‘A Common Approach’ for music teachers updated 20 years on

Following its initial publication in 2002, Music Mark has redeveloped ‘A Common Approach’ – a curriculum resource for all instrumental and vocal teachers. 

The new digital resource aims to support teachers to deliver ‘a holistic approach to music education’ in individual, small-group or whole-class instrumental and vocal lessons.

Billed as ‘the essential framework for a meaningful musical learning journey’, A Common Approach offers five programmes of study, with learning objectives and activities specified for beginner to advanced levels.

These programmes of study are provided for voice, brass, woodwind, strings, piano, keyboard, harp, percussion, contemporary guitar, classical guitar, ukulele, and music technology.

Specialist music educators have worked with Music Mark to develop the resources, and a group of teachers and trainees were given early access in order to provide feedback.

On using A Common Approach, a PGCE student at Manchester Metropolitan University said, ‘It has helped me define what I want to get out of the 20 minutes in a clear, concise way. It also helps me be realistic with the abilities of the beginner students in what they will be able to achieve in this short time.’

Mark Aldous, deputy head at Cambridgeshire Music, said: ‘It has definitely helped to remind me of the importance of covering all of the areas in order to create a well-rounded and confident musician.’

A Common Approach is available to view on the Music Mark website.