Better Music, Better Results
A seminar for primary heads, governors and music teachers
To see this Media Release as a PDF click here.
06 January 2006
This latest ISM seminar is aimed at primary school head teachers, governors and music teachers. It will explore music in primary education – how it can be done well, and what it can do for children. The discussions will be led by Bernadette Thompson, head of Gallions Primary School, Newham, London E6. The day will be chaired by Carl Jackson, the current Warden of the ISM’s Music in Education Section, who is director of music at Kingston Grammar School.Gallions, an inner-city school in the heart of London’s East End, is famous for its arts in general and its music in particular: every day, it is full of the sounds of orchestras, ensembles and singing. This is mainly thanks to Bernadette Thompson, herself a musician, who is a firm believer in teaching the curriculum through the arts. She has ensured that top-level music teaching is available throughout the school. At every step, she has had the solid backing of her governing body. The effects on her pupils’ behaviour and achievements are widely hailed as transforming and inspirational.
Bernadette is well aware that the Gallions approach is not always easy to implement. She will use this seminar to describe her philosophy and practice to professional colleagues, whether heads, governors or music teachers; she will also explain to them how obstacles can be overcome, and where they can go for good advice. Her fellow speakers will be David Vinden, a national authority on the Kodaly method of teaching musical instruments and singing; Petra Ronkko, an expert on the ‘Colourstrings’ technique, who teaches strings at Gallions and implements the Kodaly method across the school; and Aimee Gilmore, a music co-ordinator at Gallions, who will show how music benefits the brain and promotes broader wellbeing for children.
ISM Chief Executive Neil Hoyle said: ‘Good music teaching at the primary stage will not only lay the foundations for a lifelong love of the subject; it also helps children fulfil their potential in other areas. Primary schools therefore need to get their music teaching right. Gallions shows what can be achieved by a purposeful, knowledgeable head teacher, a supportive governing body, and dedicated, skilful staff. Everyone who wants to see - and hear - higher standards in primary education should attend this seminar.’
The seminar will be held on Saturday 11 March 2006 from 10.30am to 4.30pm at Fyvie Hall, University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW. The cost is £48 per person.
For details, visit the ISM website (www.ism.org/primarymusic) or contact ISM Head Office, 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA, T. 020 7629 4413, F. 020 7408 1538, E. membership@ism.org. The booking form is printed overleaf, and can also be downloaded from the ISM website or obtained from ISM Head Office.
Ends 01/2006
Note to Editors: The Incorporated Society of Musicians, founded in 1882, is the UK’s professional body for musicians. It aims to promote the art of music and uphold the honour and interests of the musical profession by protecting the interests of musicians, raising professional standards, and providing legal advice and other benefits to its members. Its 5,000 members include performers, teachers, composers, conductors, organists, writers and others involved in professional musical work. The Musicians in Education Section is one of the ISM’s three specialist groups: it holds conferences and seminars from time to time on topics of current interest.
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