Don’t forget your hard hat: October 2023 Editorial

I’ve been reading around the subject. Apparently, concrete reflects up to 99% of the energy of sound, and closed air pockets in the Autoclaved Aerated variety can prevent noise from travelling through walls. Now, I’m no structural engineer, but I admit the thought of new, upcycled practice rooms (with new roofs) did cross my mind. Joking aside, let’s hope the issue is fixed soon, with long-term, effective estate management. There’s been enough short-termism and disruption to schools in recent years.

This month’s MT focuses on teaching strings, whether in groups (large and small) or one to one. This includes teaching and playing and linking back to aural traditions. Jane Griffiths provides a guide to teaching traditional folk fiddle on page 17, and Stephen Laidlaw of In Harmony Opera North shares their innovative approach with mini string-orchestras, on page 21, drawing partly on Kodály – joined up pedagogies and instruments, no less.

Meanwhile, Alison Moncrieff-Kelly, a cello consultant for a new exam syllabus, argues eloquently for not dumbing down (p. 14), and for relying on the ‘the hook’, the earworm, to engage young learners and keep them motivated. Nothing beats a good tune – a point also made in our review of ABRSM’s new violin and viola exam books (p. 54). For string players, we’re also giving away free sheet-music!

On other pages this month, you’ll find an illuminating report on research into music and SEND (p. 27), courtesy of Adam Ockleford and Sophie Gray, and on the recent A Level results and prevailing trends, thanks to colleagues at the Birmingham Music Education Research Group and their continued analyses (p. 12). There’s also a fascinating account (full of atmosphere) of music education in Iceland, and MT’s editors report from Manchester Camerata’s successful primary-school songwriting project, and ESTA’s CPD offer for instrumental music teachers (not just string players).

Back at the office, meanwhile, I’d like to congratulate Hattie Fisk on her promotion to editor of Drama & Theatre, our sister publication, and to thank her for her great contribution to MT over the last two and half years. We all wish her well. She’ll be missed on the MT desk, of course, but seated just four feet away. Michael Pearce, whom many of you know (not least as Head of Music Content for next year’s Music & Drama Education Expo) joins us as Hattie’s replacement, and I look forward to reading more from him in the coming months.

Talking of major education events, preparations are in full swing for the Curriculum Music: Leadership, Collaboration & Inclusivity conference in London on 10 October. There are places available still, and further details can be found at musicteacherconference.com.

– Phil Croydon, editor