John Witchell's Chief Executive blog

Amongst the many important activities taking place in music services throughout the FMS several national events are taking place this term.  First there is this year’s conference at the Beaumont Centre, Windsor on 1st and 2nd June.  Entitled ‘Making More of Music-Making’ the programme focuses on some very pressing issues that affect us all.  Here’s what’s in store.

On the first day after the Annual General Meeting, Paul Robertson will be reflecting on Music, Mind and Spirit.  He will, I’m sure renew our spirit.  Following  a performance of young people from Berkshire Maestros there are a range of seminars (which will run twice) as follows:

Update on National Curriculum Issues (Kevin Rogers)

Music and special needs (Bob Heath)

Great Expectations - an open discussion on the expectations of schools chaired by Mo Hanke with invited head teacher and director of a children’s service

Working with large group (Paul Harris in anticipation of a forthcoming publication relevant to Wider Opportunities)

Musicians’ health (Karenna Caun)

Kinaesthetic learning (Penny Stirling)

After time to visit the exhibition workshops and presentations will be offered by Ian Clethero on ‘Zone’ information (who are supporting) the conference, Val Whitlock, who is an inspiring singing teacher, Mark Burke on developments with Charanga, David Liggins on how the ocarina is being used across the country, Bill Martin on links between services and Yamaha (who continue to be a key sponsor of the FMS) and Abigail D’Amore on Musical Futures.   After all that we will have our conference reception and dinner.

We are delighted that Keith Swanwick joins us on the second day.  His keynote speech will focus on the sensitive issue of progression - the vertical and horizontal.  In boisterous mood we will be joined by Tom Service of the BBC Radio 3 Music Matters programme, who will open a debate on music education, the title of which is still to be decided, but which will capture some of his thought-provoking views.  Two more keynote presentations will then be made: the first by Anne Bamford, who will relate our impact assessment of Wider Opportunities with ‘the Wow Factor’; the second by Lucy Green who will bring us up to date with her research on informal approaches to learning  - the aural and the instrumental.  In all these presentations I am sure that we will be inspired and challenged. 

The conference is filling up fast, so if you haven’t already done so, please complete the online application.  We can’t guarantee additional places at the conference beyond 180.  And talking of the centre I hope you will delighted with what it offers.  It really does provide first class conference and residential facilities.

This term the impact assessment of Wider Opportunities will be taking place.  May I thank all those services who have provided details of their participating schools?  We aim to contact all 7,000 so that we see the first complete picture of the impact across the country.  Anne Bamford, our lead researcher, will be visiting eight music services for a closer look at what’s going on and by the autumn we hope to have some evidence to report back to you and to the DCSF.  I believe that this evaluation is one of the most important pieces of work that the FMS has commissioned.  We need to be absolutely clear about what Wider Opportunities does for schools and children.  We need to tell the story, share good practice and take note of those aspects that we can improve.

I wish also to thank all those who have so readily engaged in self evaluation.  The feedback from everyone - heads of services, MSEPs and even directors of children’s services continues to be extremely positive.  I have no doubt about the benefits that this process has brought to services and I am heartened to hear about how it has helped services to focus their minds on the central issue of delivering the very best service possible for our schools and children.  This term the six pilot services will be exploring the second ‘review’ visit.  A framwork is in the final stages of completion so that the reviews can be carried economically and systematically.  However, if you are a service that is still waiting for its first MSEP visit, may I remind you that one of the most important preparation tasks is to complete as much of the Self Evaluation Form as possible with your teams in advance.  Don’t regard this as an extra chore, but as essential, integral and routine process of good planning.

Richard Hallam continues to support us all in his work as Participation Director and is making rapid progress in driving the Local Area Music Plans (LAMPs).  I know that he is grateful to everyone for completing the first plans and impressed with range of ambitious activities taking place.  It is critical that we continue to support him this year, knowing that we are providing him with evidence to argue the case for music service provision with ministers and officers at the DCSF.

All these things are additional to the music making that you generate from day to day.  I think you would agree that there are more demands on music services than ever before.  As Ofsted reported, the impact of music services on schools is significant.  So take care, harness your passion and measure your energy so that you also can also have time to experience the joys of music.  I hope to see everyone at the conference.  I wish everyone much success in their music making this term.

John Witchell

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 9:54 pm and is filed under Blog.

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