The recently published report featuring the initial findings and recommendations of the Curriculum Review has been welcomed by the Federation of Music Services (FMS) who represent Music Services, Music Education Hubs and 12000 music teachers.
The retention of music at Key Stages 1-3 and the highlighting of sound reasons why music and the arts should be part of Key Stage 4 is an exciting and thoughtful step forward if adopted.
Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education said in his written ministerial statement accompanying the review:
“The Expert Panel argues that England narrows its curriculum for the majority of pupils too early.”
The report goes on to recognize:
· the importance of pupils acquiring knowledge of their cultural heritage
· that a good arts and music education benefits individuals, their communities and the nation as a whole
· arts subjects in the curriculum have the potential to meet aims and purposes in all four curriculum domains – economic, cultural, social and personal.
Virginia Haworth-Galt, FMS Chief Executive said:
“We urge the Government to accept these recommendations and charge the arts education sector to join up the thinking between the Curriculum Review, the National Plan for Music Education and Darren Henley’s forthcoming review of cultural education. This conjunction will make music and the arts a driver for the wider achievement of children and young people.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The FMS is a registered charity that was formed in the 1990s to help the regional music services organisations to be more effective and represent them in dealing with central and local government.
2. There are 165 Music Services organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are members of the FMS (99% of all Music Services). Their role is to provide primary and secondary schools with all that they need to teach music: they set standards, provide teaching aids, equipment and training for heads of music/music teachers. They employ about 12,000 music teachers, music tutors and assistants nationwide and teach over 2 million pupils every year. FMS members are the backbone of music education in this country.
For further information and interviews contact:
virginia.haworth-galt@federationmusic.org.uk
Ms Virginia Haworth-Galt 01722 412829
douglas@watershed-consulting.com
Douglas Adamson 01423 755009 or 07860 420763
The Expert Panel’s full report and recommendations are available on the Department for Education’s website: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-00135-2011
FMS to share hub skills with wider music education industry audiences
FMS is delighted to launch a Hub Associate Membership scheme. With effect from 1st January 2012, individuals, schools and business organisations can become Federation of Music Services (FMS) Hub Associate Members.
The offer reflects the fast changing landscape of music education as Music Education Hubs become the new focus for music and arts education in schools and communities. The new membership level will be known as Hub Associate and will be open to peripatetic and classroom teachers and musicians working with children and young people, school leaders and heads of music departments and organisations and businesses who are supporters of music in Hubs.
“Hubs mean closer links with schools, businesses, arts organisations and individuals involved in music education. Hub Associate Members will now have a voice and a forum for debate. This has to be a positive move forward and I urge all those involved in music education to get behind this new membership scheme.” Virginia Haworth-Galt
A copy of the FMS Hub Associate Membership Leaflet is available for download.
For more information call the membership hotline on 01722 412829 or email hubassociate@federationmusic.org.uk.
The awaited National Plan for Music Education (The Importance of Music) announced today gives a clear signal to all schools that music should be part of the educational curriculum across the age spectrum. This vision and ambition is welcomed. The National Plan will only be achieved within the reduced funding confines if all the parties engage in genuine and positive partnerships. These must have the core aims of benefiting all children and young people and maintaining the quality of provision.
Music education recognised
Virginia Haworth-Galt, the Federation of Music Services (FMS) Chief Executive, said:
“The FMS welcomes the Government’s introduction of a National Plan for Music Education with protected funding over three years. We are pleased that the ambition of the plan focuses on core Music Service principles of first access, progression, ensembles and singing; we believe that Hubs can build on the work of Music Services and schools and will improve the opportunities for all children and young people. We note the Government’s anticipation that Music Services will be well placed to drive this work forward within the new Hub structures and look forward to rising to the challenges ahead.
“The FMS will work alongside Arts Council colleagues to ensure that music and vocal tuition maintains its educational rigour and discipline.”
Music Education Hubs
The principle of working hand-in-hand with more arts related bodies to maximise budgets, teaching power and resources is recognised as fundamental in achieving the aspiration of supporting more children irrespective of age and ability. Many Music Services already work in close partnership with other music and arts providers to support children and schools in preparation for the Hub bidding process.
The FMS is resolute that transparency and impartiality during the bidding stages is maintained to ensure that this process delivers the successful outcomes everyone seeks.
Support
The FMS is supporting Music Services through training and consultancy on the preparation of bids to run Music Education Hubs. The relevance of the FMS’ Open University accredited management training course ‘Rising with the Tide’ has been recognised by Government (Para 69 The Importance of Music) and will be continued.
In a separate move the FMS is well underway with plans to widen its membership base to include a wider cross section of music and arts providers. More details will be announced very shortly.
Teacher training standards
The FMS represents 12,000 qualified and assessed music teachers. Quality teaching has always been the hallmark of Music Services’ offer to schools. The Teaching Agency’s plan to include add-on modules for classroom teachers in the summer of 2012 to improve musical teaching standards is welcome together with a music educator qualification and more robust monitoring and benchmarking of music provision in schools by Ofsted.
Funding
Virginia Haworth-Galt commented: “The FMS is heartened by the support shown by the Government with a three year Music Grant award totalling £202 million. However, we still remain concerned that when this reduction in central funding is added to the many local authority cuts already announced there will be a detrimental effect on overall music provision. Unless Hubs can tap into other external reserves of funding quickly there will be less money available in the short term. This must jeopardise opportunities for children and put at risk the quality of provision. The wide range of music being taught and the sustainability of some ensembles and orchestras will also be thrown into doubt unless outside funds are realised to bridge the gaps.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The FMS is a registered charity that was formed in the 1990s to help the regional music services organisations to be more effective and represent them in dealing with central and local government.
2. There are 165 Music Services organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are members of the FMS (99% of all Music Services). Their role is to provide primary and secondary schools with all that they need to teach music: they set standards, provide teaching aids, equipment and training for heads of music/music teachers. They employ about 12,000 music teachers, music tutors and assistants nationwide and teach over 2 million pupils every year. FMS members are the backbone of music education in this country.
For further information and interviews contact:
virginia.haworth-galt@federationmusic.org.uk
Ms Virginia Haworth-Galt 01943 463311
douglas@watershed-consulting.com
Douglas Adamson 01423 755009 or 07860 420763
Two new prizes have just been announced for Classical artists entering Next BRIT thing - www.nextbritthing.com
The winner of the Next BRIT thing classical category will get to perform at the Royal Albert Hall and their performance will be broadcast nationwide on ClassicFM.
This is in addition to a share of £10,000 of music equipment for students and schools and a master class with industry experts and performers.
Students have until 16th December to enter their performances as audio or video and compete in the Official UK youth chart.
For young composers there is an additional prize for best original composition that is supported by PRS for Music
For more information and video interviews with classical performers and composers visit www.nextbritthing.com
The National Music Council (NMC) has announced that from a record number of applications the Major Trophy has been awarded to Blackpool for outstanding work during the past year; FMS member Andrew White, who is the Music Adviser for Blackpool, said that he was ‘proud and elated’ by the news and that the award would have a massive positive impact upon all involved in Blackpool Music Service, allowing them to collectively celebrate their achievements, have pride in what they do and increase their personal aspirations.
Diplomas of Merit have been awarded to Bolton, Devon, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Southampton, Staffordshire and Tower Hamlets. The awards will be presented by Darren Henley the Managing Director of Classic FM, on Monday 7 November at the Southbank Centre in London. At the same time the PRS Foundation will also award a Diploma of Special Merit to East Lothian for their commitment to creative music making.
The NMC LA Music Education Awards Scheme (co-ordinated with the assistance of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Federation of Music Services) has been in existence for over 35 years. The annual awarding of a Major Trophy and a variable number of Diplomas allows NMC to provide recognition to local authorities that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to music education provision in a particular year. Reports from previous years can be found at: www.nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk
For further information or if you would like to attend the Awards ceremony, please contact
Harriette Goldsmith at the National Music Council
Tel 01707 662662
Email info@nationalmusiccouncil.org.uk
FMS Members' Photos
Photos from our Music Service members.
FMS Members' Videos
Videos from our Music Service members.
