Berkshire Music Hub Schools Conference 2024 – Making Music for Everyone
Session outlines and presenter Biogs
Keynote Lecture
We all know the immense joys and benefits that come from learning music. For many of us, it’s because of these joys and benefits that we became music educators ourselves. Having said that, when posed with the question of why music is important, or why a child should learn a musical instrument, it can be hard to put it all into clear, succinct language. In this session, I’ll share my approach to music advocacy, which I like to call ‘The Alternate Universe We Create’. I’ll explore the importance of the environment we create for young people, how we create it, and the impact it has on their lives while at school and beyond, leaving you with some advocacy ideas and reflective tools to help you build upon the great work you’re already doing. You’ll leave this session with a spring in your step, and a renewed passion for the greatest job in the world.
Mark Phillips – Primary and Secondary Music
In his sessions, using the published National Curriculum as his staring point, Mark will explore the importance of building a music curriculum and teaching practice that enables pupils to develop progressively in the three key areas that contribute to developing musical understanding – technical knowledge, constructive knowledge and expressive knowledge.
Mark will explain why a curriculum is more than a scheme of work, and why, however detailed and ‘compliant’ the scheme appears to be, musical leadership and response from the teacher is crucial. He will explore the challenges of assessment, particularly in the context of whole-school policies and initiatives that don’t always seem appropriate to musical teaching and learning – and explore how to senior leaders in schools can be engaged to understand why music and musical teaching is important.
Finally, Mark will explore how additional musical activities – including whole-class instrumental teaching in primary schools – can complement and strengthen (but not replace) the musical curriculum.
Digital Music Creation
Hub partners Rock Academy Foundation explore the benefits of using music technology as a gateway for students who don’t play an instrument. Explore the process of using a music software package to explore loops, samples and synths and mix your own original track. All equipment will be provided for these sessions and you don’t need any prior musical experience to be involved. Just bring your enthusiasm and creativity and learn how to create your own original music.
Royal Opera House Create & Sing
Join two artists from the Royal Opera to find out more about the award-winning Create & Sing programme.
Create & Sing is FREE, curriculum-led and available to all schools across the nation. It includes full day teacher training, comprehensive lesson resources, and digital live lessons to bring the Royal Opera into your classroom.
In this practical taster session you will:
– Be introduced to the building blocks of dramatic singing. Create & Sing combines music and drama to build pupils’ self-expression, creative collaboration, performance confidence, voice, movement, and memory skills
– Explore how the programme meets the music curriculum outcomes and progression for KS1-3
– Find out about new SEND resources and CPD, launching in January 2025 – and gain early access!
Resonant Horizons
Introduction to Digital Music Resources (15 minutes):
_ Overview of Conductive Music’s approach to integrating music and technology in schools.
_ Links to user-friendly digital music tools such as Chrome Music Lab, Blob Opera, and others suitable for Key Stages 1, 2, and 3.
Interactive Musical Video Game Activity (30 minutes):
_ The concept of a Musical Video Game as a hands-on activity.
_ Step-by-step guide for participants to create part of the game using their phones, tablets, or laptops.
_ How this activity can be adapted for various educational settings and student age groups.
Q&A and Future Opportunities (10 minutes):
_ Discussion on challenges and ideas related to implementing digital music tools in education.
_ Information on available slots for summer term workshops, particularly focusing on the transition period from Year 6 to 7.
ABRSM
Join us for an engaging session that explores how ABRSM’s Classroom 200 can be used to develop children’s musicianship in an inclusive and accessible way. This session is designed to support all learners, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), by using simple, interactive games that encourage movement, singing, and deep musical exploration. You’ll discover how to adapt these activities to ensure every child can participate fully, and gain practical tips on enhancing listening and appraisal skills with an exciting piece of music. Whether you’re working with a diverse group or focusing on individual needs, this session will provide you with the tools to make music education truly accessible for everyone. Register for classroom 200 in advance to get the best out of this session. Classroom 200 (abrsm.org)
Steel Band Music
Hub partners Culture Mix will introduce delegates will introduce delegates to the history and origins of the steel pan followed by a brief introduction to each instrument in the steel percussion orchestra (steel band). Delegates will work in pairs taking turns to learn the basic rudiments followed by learning a familiar piece of music.