Latest News
Chair of education select committee attacks EBacc
5 May 2011
Conservative MP and leader of the Commons education select committee Graham Stuart has jumped the gun on the committee's official inquiry into the EBacc by expressing personal concerns about the proposed performance measure.
Stuart commented that the six EBacc subjects left 'little room for other courses such as drama, economics, music and ICT or vocational courses such as young apprenticeships.' He also said that less able students may find their provision 'dismantled'.
Stuart's comments echo the concerns of many within the music education sector, who fear that the EBacc will steer resources away from school music - a problem which will be compounded if music is removed from the national curriculum as a result of the current curriculum review.
A spokesman for the Department for Education commented: 'The EBacc is not the be-all and end-all. The core subjects has [sic] been kept small deliberately to allow the opportunity for wider study - there are valuable and rigorous academic and non-academic qualifications, not in the EBacc, that pupils should be free to take.'
ABRSM announces conference dates
3 May 2011
ABRSM has announced dates for its annual conferences in Manchester, London, Gateshead and Birmingham. The two-day conferences for teachers of all instruments and levels will feature expert-led sessions and presentations including an introduction to ABRSM’s 2012–2015 violin syllabus. Other sessions will cover the revised scale and sight-reading requirements for all bowed string instruments, an exploration of touch, sound, texture and voicing in piano performance, personalised learning, developing aural awareness, and ‘From the examiner’s chair’ - an insight into ABRSM’s exam structure and marking criteria for Grades 1-8.
‘We see supporting teachers as a central part of our work,’ said Richard Crozier, ABRSM director of professional development. ‘ABRSM conferences offer an unrivalled opportunity for teachers to network with fellow professionals and explore new repertoire, resources and teaching strategies that can be transferred directly into their lessons.’
Venue and date details are:
- Manchester Central Convention Complex 3–4 September
- Hilton London Metropole 10–11 September
- Hilton Newcastle Gateshead 29–30 October
- Hilton Birmingham Metropole 26–27 November
National Union of Teachers urges Gove for broader curriculum
27 April 2011
The National Union of Teachers (NUT), the largest teachers’ union in the UK, met in Harrogate for its annual conference on the 22-26 April. The NUT actively campaigns about a number of proposed changes in education and Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, argues that Gove’s ‘rather predictable pronouncements on adopting a curriculum which is based along traditional lines’ will not result in a ‘broad and balanced curriculum which should be at the heart of the schools’ agenda’. Blower adds that: ‘Creativity is critical to the “knowledge economy”. Not only are subject areas like art, music and drama important in themselves, they help children develop creativity and empathy. These are critical to a well-rounded education.’
The Education Select Committee is currently reviewing the national curriculum and English Baccalaureate and will soon publish its findings.
MT goes digital
20 April 2011
Music Teacher is now available on your iPad, iPhone and online in an all-new digital format. The new digital magazine is simple to download and use, and gives you MT’s inimitable coverage of the music education world whenever and wherever you need it. In addition, readers can click straight through to the Rhinegold shop to purchase the products, sheet music and books reviewed each issue with the minimum of fuss.
The Music Teacher app costs just £1.99, including the first issue for free. To buy the digital version, visit the iTunes app store or go to pocketmags.com.
Composer takes the lead with the Incorporated Society of Musicians
20 April 2011
The ISM has announced that Paul Max Edlin will be its new president for 2011-12. The announcement was made during the ISM’s annual conference in April, where Edlin took over the role from Gavin Henderson. Edlin is a composer whose works have been performed both nationally and abroad by many leading artists. He also works as a conductor, trumpet player, and lecturer and has been an active member of the ISM since 1993. Paul said: ‘It is with the deepest pride that I take on this role. The ISM is an organisation which upholds one of life’s essential gifts and needs. I feel very privileged to be representing the ISM over this coming year, and I will do so with the hugest pride and an innate sense of value, duty and joy.’
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