“At its best, a sound Cultural Education should allow children to gain knowledge through the learning of facts; understanding through the development of their critical faculties and skills through the opportunity to practise specific art forms.”

Music Services have long been at the forefront of children’s cultural education and FMS endorses a clear articulation of the importance of the quality of the interaction and the age appropriateness of it.  FMS therefore fully supports Recommendation 3 which calls for a New National Plan for Cultural Education, setting out ambitions for all children and young people, no matter what their abilities or circumstances are, and providing a delivery framework.

FMS joins with Darren Henley in reiterating agreement with the National Curriculum Expert Panel’s recommendations that art & design and music should be Foundation subjects of the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 to 3 and that the arts should be compulsory at Key Stage 4.

The review points out the key role which Schools and Local Authorities play in supporting children’s cultural education.  Music Services continue to drive much of this work forward, specifically via their key role in the newly emerging ‘Music Education Hubs’. FMS supports Recommendation 7 which focuses on local partnerships and suggests a widening out of the work of music education hubs to underpin the local delivery of cultural education.

The Review examines the need to have a common view of excellence and FMS supports Recommendation 13 tasking Ofsted to develop a common quality assurance framework.

Virginia Haworth-Galt, the FMS Chief Executive, said:

“The FMS recognises this as a visionary document containing many exciting and strategic developments which will help improve the cultural education of all children and young people. We look forward to working with partners across the cultural education sector to move this work forward”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.    The FMS is a registered charity that was formed in the 1990s to help regional music services organisations to be more effective and to represent them in dealing with central and local government.

2.     The FMS represents 165 Music Services organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands – 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 work in the majority of schools on each Local Authority area.

3.    The Dept. for Education support music provision through the Music Education Grant.

For further information and interviews contact:

virginia.haworth-galt@federationmusic.org.uk

Ms Virginia Haworth-Galt 07827-914323

douglas@watershed-consulting.com

Douglas Adamson 07860 420763 or 01423 755009

Closing date for applications: 12/03/2012

People, Communities & Society
Oldham Music Service
Peripatetic Music Teacher – Percussion
PCS12/12153

We require an enthusiastic and experienced Percussion Teacher to deliver tuned and un-tuned percussion to both small group instrumental tuition and whole class Wider Opportunities programmes, at KS 1-4 in Oldham schools.

Some evening and weekend work will be required and the ability to travel between schools and other venues is essential.
The Oldham Music Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The posts are subject to an enhanced CRB disclosure.

Salary will be dependant upon experience and qualification based on Teachers’ Pay Scale/Unqualified Teachers’ Pay Scale.

The successful candidate will join a pool of musicians to cover sickness and growing demand from schools. Up to 12.5 hours of teaching per week is available initially and additional hours will be offered in response to demand from schools.
You can apply online at www.yourcounciljobs.co.uk

Hours: As required to fulfil the business needs of the Music Service
Location: Various locations
Closing Date: 12/03/2012

The FMS and NAME are responding to Darren Henley’s call in his review of music education (a precursor to the Government’s National Plan for Music Education announced in November 2011) to reduce the fragmentation of the Music Education community. In coming together they will be creating a body that is able to support all practitioners and organisations across the sector.

The new body, that has yet to be named, will offer both individual and corporate membership. It aims to appeal to all those who provide, lead, develop or support music education. Building on the established success of FMS and NAME, it will create a unified forum for ongoing professional dialogue and plans to harness the support of parents, funders and the music industry. The overall vision of the organisation is to bring together those involved in music education to work for improved quality, access and progression for all.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, “My Fund for Young Musicians has shown just how many enormously gifted youngsters there are in our schools and communities and they need as much support as possible from parents, teachers and professional musicians if they are to realise their full potential. Bringing this breadth of expertise together in a single organisation would, I hope, enable the talent and creativity of even more youngsters to be unleashed, regardless of their background.”

Virginia Haworth-Galt, the chief executive of the FMS said:

“It is particularly apt that on the first anniversary of the Henley Review we are able to announce that the FMS and NAME are working together to create a new body for music education. This will be an organisation with children at its heart, reaching out to support all involved in music education including hub leaders and partners, instrumental teachers, classroom teachers, music industry professionals and school leaders.”

The chair of NAME, James Garnett said:

 “This period of discussion with FMS has been a process of discovering shared values as to the nature and purpose of music education. I am delighted that our two organisations can lead the way at this time when so many in music education are forming partnerships to provide an integrated musical education for our young people.”

Both the FMS and NAME are consulting their members on the formation and aims of the new structure. It is planned to have the organisation established by autumn 2012.

ENDS    

For further information and interviews contact:

virginia.haworth-galt@federationmusic.org.uk

Ms Virginia Haworth-Galt 07827-914323

j.s.garnett@reading.ac.uk

James Garnett 07872 423949

musiceducation@name.org.uk

Helen Fraser 01629 760791 or 07977 212525

douglas@watershed-consulting.com

Douglas Adamson 01423 755009 or 07860 420763

Notes to Editors

1.  The FMS is a registered charity that was formed in the 1990s to help regional music services organisations to be more effective and to represent them in dealing with central and local government.

2. The FMS represents 167 Music Services organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands – 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 work in the majority of schools on each Local Authority area.

3. The Dept. for Education support music provision through the Music Education Grant.

3. NAME is the professional body representing all areas of music education.   Supporting high quality music education for all, it advocates on behalf of all music educationalists, responds to national and local consultations, encourages continuing professional development and provides a forum for debate.   Members include class and instrumental teachers, heads and staff of music services, advisers, inspectors and lecturers in Initial Teacher Education.    For full details about the organisation go to www.name.org.uk

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 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.

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

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 

Closing date for applications: ongoing

If you are an experienced Voice teacher wishing to work with “an outstanding music service” at Berkshire Maestros, we are looking to recruit either a full-time or 2 part-time individuals.

Choirs, group-teaching, First Access Programme project delivery and individual lessons all form part of our daily requirements across the county. Teachers with energy, enthusiasm and easy access to teaching across Berkshire are welcomed to make contact with us.

To apply please forward a completed application form downloaded from our website in the Staff / Job Opportunities section
www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
Alternatively, email dawngarside@berkshiremaestros.org.uk to make contact with us and our Head of Voice. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

Stars including Katie Melua, Nicola Roberts, Dan Gillespie and Laura Wright urge young people to record, upload and vote! 

•  The chance to record at the legendary Abbey Road studios for the winner of the popular music category.
• The winning song will appear on the next BRIT Awards album.
• A one-day masterclass with iconic producer Steve Levine, held at Bucks New University’s state-of-the-art studio suite for the runners up.
• A classical recording session.
• Tickets to The BRIT Awards for regional and national winners.
• A share in £10,000 worth of music equipment from a major manufacturer.

Young people entering Next BRIT Thing also have access to high-quality tutorials and resources to help them improve their skills, develop confidence and explore careers in music or other creative industries.