Send us Fan Mail In Episode 134, Patrick meets Dafydd Williams, the Music Lead at Rushmore Primary School in Hackney, winner of the Outstanding School Music Department award at the recent Music and Drama Education Awards, to find out about the music-making at the school (0:46). Plus, Anna van Veldhuisen and Issy McMichael tell Patrick all about their use of the Kodály Method in the classroom, across different Key Stages, with outstanding results (18:36). Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. ...
Apr 17, 2026•35 min•Season 18Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 133, Tim Gray tells Patrick all about the new app ' Pitch Pals ', designed to allow young children to practise their aural skills in a fun, game-based way (0:59). And Alex Aitken discusses A Level Music , with all its challenges: the importance of research as part of the composing process, the value of pastiche, why being Grade 8 Distinction does not guarantee you success at for A Level performance, and approaches to aural skills such as instrument recognition (16:51)...
Mar 20, 2026•46 min•Season 17Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail 2026 MUSC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL In Episode 132, Patrick visits the 2026 Music & Drama Expo, to chat to leaders of CDP sessions, and chat to exhibitors about new Music Education products. Sebastian Murgul from Klang.io introduces their software, that uses AI to transcribe audio to stave notation (0:48); Composer, author and educator Paul Harris discusses the importance of Rhythm , how it is too often taught ineffectively, and ways to rectify this (5:06); The MTA’s Head of ...
Feb 27, 2026•40 min•Season 17Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 131, Patrick finds out more about the new campaign, ‘A Choir in Every School’ , led by MTA president, James Manwaring (0:57). Professor Derek Aviss chats about his forthcoming webinar, ‘Transformational Teaching’ , for instrumental and vocal teachers to come together to share those special moments in their practice (19:18). And CEO of youth music charity Kinetika Bloco , Tamzyn Marchev , introduces their work, ranging from steel bands and samba bands, to a new series ...
Feb 06, 2026•48 min•Season 17Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 130, Patrick chats to Mark Aitchison about his PhD, which focuses on Key Stage 3 music, and Mark asks for teachers’ assistance with a Year 8 Research Project. Plus, music education academics Anthony Anderson , Carolyn Cooke , Victoria Kinsella and Elizabeth MacGregor introduce the new edition of the seminal book, ‘Learning to Teach Music in the Secondary School’ , discussing the huge amount of change in music education since the previous edition in 2016, challenges fo...
Jan 16, 2026•39 min•Season 17Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 129, Patrick chats to music educator, technological innovator and coach, Alan Cameron , about his long career, including setting up the world's first ever live weekly instrumental music learning programme via video conference for school children in 2005, and now head of Cameron International Coaching. Plus, Director of the National Gospel Music Centre, Anu Omideyi discusses Gospel Music: its influence on all subsequent music, and her new Gospel resources with RSL. Pre...
Dec 20, 2025•37 min•Season 16Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 128, Patrick meets James B Partridge to talk about his shows, Primary School Bangers and The Big Christmas Assembly, which revivify children’s hymns of the 70s and 80s. James and Patrick reflect on what makes these simple pieces so popular, and what they can still offer us. Publisher and Commercial Director of Music Teacher Magazine , Amy Driscoll , tells Patrick about the inner workings of the magazine, and the forthcoming Music and Drama Expo in February. And compos...
Nov 28, 2025•50 min•Season 16Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 127, Patrick chats to the Aurora Orchestra ’s Creative Director, Jane Mitchell , about their free resources as part of Aurora Classroom, covering Key Stages 1–5. Plus, the launch of their Life-Changing Music Campaign, aiming to raise £500,000 across its 20th anniversary season, to support their work nationwide (01:09). Plus, Executive Director of Music at the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), Simon Toyne , joins Patrick to take a look at the government’s newly-publis...
Nov 07, 2025•46 min•Season 16Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 126, Patrick chats to Mark Aitchison about Year 8 Music, with potential pitfalls and suggestions, incorporating research from Mark’s recently published paper, ‘A study into musician identity in year 8 students in England’. Plus, The National Children’s Choir of Great Britain ’s musical director, Dan Ludford-Thomas , discusses singing amongst young people, and the excellent work that the choir does, with details of forthcoming auditions. Presented and produced by Patri...
Oct 17, 2025•31 min•Season 16Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 125, Patrick meets Jazz pianist, educator, author and Instagram sensation Quentin Walston , to discuss accessible ways into Jazz for non-specialist teachers, from his new book, ‘How to Teach Jazz and Improvisation’ (0:52). Head of Growth and Operations at the MTA, Caroline Robinson introduces many of the speakers for the 2026 MTA conference, as tickets go on sale (24:15). And Dr Delphine Mordey from Cambridge Univeristy highlights two forthcoming open days designed to...
Sep 26, 2025•43 min•Season 16Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 124, Patrick chats to Ed Watkins about his recent article, shining a light on disproportionately low grades for otherwise high-achieving music students at A Level (1:02). Laura Bendy and Julian Whittaker introduce the new Members’ Area of the MTA website, and the first webinar of the academic year (13:38); And Grammy- and Brit-nominated singer-songwriter RuthAnne discusses the song-writing process, including a focus on the psychology of song-writing, and tips to overc...
Sep 05, 2025•48 min•Season 16Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 123, Patrick chats to Dr Kirsty Devaney and Dr Ed McKeon about the project Time Loops , run by the Science Museum Group, using old music technology in new and innovative ways, with Key Stage 3 resources to bring it into the classroom (0:57). Alys Wilding introduces a new ECT Secondary Music Network , being set up by Birmingham City University, to support ECTs nationwide (17:13). And Elliot Broadbent-Jones and David Kirtlan give an overview of the range of resources an...
Jul 18, 2025•49 min•Season 15Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 122, Patrick meets Dr Elizabeth Stafford and Dan Francis, to talk about their new book, 'The Secondary Music Leader's Handbook' (0:48). Classic FM presenter Ritula Shah introduces the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards (deadline for entries is 20th July 2025!) (15:54). And Jazz musician, author and educator Buster Birch chats about methods of teaching improvisation, why he doesn't use lead sheets, and his incredible online resource, 'Learn 2 Play Jazz' (24:40...
Jul 04, 2025•48 min•Season 15Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 121, Patrick meets Leanna O’Brien , from the Soaring Scarves Academy in California, who teaches music using movement and scarves, to help students really internalise great works by Tchaikovsky and Grieg, amongst others (0:43) We also meet the new MTA President, James Manwaring , to find out about him as a musician and teacher, and to see what he hopes to achieve in his tenure as MTA President (19:56). And outgoing MTA President Catherine Barker has a message for all m...
Jun 13, 2025•39 min•Season 15Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail 2025 MTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL In Episode 120, Patrick visits the 2025 MTA Conference, held at Trinity Academy, Bristol. He meets ABRSM Chief Examiner and Jazz trumpeter Mark Armstrong, to find out more about Mark’s CPD session, ‘Jazz in the Classroom’ (04:31), and chats to Founder and President of MusicFirst, Dr Jim Frankel, about his Key Note speech, ‘The Impact of AI on Music Making and Learning’ (22:12). Plus, Patrick chats to various exhibitors at the Trade Fair, including rep...
May 23, 2025•36 min•Season 15Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail 2025 MTA CONFERENCE PREVIEW In Episode 119, Patrick chats to Liz Dunbar and Asha Bishop about the crucial balancing of creativity and academic rigour at Key Stage 3 (1:08). And composer, arranger, singer, conductor and jazz musician Alexander L’Estrange discusses ways to get your choir to swing (15:46)! Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://musicdepartmentresources.com https://www.alexanderlestrange.com https://www.musicteachers.org/events/mta-conference-2025/ #CanDoM...
May 01, 2025•41 min•Season 15Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 118, Patrick chats to composer Rilla Paterson about her compositions for young voices, designed to help children with sight-reading; plus the importance of notation. Julian Whittaker introduces the MTA’s free ‘ Mock Interview ’ service, for members applying for a new job, to have a practice interview with an experienced Head of Music. Plus, Jack Laidlaw , James Tuck , and Dustin Ragland explain the range of products and services provided by Ableton , including Live, P...
Apr 04, 2025•43 min•Season 14Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 117, Patrick chats to Dr Jonathan Savage about significant changes in the world of Music Education, the relationship of Music Hubs with schools, and new BBC Bitesize resources. And the MTA’s Head of Growth and Operations, Caroline Robinson introduces the 2025 MTA conference, including the CPD sessions, the mentoring and training, the keynote speakers, and details of tickets. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://www.ucanplay.org.uk/ https://tinyurl.com/Jona...
Mar 14, 2025•32 min•Season 14Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 116, Patrick is joined by Maria Thomas from The Music Workshop Company , to find out about their range of schools workshops, including historical music, and a very interesting workshop using cutlery! Editor of Gramophone Magazine, Martin Cullingford , tells Patrick all about the Survey ‘Growing Musicians, Shaping Lives’, aiming to find out about music teachers’ day-to-day lives in the profession. And Mark Aitchison tells Patrick all about the European Day of Music in ...
Feb 28, 2025•30 min•Season 14Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail ~ 2025 MUSC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL ~ In Episode 115, Patrick visits the 2025 Music & Drama Expo, to attend CDP sessions, and chat to exhibitors about new Music Education products. Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu introduces SymphoMe , which uses AI to help give students detailed feedback on their performances in between lessons. (1:08) Award-winning Jazz pianist, composer and educator Nikki Yeoh shares some of her steps to teaching improvisation, and to help students (and teachers!)...
Feb 07, 2025•41 min•Season 14Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 114, Patrick chats to Music Teacher Dylan McCaig about being a recent ECT, and about Early Music both within the curriculum, and as part of co-curricular activities. MTA Operations Manager Laura Bendy shares details of her new role at the MTA, as well as an important announcement. And looking towards the Music and Drama Education Expo , Patrick meets Thomas Gregory , to find out why we all need more chaos in our classrooms! Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. www...
Jan 24, 2025•25 min•Season 14Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 113, Patrick catches up with ‘That Music Improv Teacher’, Mike Wright, to find out about Mike’s on-going work to promote improvisation as a standard part of music teaching (01:01). Professor Derek Aviss OBE discusses the psychology of performance, including overriding the brain’s natural reaction to the fear and stress of performance, with details of a forthcoming webinar from the Royal Society of Musicians (20:28). And MTA President Catherine Barker explains the huge...
Jan 10, 2025•45 min•Season 14Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 112, Patrick meets singer, teacher, and vocal health expert, Dr Jenevora Williams , to discuss ways to recognise, manage, and prevent any issues with students’ – or teachers’ – vocal health (0:34). Plus, conductor Nic Chalmers introduces ways of engaging young people with opera, including some of his work with the Royal Opera House, and chats about his marathon Christmas Carolling at the Royal Albert Hall with the National Youth Choir (12:11). Presented and produced b...
Dec 20, 2024•31 min•Season 13Ep. 8
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 111, Patrick chats to Alex Aitken about GCSE and A Level composition and set works, including ways to teach them, their place within a course, and the barriers faced by teachers and students (00:53). Editor of Music Teacher magazine, Phil Croydon introduces the forthcoming Music & Drama Education Expo and Awards, to be held in January 2025 (17:19). And singer, song-writer and New England fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger discusses the importance of aural awareness, wa...
Dec 06, 2024•41 min•Season 13Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 110, Patrick chats to Aileen Douthwaite from the Music Publishers’ Association, about the Every Copy Counts campaign, highlighting the legality of photocopying music in copyright, and logging it to help publishers, authors and composers (00:45). Alex Parsons and Liz Dunbar offer some Composition Hacks for students struggling to get going with a new piece, in extracts from their recent MTA webinar (11:35). And choral conductor and singer Edward Caswell chats to Patrick...
Nov 21, 2024•40 min•Season 13Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 109, Patrick chats to BBC Radio 3 presenter Linton Stephens about the BBC’s new Ten Pieces , each of which has been written by a female composer (0:55). Alex Parsons introduces a new series of webinars from the MTA, providing crucial CPD for teachers (09:06). And Si Tew from Digit Learning explains the range of products they offer, including their joystick-driven instrument, CMPSR, their notation system Arrow Notes, plus Global Sound Culture (13:38). Presented and pro...
Nov 07, 2024•29 min•Season 13Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 108, Patrick chats to Michelle Robinson from Loughborough University about the special relationship between student and teacher in instrumental and vocal lessons, also looking at ways to develop it (0:54). And Gary Spruce discusses the complexities of instrumental music teaching, as featured in his new book 'Instrumental Music Teaching: Perspectives and Challenges', the uniqueness of whole class instrumental tuition, and teacher retention (11:20). Presented and produc...
Oct 18, 2024•35 min•Season 13Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In episode 107, Patrick meets the Winner of Visiting Music Teacher 2024 (Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards 2024) Helen Minshall, to chat about her work, teaching brass instruments across Lancashire (1:08). Plus, Dr Anthony Anderson discusses curriculum design, looking at differences in how curricula are perceived by music teachers and SLTs (16:46). Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://www.bbe.org.uk/brass-foundations https://www.facebook.com/Minshallmusiclt...
Oct 04, 2024•35 min•Season 13Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 106, Patrick chats to recorder player Ali Walker about Sing Up's new complete scheme of learning for KS1 and KS2 recorder, 'Play Recorder' (0:52). And Dr George Waddell , from the Royal College of Music, discusses assessment in music, focusing on performance science, preparation for a performance assessment, and external factors that can affect assessors' opinions (18:20). Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://www.singup.org/music/play-recorder https://perf...
Sep 19, 2024•46 min•Season 13Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 105, Patrick finds out all about the new AI-driven assessment app, Assessify, created by Rob Reich-Storer from Rhythmstix (0:54). Rachel Topham from Faber Music chats about the new Faber Music Teachers’ Community , designed to help bring instrumental/vocal teachers and the publisher closer together (12:20). And Maddy Barnes and Peter Tamblyn talk about the great education work done by English Touring Opera (25:27). Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. Assessify: h...
Sep 05, 2024•45 min•Season 13Ep. 1
