Press
ABRSM to sponsor FMS during 2010–11
ABRSM, the world’s leading authority on musical assessment, is to sponsor the Federation of Music Services (FMS) for the academic year September 2010 to August 2011. John Witchell, Chief Executive of FMS, announced the sponsorship agreement at the FMS Conference 2010 in Belfast (16–18 June). The grant will support the ongoing promotion and provision of the 12- month FMS course “Rising with the tide: managing and leading music services in the 21st century”.
Rising with the tide
Launched in 2010, the course aims to support beginning, developing and established leaders, both individually and collaboratively, in building professional knowledge around learning- centred leadership. The programme extends over 12 months and seeks to enhance school leadership capability and capacity across local authorities in England and Wales, by engaging individuals in a series of innovative development sessions.
A sustained relationship
ABRSM has sponsored a series of FMS activities since 2004. The two organisations announced a new consultancy partnership in 2008 in which ABRSM, through its Director of Professional Development Richard Crozier, would provide FMS with consultancy on professional development within music services at a strategic level. The development and launch of ‘Rising with the tide’ has been a major part of Crozier’s role as consultant.
Guy Perricone, Chief Executive of ABRSM, said: “ABRSM recognises that Music Services make a vital contribution to the teaching and learning of music across the country. We are delighted to continue supporting FMS – and specifically the course ‘Rising with the tide’ – as part of our sponsorship programme for music education organisations in the UK.”
John Witchell, Chief Executive of FMS, said: “Music services in the FMS truly appreciate the ongoing support from ABRSM. This year, as we develop the leadership training programme, we are particularly pleased that ABRSM will be directly supporting colleagues who are preparing for
leadership and management posts in music services. The partnership between the two organisations is testimony to the dedication of those who are committed to the values of music education.”
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New Chief Executive appointed at the Federation of Music Services
The Federation of Music Services (FMS), the organisation that represents all music services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has announced that Virginia Haworth-Galt is to become its new Chief Executive. She takes up the post on the 9th August 2010.
Ms Haworth-Galt is the first FMS chief executive to come from outside the world of music services and her appointment signals a mood of change within the music education sector as budgets come under scrutiny and streamlining of services moves into sharper focus.
Ms Haworth-Galt was previously Chief Executive of Artswork, the national youth development agency that provides a range of creative and cultural opportunities for Young People at Risk, which she is credited with steering to national prominence. She has worked closely with both the DCMS, DCSF (now Dept for Education) and the Arts Council and has been an adviser to the Secretary of State for Culture in matters concerning cultural provision and the interests of Young People at Risk. Ms Haworth-Galt also has a strong background in advocacy and communication for the arts sector both regionally and nationally.
The outgoing FMS Chief Executive, John Witchell, said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Virginia’s talent and experience to help lead the FMS through the challenging times that lie ahead. The role of the Federation in education has never been more crucial: music’s contribution to the wellbeing of our children’s cultural development is inestimable. I am certain that Virginia will ensure that access to music for all young people will remain at the forefront of the educational agenda.”
Ms Haworth-Galt commented:” I am very much looking forward to joining the FMS. It is an influential and well-respected organisation and I am excited about building on the excellent work that has been done in recent years, working with its members on new developments and reinforcing the Federation’s key role on the educational and cultural agendas of the day.”
The Greater London Authority (GLA) Music Education Programme
Mayor’s music education fund
A £100,000 grant was announced this week to seed fund partnerships between local authority music services and orchestras and ensembles in London. The programme will open in May 2010 and will cover projects in the academic year September 2010 to July 2011. The aim is to give young people the experience of working with professional musicians, encouraging them to make music in ensembles whilst helping to raise their musical aspirations. It will also strengthen and deepen the partnership working between London’s music services and the orchestral sector. The fund will be administered by the GLA in partnership with the Federation of Music Services’ London region, and working closely in the first instance with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO).
The GLA Music Education Programme steering board will be chaired by Karen Brock, Head of Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES).
You can download a copy of the GLA Music Education Strategy here:
Making Music Matter - Music Education Strategy for London 2010-2012
Joint FMS/Sing Up Collaboration Celebrates with 3500 Young Performers at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall
A unique collaboration of 14 West Midlands Music Services, which form the National Sing up Project West Midlands Consortium, was rewarded with a successful Sing Up event held on Monday 26 January at Birmingham’s prestigious Symphony Hall.
The combined event involved over a 3500 KS1 and 2 young singers, and nearly 500 teachers and other adults as part of a huge CPD input, in two singing workshops led by vocal supremo, Lin Marsh, together with singing leaders from each of the authorities. Both workshops included specially written material by Lin Marsh and a versatile band which accompanied the pieces.
In the evening the Sing Up event culminated in a spectacular massed transition choir featuring 350 children from across the region; it was directed by the well known conductor, David Lawrence and presented by BBC Midlands Today host, Michael Collie. Lichfield Cathedral Girl’s Choir, City of Birmingham Young Voices and choirs from a selection of Music Services provided solo performances.
Head of Birmingham Music Services and FMS national executive member, John Clemson, commented: “This is a huge credit to all the music services that took part and a great example of what can be done by combining the regional resources of Music Services and harnessing the power of so many young voices!”
ENDS
Note 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 more than 160 Music Services organisations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, of which 156 are members of the FMS. 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 10,000 people nationwide.
For further information contact: Douglas Adamson
Mobile: 07860 420763
Telephone: 01423 569000
Email: douglas@watershed-consulting.com