their parents/carers to part with the money – can seem like an uphill battle. Perhaps it feels like something you’re powerless to control. Or maybe you don’t think it’s your role – particularly if you’re a music education hub in England without a peripatetic…
Read MoreBreaking the mould: new models for teaching whole class music in Wiltshire
One of the main elements of the National Plan for Music Education is for Music Education Hubs to ensure all children and young people learn a musical instrument through whole class teaching. A tall order perhaps, when primaries are facing continued budget cuts, a decline in specialist music teachers, and in some cases, greater responsibility…
Read MoreSoundfly – a new kind of music school for today’s musician
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-fubeloWxE] In a co-working space in Brooklyn, New York, Ian Temple and his team – including remote working colleagues in LA, Montreal, Georgia and North Carolina – have been developing a platform designed to help today’s musician develop their skills and their business. Soundfly offers a range of cross-genre and cross-skills-set courses, many free,…
Read MoreUseful learning for music / challenging circumstances from Cabinet office funded impact audit
Source: Cabinet office funded impact audit states Noise Solution is “statistically significant”! read the report on our new website
Read MoreIs music good for my child?
We all know, instinctively, that music is good for us, and for our children. And despite the continuing cuts in funding, those responsible for our education systems across the world still tend to prioritise music above other arts. References are often made to music’s ‘instrumental’ benefits – improving academic achievement, personal development, and life skills.…
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