Send us Fan Mail In Episode 104, Patrick chats to Music Education Consultant (and former National Lead for Music for Ofsted), Mark Phillips , about the start of Year 7, including the value (or lack of value) of baseline tests, questionnaires, and tests of aural perception, such as the Bentley Test. Plus, MTA President Catherine Barker reflects on the 2023–24 academic year, and looks to the future for Music Education. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. Mark Phillips: https://x.com/englishca...
Jul 19, 2024•25 min•Season 12Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 103, Patrick chats to Jane Mitchell about the Aurora Orchestra ’s latest resource, Discover Beethoven , which uses the Sixth Symphony as a way into orchestral music for young musicians. Hattie Fisk , co-chair of the Music and Drama Education Awards judging panel, gives an overview of the 2025 Awards, and encourages everyone to get voting. And Dr Bushra El-Turk and Dr Joel Bell introduce The Alternative Conservatoire , a new course for young musicians, post-18. Present...
Jul 05, 2024•37 min•Season 12Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 102, Patrick chats to Professor Martin Fautley about music education over the last 40+ years. What was it like in the late 1970s? What have been the most significant changes? Which trends might make a comeback? What are the challenges linking Key Stages? And what are the biggest challenges in music education in 2024? Martin concludes with a series of powerful messages to all those involved in music education: head teachers, heads of department, teachers, parents, stud...
Jun 20, 2024•47 min
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 101, Patrick finds out all about Liz Dunbar ’s incredible new online subscription resource, Music Department Resources, packed with complete schemes of work, cover lessons, and much, much more (01:13). Nate Holder introduces the 2024 Why Music Festival, to be held on 25th and 27th June 2024 (19:43). And jazz pianist, teacher and university lecturer Sam Leak discusses perfect pitch, absolute pitch and melody triggers: whether these can be taught or are just natural gif...
Jun 06, 2024•50 min•Season 12Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail MTA 2024 CONFERENCE SPECIAL In Episode 100, Patrick reports from the 2024 MTA Conference , held in Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. Composer Errollyn Wallen OBE discusses her approach to composition, in a Fireside chat with Patrick, recorded live at the conference (33:53), and former MTA President Simon Toyne reflects on what has changed in Music Education since his first interview in Episode 1, in 2020 (11:38). Plus, from the Trade Fair, Patrick meets Music Leaders UK (01:06), T...
May 24, 2024•49 min•Season 12Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 99, Patrick chats to Mark Llewelyn Evans , from the ABC of Opera, about their work bringing Opera into Primary education, with books and workshops (0:56); Pauline Black gives a preview of her and Simon Purcell’s MTA Conference session, The Jazz Mindset, looking bringing Groove into the classroom (14:21); And Nate Holder discusses his new book, If I Were a Racist, expanding on his 2020 poem of the same name, and challenging what music we teach, why we teach it, and how...
May 09, 2024•42 min•Season 12Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 98, Patrick chats to the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes MP , about their recent report, Misogyny in Music, looking at ways that misogyny can appear amongst school-age musicians, and its wider implications. Oli Rose, Director of Global Development for the Lang Lang Foundation, introduces their Keys of Inspiration scheme, providing whole suites of free pianos and resources to disadvantaged schools. And composer Dr James Olsen , from the Soci...
Apr 25, 2024•38 min•Season 12Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 97, Patrick meets Mike Simpson from Inspire Works , to talk about their Drumbeatable programme, using group drumming to help young people overcome mental health challenges, and how the power of group music has been scientifically proven to help. Trumpeter Kay Charlton chats about improvisation in lessons, whole class instrumental tuition, and her excellent new resource, Dinosaur Stomp, published by Warwick Music. And trombonist and teacher Nathaniel Dye chats about hi...
Mar 21, 2024•52 min•Season 11Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 96, Patrick chats to composer David A Stowell about recent his Music & Drama Expo talk, ‘Music Composition: Tips and Tricks for those Extra Marks’, discussing the process of composition in schools. Abi Marrison (Music Mark) and Colin Stuart (ISM) talk about Can Do Music, a joint campaign with the ISM, Music Mark and the MTA, with its huge numbers of resources. And David Mason from Viscount Organs introduces the business, and chats about the recent development of t...
Mar 14, 2024•41 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail ** 2024 MUSIC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL** Patrick reports from the 2024 Music & Drama Expo, chatting to exhibitors Take It Away , and Darbar Academy. Plus, interviews with two of the Expo's presenters: Deirdre Waller-Box from Brass Bands England, talking about her seminar 'Performance ready in one session' Tim Bennett-Hart , CEO of RSL Awards, discussing 'AI: the challenges and opportunities in assessment' And Patrick at the Music & Drama Awards, Patrick finds out about t...
Feb 27, 2024•37 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 94, Patrick meets Liz Stafford , to chat about some of the big issues in Music Education today, and the forthcoming Music Education Solutions Conference. Gill Davies announces the MTA’s own Annual Conference to be held in May, including details of the trade fair, CPD, Key Note speakers, and how to get tickets. And Lesley Tyler previews her Music and Drama Education Expo seminar “A thematic enquiry curriculum for KS3”, discussing innovative ways to link all Key Stage 3...
Feb 08, 2024•36 min•Season 11Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 93, Patrick meets Sarah McWatt from Amp (formerly NYMAZ ), and Vic Holmes from Note Weavers , to discuss the work they do for primary music in the North of England, and find out about their forthcoming Early Years Music Conference, focussing on inclusivity. And Vanessa Wilson-Best explores “exclusivity at GCSE”, focussing on technology as the great leveller. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. tinyurl.com/AmpNoteWeavers https://www.nymaz.org.uk https://www.notewe...
Feb 02, 2024•33 min•Season 11Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 92, Patrick chats to Francesca Christmas and Toby Davies from Trinity College London about their Awards and Certificates in Musical Development, Digital Theory Exams, AI, and more; David Gray talks about his primary curriculum, his online resources, training for primary music specialists, and makes the case for ukuleles; And Dr Robin Harrison , director of Maestro Online , introduces their masterclasses, practicing resources, and the new Pop Piano grades. Presented an...
Jan 18, 2024•47 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of 2024, Patrick chats to Janet Fischer about the excellent work done by Live Music Now , bringing music to those without previous access. Dr Anna Mariguddi discusses her recent research into informal music learning in primary schools. And Keith Sykes from Lewisham Music chats about their award-winning project connecting music and young people’s mental health, Front Line Young Minds. Presented and produced any Patrick Johns. http://www.livemusicnow.org.uk ht...
Jan 05, 2024•34 min•Season 11Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In the last episode of 2023, Patrick meets Zac Moxon , Winner of the 2023 Outstanding New Teacher of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards. They chat about his department at Chiswick School, the curriculum, and the secret to putting on over 50 concerts per year! Plus, organist, composer and Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald , discusses Christmas carols: composing, arranging, and writing descants, plus barriers faced by female composers, c...
Dec 14, 2023•33 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 89, Patrick chats to Dr Kirsty Devaney about her research into barriers faced by female composers, including young people’s perception of what it means to be a composer. And Mr Primary Music Education himself Jimmy Rotheram discusses all things primary, with guidance for non-specialist teachers, including dos and don’ts. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://kirstydevaney.com https://tinyurl.com/AddressingGenderInequality www.youngcomposersproject.com © Mus...
Dec 01, 2023•36 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 88, Patrick meets Jason Poulston, the music teacher behind the fantastic resource Music Homework, which does exactly what it says on the tin! Sophia Allen from Britten-Pears Arts introduces their newly-commissioned songs as part of Friday Afternoons, and the Big Sing! And singer, author, educator and researcher Randye Jones discusses Spirituals: their origins, the use of difficult terminology, and dialect, and Spirituals' place in the Music Classroom. Presented and pr...
Nov 16, 2023•38 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 87, Patrick chats to conductor Paul McCreesh about the next Gabrieli Roar project, and about singing and repertoire for young people. James Manwaring previews the next Music Teacher Monday webinar, looking at teaching harmony at Key Stage 5. And composer Paul Clark introduces the Clod Ensemble 's massive composition resource, Ear Opener , designed to support teachers and students alike. He and Patrick discuss how to start a composition, and the power of arranging in t...
Nov 02, 2023•37 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 86, Patrick finds out what's in the new edition of the MTA's Ensemble magazine, with MTA president, Catherine Barker . He chats to Joe Hastings , from the charity Music Minds Matter , set up to provide a free 24/7 counselling service for musicians and music teachers; And Ali Bowen-Davies and Lincoln Abbotts from the ABRSM explain the process that leads to the development and creation of new syllabuses for instrumental and vocal exams. Presented and produced by Patrick...
Oct 19, 2023•34 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 85, Patrick meets Dice Wood , author of the teaching blog Grab and Go Guides, and chats about how to say No to excess workload, how to reduce time spent marking homework, and the message that homework sends to students. Laura Hailstone from Music Mark introduces their annual conference, being held in November. And Paul Blaylock discusses his highly successful approach to the KS3 curriculum, offering tips and insights. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://g...
Oct 05, 2023•33 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 84, Patrick chats to Alex Aitken about his enormous new resource, Mastering A Level Music, focussing on the Edexcel course. Lauren Elliott from Music Monsters introduces the wonderful work they do with young musicians from the age of three upwards, using play to teach the piano and theory. And film and TV composer George Fenton looks at this year's GCSE Film Music Composition Briefs (from Eduqas and Edexcel). George also offers some insights to the art of film composi...
Sep 21, 2023•44 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of the new academic year, Patrick chats to Rachel Shapey about her new book, co-authored with Nate Holder, Listen and Celebrate , written to help teachers to enrich and diversify music at Key Stage 3. Leanne Sedin and Adam Saunders tell Patrick all about their new project, The Music Teachers' Choir , set up to get music teachers together to sing, every month. And independent music consultant Dan Francis chats about the relationship between what's learnt in t...
Sep 07, 2023•44 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In the final episode of the academic year, Patrick chats to Rob Reich-Storer about his music resource website, Rhythmstix, and to Katy Thomson about Ground:Ed, which offers workshops to help teachers and students harness their creativity, build awareness and self-confidence. Finally, Patrick signs off the year by chatting to MTA President Catherine Barker , about the 2022-23 academic year, current issues in music education, and what's in store from the MTA for 2023-24. Presented...
Jul 20, 2023•33 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 82, Patrick talks to Niels Bastrup and Hans Jakobsen from aural training app Ear Master, about a new feature designed to help students with the aural tests in ABRSM exams and beyond; Mark Aitchison shares his planning for the next academic year, taken from a recent MTA ECT webinar; And Dr Rebecca Berkley, Associate Professor in Music Education, at the Institute of Education, at the University of Reading, discusses music training for primary school teachers, looking at...
Jul 06, 2023•39 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In episode 80, Patrick finds out about the Why Music Festival, curated by Nate Holder - a one-day online festival on 4th July 2023, aimed at pupils, and featuring a wide variety of speaker. (Link below.) Olivia Sparkhall tells Patrick all about her new book, “A Young Person's Guide to Vocal Health”, and talks about the importance of vocal health for young people, including the effects of bad habits. (Link below.) And Christopher Stevens HMI, subject lead for Music at Ofsted, joi...
Jun 22, 2023•43 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 79, Patrick chats to pianist and composer Melanie Spanswick about her graded anthology of piano books, Women Composers, exclusively featuring music by female composers. From the 2023 RiME conference, Cynthia Stephens-Himonides (Kingston University) and Meggie Young (Ohio State University) discuss their research into music teachers' self-identity when it comes to the use of technology in the classroom, both in the UK and the USA. And Jazz pianist and educator Darius Br...
Jun 08, 2023•41 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail MTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL In Episode 78, Patrick reports from the 2023 MTA Conference, held in the Loughborough Schools Foundation. Greg Coughlin discusses non-traditional routes to GCSE Music, Lisa Coley introduces the range of microphones available from Sontronics , Rebecca Arnold chats about her experiences at her first MTA Conference, and Charles Price explains how to demystify the composition process, especially at Key Stage 4. Finally, outgoing president Don Gillthorpe reflec...
May 18, 2023•29 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 77, Patrick chats to Cynthia Stephens-Himonides and Maria Mendonça about incorporating Gamelan into curricula, particularly as a way of including disengaged young people. Looking ahead to the 2023 MTA Conference, sneak previews of two of the sessions, with Mark Wilderspin ('How to take student compositions from good to great') and Lucinda Geoghegan ('The Kodály Approach'). Plus, Naomi McCarthy from the ISM, discussing their new campaign Save Our Subjects, calling on t...
May 04, 2023•34 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 76, Patrick chats to Vanessa Wilson-Best about current matters in music education, and she gives an overview of the forthcoming Great Escape Festival’s Music Education Conference. Composer-in-association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gavin Higgins , introduces the BBC’s Young Composer Competition. And Dr Anthony Anderson explores his recent RiME presentation, looking at the ‘telescoping’ of KS3 curricula down from three years to two. Presented and produced...
Apr 21, 2023•36 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 75, Patrick chats to Amelia Parker , co-producer of BBC Radio 4’s “Rethinking Music” series on music education, about the making of the series. Simon Toyne , Sophie Taylor-Denton and Caius Lee talk about the Rodolfus Foundation’s Choral Courses for young singers; And Dr Anna Mariguddi gives a preview of her RiME presentation, looking at Prof. Lucy Green’s model of informal learning in the current music education landscape. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns #CanD...
Mar 30, 2023•35 min•Season 8Ep. 6
