September 2023

Welcome to our first newsletter of the new academic year! Please see below for information about upcoming events and opportunities. You will find information both about Surrey Arts activities and also that of other local, regional and national partners. Do get in touch via SurreyArtsSchools@surreycc.gov.uk if you need any further information.

John Stephens

Curriculum Manager Surrey Arts and Lead for Culture Box Surrey

Contents

• Surrey Arts: The Start of a Musical Journey
• Two key events for Surrey schools at the Yehudi Menuhin School
• Calling all Surrey Young Composers!
• Surrey Arts Welcomes Lin Marsh for the 2024 Primary Music Festival Concerts!
• Royal Opera House Create and Sing 2024
• Surrey Arts launches new vocal group for Care Leavers
• Tuned Percussion for hire & Yamaha Electone Electric Organ offered
• Surrey Arts CPD for teachers – full list of CPD events already confirmed for Autumn 2023

Surrey Arts: The start of a musical journey

Everyday we hear music through our phones, or on radio, television, film, social media, advertising or gaming. Apart from the many benefits of learning to play an instrument – such as having a positive effect on all aspects of a child’s learning – it can create amazing opportunities and be an exciting journey leading to a variety of careers. Inspiration to learn can come from hearing a piece of music, seeing someone perform or even finding an instrument in a school cupboard. 

Surrey Arts have helped to start the journeys of thousands of young people for over 50 years and teach in schools and music centres across the county. We help young people to develop their playing skills, express themselves and create music. 

We are passionate about ensuring all young people can benefit from learning to play an instrument, so we provide a range of support such as; 

• Enabling families to pay for lessons and activities in instalments to spread the cost 
• Providing concessions available for families on low incomes, Looked After Children and Surrey Young Carers to help support costs. 
• Link with a number of local charitable trusts which offer financial support to encourage young people to learn music.
• Providing low cost instrument hire, and free hire to those on a concession.  

In addition to lessons, there are also other opportunities to play and develop skills in one of Surrey Arts’ 40 ensembles which cater for all different abilities and instruments all over the county. 

In a recent survey comments from customers were very complimentary about the quality of service Surrey Arts provides:

• ‘The teachers are really enthusiastic, patient and friendly and obviously inspired by sharing their musical skills with others. My son looks forward to his lessons every week. Thank you!’
• ‘Lessons are fun, inspiring, varied, encompass a wide range of music, are well organised & carefully structured, are tailored to each child’s ability and interest.’  
• ‘Amazing teacher – really well organised and wonderful service.’

We would appreciate if you could forward the above article to your parents and direct them to the Surrey Arts website to register for music lessons or ensembles.  

If you would like to explore music lessons at your school, contact Surrey Arts by email: surreyartsmusic@surreycc.gov.uk

Two key events for Surrey schools at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham

Composition Workshop in The Menuhin Hall. 

Audience: KS4 and KS5

John Cooney (head of composition) runs a lecture-recital aimed at GCSE/A level composers, with live demonstrations from our students. Working through the year to record participants’ compositions in the spring term. Thursday October 5th is the inaugural session for the year, with a 10.30 start, time for lunch, and then an invitation to watch that day’s lunchtime concert starting at 13.15 start.

Learning Carols and The Snowman

Audience: All

On Friday 8 December, the Yehudi Menuhin School are inviting Surrey schools to join their double bill: learning carols with their Junior Orchestra accompanying, and a screening of The Snowman with live music.  There are two opportunities to join this event, with showings starting at 10.30 or 13.30, each an hour long.

For further information and to arrange for your school to enjoy either of these events, please contact keelan.carew@menuhinschool.co.uk, Community Partnerships Coordinator at YMS.

Calling all Surrey Young Composers!

Audience: older primary upwards

The 2024 Surrey Hills Young Composer Competition is now open for submissions from composers aged 18 and under (at the closing date of 23 February) and living or studying at a Surrey postcode. Submitted works should be for piano (solo or four hands) and between 2.5 and 5 mins long on the theme of ‘Celebration’, to mark the Surrey Hills International Music Festival’s 15th season in May 2024.

The winning work will be premiered as part of the festival’s 2024 programme, at The Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon on Thursday 16 May, and the winner and two runners-up will receive concert tickets and cash prizes.

A shortlist of entries will be judged by an eminent jury including composers Huw Watkins, Stephen Goss and Natalie Klouda, alongside the Festival’s Artistic Director and pianist Wu Qian, and results will be announced in March.

For more details on how to enter and full Ts & Cs, please visit Surrey Hills Young Composer Competition 2024 – Surrey Hills International Music Festival (shimf.co.uk) or email hello@shimf.co.uk with any queries.

Surrey Arts Welcomes Lin Marsh for the 2024 Primary Music Festival Concerts!

Audience: Primary

We are delighted to announce the return of beloved composer, conductor and educator, Lin Marsh as our guest Music Director for the 2024 Primary Music Festival concerts! Schools can look forward to a programme packed with favourites from the world of music theatre and film, as well as Lin’s own catalogue of much-loved songs. 

Keep your eye on your email inbox for the 2024 dates and application forms, and be sure to get your application submitted quickly to ensure your school’s place! Visit our website to find out more.

Royal Opera House Create and Sing 2024 

Inspired by Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute

Audience: KS1 and KS2

Create & Sing (is an accessible approach that combines singing and drama to build pupils’ self-expression, creative collaboration, performance confidence, voice, movement, and memory skills. It is part of the award-winning ROH National Schools Programme.

You can get your school involved by attending the Surrey CPD day: a full day of certified, in-person training with ROH professionals. No familiarity with opera is needed. Suitable for class teachers and Music Leads.  4 October, 9am – 3pm at the Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham. Find out more and book your FREE place

Highly Commended in the Teach Primary Awards, 2022

“When the Royal Opera House say that opera is for everyone, they really walk the talk. Clearly structured lesson plans with all supporting interactive material make using these resources a faff-free experience for teachers.” Teach Primary 2022 judging panel

Find out more on the ROH website

Surrey Arts launches new vocal group for Care Leavers

Audience: Post 16

Nu Vox is an exciting new group for Care Leavers in Surrey aged 16-25. We are launching the group with a taster session at Phoenix Cultural Centre, Woking on 26^th October 2023 as part of National Care Leavers Week 2023. The group will be led by a talented care experienced leader. If you know a young person who would be interested, please encourage them to sign up via this form: https://forms.office.com/e/cSyS3zbxPs

Tuned percussion for hire 

We have 2 whole class sets of Percussion plus tuned percussion for hire.  The sets include a range of bass, alto and soprano xylophones and metallophones – perfect for whole class music making! 

If you would like to hire one of these sets for a term, or longer as required, please contact our Instrument Hire store on sa.instruments@surreycc.gov.uk

Offered: Electone Yamaha Electric Organ

Following the relocation of Surrey County Council, this Electone Yamaha Electric Organ was removed from the decommissioned County Hall and now needs a new home.

If anyone knows of anywhere it could be useful, please email Paula.Camp@Surreycc.gov.uk.

CPD

Creating a primary school music development plan with the Surrey Curriculum Evaluation Tool

Audience:  Primary

Tuesday 19^th September 4pm-5.30pm via Zoom

Session leader:  Alex Bondonno

This session is a repeat of our workshop on creating Music Plans which we ran last Spring, but now referencing the Surrey Local Area Music Plan. The National Plan for Music Education indicates that all schools should have a music development plan in place by Sept 2023. We will guide you through approaches to putting a plan in place using the Surrey Music Curriculum Evaluation Tool as a guide. This will be a discursive session where you can reflect on your development goals working in groups with other teachers.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

Vocal Health and Confidence for Teachers

Audience:  All

Wednesday 20^th September 4pm-5.30pm 

Session leader:  Esther Jones

Venue:  St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Linkfield Lane, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1EA

Start the school year off with vocal health and confidence! Led by Esther Jones (National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and recent presenter at our Surrey Music Conference) this is a session full of tips and techniques to keep your voice healthy when speaking and singing, and to build your confidence in exploring your singing voice. An invaluable session for all those who use their voice for hours each day in working with children.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

An Introduction to the Original Scheme for Primary Charanga

Audience:  Primary

Tuesday 26^th September 4pm-5.30pm 

Session leader:  Tim Bond

Venue: St James CofE primary Weybridge, Weybridge KT13 8PL

Explore the learning activities in the Units of Work and how the Original Scheme is structured.

In this overview you will discover how the learning is structured and progresses across the whole Scheme. We will look in detail at the learning activities in the Units of Work and the supporting documentation. This session is ideal for those who are new to Musical School or the Original Scheme.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

Primary Music Network

Audience:  Primary

Wednesday 27^th September 4pm-5.30pm via Zoom

Session Leader:  Alex Bondonno

For all primary music teachers and music leaders in Surrey schools to discuss practical ways to provide a music provision in their school. We invite primary schools to present case studies and facilitate discussion on the current challenges, needs and seek to find solutions. Will include a presentation from Kapow Music. Full agenda will be confirmed near the time. Send any points you would like discussed or case study ideas to alex.bondonno@surreycc.gov.uk.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

New Music Coordinator Workshop

Audience:  Primary

Monday 2^nd October 4pm-5.30pm via Zoom

Session Leader:  Alex Bondonno & Kate Sweeney

New to being a music coordinator? Want practical ideas on how to take on this role at your school? Perhaps you have been in the role for a while, but would like more support and ideas? Whether you are a musician or not taking on the challenge of leading music at a school can be a daunting task, but highly rewarding! This workshop will give you practical ideas on how to be an effective music leader for your school, looking at curriculum, instrumental uptake, choirs and ensembles and just getting music happening in your school.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

Royal Opera House Create and Sing CPD Workshop Day

Audience:  Primary (KS1 and KS2)

Wednesday 4^th October 9am-3pm

Session Leader:  Royal Opera House

Venue: Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham Road Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham KT11 3QQ  

Create & Sing is an accessible approach that combines singing and drama to build pupils’ self-expression, creative collaboration, performance confidence, voice, movement, and memory skills. It is part of the award-winning ROH National Schools Programme. Teachers are invited to attend a full day of certified, in-person training with ROH professionals at no charge. No familiarity with opera is needed. Suitable for class teachers and Music Leads. 

Find out more and book your FREE place

Delivering ‘In House’ whole class ensemble teaching at your school

Audience:  Primary

Wednesday 25^th October 4pm-5pm via Zoom

Session Leader:  Alex Bondonno

Through 2023-24 we will be running a series of workshops looking at developing teacher skills to deliver ‘in house’ Whole Class Ensemble Teaching style music lessons at your school. This session looks at what this might mean for your school, including potential benefits and problems you might face in delivery and support might need when teaching a whole class on instruments as a specialist music or generalist teacher.

Sign up via Autumn 2023 CPD form

SAVE THE DATE – UPCOMING CPD

Introducing the Music of the 2024 Primary Music Festival – Wednesday 15 November, 4-5.30pm

Singing and Teenage Vocal Change – Thursday 30 November, 3.45-5.15pm 

Please see below for news about our summer programme of events and CPD. In particular please note programme details for our Surrey Schools Music Conference on 21 June, and be sure to book your ticketbefore the Early Bird Discount runs out on the 21 April!!

As always if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch SurreyArtsSchools@surreycc.gov.uk  We wish you a restful and enjoyable spring holiday!

John Stephens

Curriculum Manager Surrey Arts and Lead for Culture Box Surrey

Contents

• – Surrey Music Hub Conference:  Programme Content announced
• Singing Picnics 2023
• Secondary School Young Leaders
• East SAYS let’s start singing our music!
• Just So Singers
• Together at Home
• MusicFirst Young Creative Musician Festival
• The Primary Singing Toolkit
• Music Mark: Ofsted Update on Schools
• CPD Training
• Royal Opera House Create and Sing
• Offered: Yamaha Electone Electric Organ

Surrey Music Hub Conference:  Programme Content 

Wednesday 21 June 2023, University of Surrey, Guildford

Surrey Music Hub Conference 2023 is focused on the theme of the new National Plan for Music.  We take the new music strategy’s aims to heart, working with all Surrey Schools to use the Power of Music to Change Lives.  There will be content for all specialist and non-specialist teachers from primary, secondary and special school settings, built around active workshops, forums, discussion groups and focused surgeries. Content will be delivered by leading national providers, alongside our own highly skilled music leaders from Surrey, please see below for further details.

There will be a parallel conference for our ‘youth delegates’ who will learn alongside teachers, take part in performances and reflect on what their music education means to them.

Keynote presentations will come from Prof. Nate Holder, and Christopher Stephens HMI. Nate holder is an advocate for inclusive and anti-racist approaches to music education, if you haven’t heard it before listen to his poem ‘If I were a racist’ . Christopher Stephens is Ofsted’s national lead for music. He has recently shared extremely useful thoughts and advice for teachers on areas such as assessment, mastery and OFSTED deep dives. We are delighted that he will be able to speak directly to our music teachers here in Surrey. Both keynotes will include opportunities for Q&A from delegates.

The conference will take place in the magnificent setting of the University of Surrey with lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day.   Please book your tickets via our eventbrite site here. Early bird tickets are available until Friday 21 April.  

Conference activities will include: 

Keynote and discussion: The Power of Music to Change Lives, Nate Holder (Professor and International Chair of Music Education at the Royal Northern College of Music)

Keynote and discussion: Christopher Stevens (HMI and OFSTED Subject Lead for music in schools)

Youth delegate programme: will take place in parallel with the main conference. Youth delegates will participate in workshops led by conference workshop leaders, and will interact with the main conference at key points during the day

Secondary Forum: Pathways into the music industry (secondary/P16 focus)

Primary Forum:  Network, case studies, issues and discussion

Forum:  Music in Special Schools and Alternative Settings

Workshop: Musical Futures led by Fran Hannan based on the work of Prof. Lucy Green on ‘How pop musicians learn’ and using online classroom resources (primary and secondary focused sessions).

Workshop: Royal Opera House Primary singing focus exploring storytelling and music through the Royal Opera House’s Create and Sing programme. 

Presentation: Music and Displaced Children and Young People, led by Jim Pinchen from Surrey Arts and Kayte Cable Big Leaf Foundation about joint projects to support children and young people living in Surrey after being displaced due to conflict and/or persecution.

Workshop: From the Classroom to the Cloud, case study from The Windsor Boy’s School about using Music First online resources to support the music curriculum (secondary and primary focused sessions).

Workshop: Inclusive school bands and ensembles, led by Tim Palmer (Trinity Laban and Animate Orchestra).

Workshop: Sing Up, looking at using improvisation in singing as a route into song writing; including vocal percussion/beat boxing within song arrangements) secondary singing focus but also of interest to UKS2.

Workshop: Simple & Effective Audio Recording Techniques for the Classroom led by staff from the University of Surrey Tonmeister course.

Workshop: Royal Opera House Exploring dramatic storytelling and music through ROH Create and Sing. This version of the workshop will focus on work with transition aged students at upper KS2/lower KS3. 

Plenary panel discussion, including student delegate performance.

Singing Picnics 2023

Singing Picnics are back for 2023 and places are filling up quickly and allocated on first-come-first-served basis. We only have places remaining at Runnymede on Wednesday 28 June or Lingfield on Tuesday 11 July, so if you’d like your year 3-5 children to join us for singing in the sunshine, take a look at our website for details of how to apply. 

Secondary School Young Leaders: We have places available at three of our Singing Picnics for secondary school Young Song Leaders to help lead younger children in singing games alongside our professional team of vocal tutors. For more information, contact Nancy Gillio-Terry, Vocal Strategy Manager at nancy.gillioterry@surreycc.gov.uk

East SAYS let’s start singing our music!

Surrey Arts has launched a new singing ensemble in Limpsfield, Oxted to give young people aged 8-13 years the opportunity to sing and perform with other enthusiastic singers. Surrey Arts Young Singers (SAYS) is a new singing experience, led by Hannah Carpenter, where students will learn to sing songs from Bach to Beyoncé, combining movement and song, singing all the music they love.  

Area Manager for the East, Yvette Madden says ‘We are really excited about this new singing group as it will give young people based in the east of the county a chance to experience a fun and dynamic singing group and combine music from different genres.  We have an amazing tutor and are looking forward to future performances.’ 

Come and join us in this new adventure under the guidance of our fantastic tutors! No experience is needed, just the love of singing and having fun.  

Age range: 8 – 13 years 

Venue: Hazelwood School, Wolfs Hill, Limpsfield, Oxted RH8 0QU 

Day and time: Saturdays 9am – 10.30am 

Cost: £7.70 a session.  (no extra cost for existing area ensemble members)

Register for East SAYS

Just So Singers

Just So Singers is for those young people who love to sing! Led by experienced conductor Caroline Pearce with assistant teacher Lucy Zirins.  We are an adaptable, welcoming, and wholly inclusive group for young people age 9-19 years in mainstream education, with additional needs and for those attending SEND schools.

Maybe you struggle to feel part of a group, or have additional needs which require a celebratory, friendly, empathetic environment? Well, this vocal ensemble is right for you! We aim to celebrate and bring out the best in each individual, whilst promoting awareness of how to be a ‘team player’ through singing together.

Just So Singers is so much more than a singalong; we build self-esteem by encouraging a ‘can do’ attitude. There is opportunity within our rehearsals to share verbally and vocally, but no pressure to do so if you are not feeling confident that day.  We sing a range of songs, including many well-known ‘pop’ songs. We encourage signing, movement to music and actions, as well as simple percussion parts.

You may read; if so there are the words available to all our songs. You may prefer to learn as you listen and respond in the sessions; that’s great too! You may join in with Makaton signing, BSL or movement to music and that’s very welcome too! Whatever is right for you we will take on board. We believe music is for everyone to enjoy in their own way.

There will be opportunities to sing in front of an audience and build on those team skills developed in sessions: to take turns; work together; listen to each other and understand some of the important performance skills which translate into life skills for

the future.

Age range: 9 – 19 years 

Venue: Philip Southcote School, Weybridge, Addlestone, KT15 2QH

Day and time: Wednesday 3.45-4.45pm

Register for Just So Singers

Together at Home

Together at Home is an inclusive music ensemble for young people aged 9 – 19 who attend Special Schools in Surrey. Whilst there are no specific entry requirements and no audition process, participants need to be comfortable making music with peers and interacting with tutors via Zoom.

Together at Home will be led by a small, yet awesome team of music teachers who are experienced in supporting young people with a wide range of learning needs. Participants will be able to sing, vocalise and play percussion. If you have access to a drum that’s fantastic but not crucial as we will be teaching body percussion and using objects from around the home (don’t worry, not breakable ones!).

Age range: 9 – 19 years 

Venue: Online

Day and time: Tuesdays 5-6pm

Register for Together at Home

MusicFirst Young Creative Musician Festival

For students between 11 and 18 years old.  The only UK school and college composition festival that celebrates ALL genres of music.  Whether your students are classically trained and play an instrument, talented rappers and singer-songwriters or have a keen ear for

mixing sounds to produce unique tracks, the MusicFirst Young Creative Musician Festival

gives your students a platform to share their talents.

Winning students receive a Focusrite studio kit and personalised message from YolanDa, and the school will also receive a license of Soundtrap for Education for one year. MusicFirst are also offering any school who takes part the option to sign up for an extended trial of Soundtrap to use for the duration of the competition, so their students have a DAW to work with.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students and a great project for teachers to get them involved in over the coming. Entries must be submitted by Friday 2 June.  For more information and to sign up, visit https://lp.musicfirst.co.uk/young-creative-musician-festival

CPD

The Primary Singing Toolkit

The Primary Singing Toolkit is a free digital resource for primary music teachers, by the ISM Trust, in partnership with the Voices Foundation and supported by the Schools Music Association (SMA). Discover inspirational and practical singing strategies to enhance your music curriculum, and feel empowered to share the joy of singing with your students. 

Primary Singing Toolkit (ismtrust.org)

Music Mark: Ofsted Update on Schools

There is a recording now available of Music Mark’s presentation from Christopher Stevens HMI.  The presentation focuses on Ofsted ‘Deep Dives’ on music and should be of great interest to school music leaders.   You can find the recording and presentation slides here: 

Ofsted’s Deep Dives in Music | Music Mark

Early Years Singing 

Wednesday 19 April 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

Audience: EYFS & KS1

Session leader: Take Art

This session will provide an opportunity to develop your skills and confidence in delivering simple songs and instrumental work with very young children.  We will also look at ways of encouraging musical play, supporting it through adult interactions with children, and ways settings can celebrate children’s musical achievements.

Participants will:

·        Gain skills in learning a few appropriate rhymes and simple songs to develop very young children’s musicality 

·        Develop skills to notice and support very young children’s music-making in all areas of your setting

·        Watch and discuss young children’s spontaneous music making and look at ways adults might play creatively with them 

Discuss theoretical information to inform and support our practice, with a brief over-view of musical development of very young children and the benefits of music making in the early years.

Sign up via our CPD events form

Primary Music Network

Wednesday 26 April 16.00-17.30 via Zoom

Audience: Primary 

Session leader: Alex Bondonno

For all primary music teachers and music leaders in Surrey schools to discuss practical ways to provide a music provision in their school. We invite primary schools to present case studies and facilitate discussion on the current challenges, needs and seek to find solutions. This session will include a case study from St Nicholas Primary about First Start Music. We will also be looking at the new ISM and Voices Foundation Primary Singing Resources. Full agenda will be confirmed near the time. Send and points you would like discussed or case study ideas to alex.bondonno@surreycc.gov.uk.

Sign up via our CPD events form

An Inclusive Approach to Teenage Vocal Change

Thursday 4 May 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

Audience: Primary and Secondary

Session leader: Suzanne Chadwick

Growth spurts during puberty bring about a period of extraordinary physical growth for both girls and boys which has a dramatic effect in boys’ voices. Girls’ voices also undergo a period of more subtle, but often noticeable, change. Teenagers find that their singing range completely alters and their voice becomes unpredictable, leading to frustration, self-consciousness and ultimately a lack of confidence and reluctance to sing. 

This workshop will provide participants with a clear explanation of the effects of pubertal growth on both boys’ and girls’ voices and the vocal difficulties that are frequently faced by teenagers and those undergoing hormonal change. It will also outline a number of practical strategies and approaches in order to equip teachers and choir directors with ideas for creating an inclusive approach that aims to encourage young people to continue to engage with singing.

Suzanne Chadwick, MA (Music), MA (Voice Pedagogy), is a graduate of the University of St Andrews and the University of Wales Trinity St David. Suzanne is a passionate educator of young singers and combines her many years of performing and teaching experience with an active engagement in voice science and research. She is currently completing a PhD on the subject of the adolescent male voice, and also includes vocal registers, breathing methodology and vocal health in her research interests. Sign up via our CPD events form

Create and Sing CPD Workshops

Thursday 27 April 16.00–17.30 (online)

Tuesday 23 May 13.00–16.00 (in-person)

Audience: Primary School Teachers

Session Leaders: Royal Opera House artists

Create and Sing from the Royal Opera House is coming to Surrey with a NEW and FREE offer for schools to take part in! No previous experience of music or drama is needed for teachers to take part. 

Made specifically for primary school teachers, as part of the Royal Opera House National Schools Program (roh.org.uk), it combines: 

• Practical CPD training – designed to build your creative confidence to facilitate learning through the arts. 
• High quality, National Curriculum-linked learning resources – offering detailed and flexible schemes of work. 
• Termly live and interactive digital events – which connect your classes directly to the artists of the Royal Opera Company. 

You can take part in our practical teacher training in two-parts:

Part 1 online: Thursday 27 April 16.00–17.30 book your FREE place here

Part 2 at Furzefield Primary School, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3PA: Tuesday 23 May 13.00–16.00 book your FREE place here

Alternative Part 2 Session. We will be offering an alternative in-person session in the Autumn Term for teachers who can’t make our May date!  Register your interest via our CPD events form and watch this space!

Once you have completed the Create and Sing CPD training, you are invited to use the resources with your class in the way that best suits you.

Easy to deliver across a half term.  Once your training is complete you will receive termly invites to optional interactive digital workshops, led by Royal Opera House artists, which bookend an optional and flexible 5 lesson scheme of work. Find out more on our website.  

An Introduction to Music and Makaton

Wednesday 24 May 16.00-17.00 via Zoom

Audience: Special schools, music teachers working in SEN settings

Session leader: Jane Allen

This session is aimed at teachers who work using music as a tool to support Children and Young People with Special Needs and Disabilities. During the session the trainer will explore the role of Makaton to support participant’s musical development and inclusion as well as sharing some useful signs and symbols that can be put straight into practice.

Sign up via our CPD events form

Available: Electone Yamaha Electric Organ

Following the relocation of Surrey County Council, this Electone Yamaha Electric Organ was removed from the decommissioned County Hall and now needs a new home.

If anyone knows of anywhere it could be useful, please email Paula.Camp@Surreycc.gov.uk.

Dear colleague,

We are delighted to be sending you our first newsletter of this academic year, and we send it with very best wishes to all Surrey teachers for the coming year in school. Below you will find news and information about opportunities for schools, including an exciting programme of CPD for the autumn term, delivered both by Surrey Arts and by external provider organisations.

As you will be aware, the new National Plan for Music Education was announced by the DFE just before the summer. This will be an important focus for Surrey Music Hub and Surrey Arts during the coming year and will be an important topic for discussion at the Primary Music Network, and also at Music Mark’s OFSTED Update on Music in Schools. Other CPD this term includes a variety of practical workshops, both online and face-to-face, covering various aspects of music making in primary schools, an introduction to the latest version of Charanga’s Musical School, and a session on whole class teaching using GarageBand. Please see below for full details.

We are also pleased to remind schools about our Wardrobe Hire where you can find an amazing range of costumes for your productions, workshops and projects, see below for full details.

Finally, to help us provide the best possible service to schools, please note our request regarding signing up to CPD sessions, and also do let us know if your school would be interested in being a host school for one of our CPD sessions.

Kind regards,

John Stephens

Curriculum Manager Surrey Arts and Lead for Culture Box Surrey

National Plan for Music Resources

Open Ensemble Rehearsals Week

Primary Music Festival 2023 Dates

Music Mark Membership for schools

Wardrobe News

Baroque Sessions from The Benedetti Foundation

CPD Events

New Music Plan Resources

Music Mark have collated resources on the new National Plan for Music Education from many different sources.  This can be found on their website:  https://www.musicmark.org.uk/resources/national-plan-for-music-education-2022-the-power-of-music-to-change-lives/  

We will be discussing the impacts of the new plan at the Primary Music Network on Wednesday 21 September.  In the meantime, a very good summary of the impact for schools can be found at The Music Teachers Association website:  https://www.musicteachers.org/npme/

Surrey Arts Open Ensemble Rehearsals Week 17-23 September 

Surrey Arts provides over 40 different choirs, bands, orchestras and music groups across the county, for all ages and abilities.  Our Open Rehearsals Week gives young people of all abilities the opportunity to come and try an ensemble, for free.  The aim of this week is to encourage young musicians to play a musical instrument of their choice in a setting that’s best for them.  Playing an instrument has many benefits; including helping to boost or aid development, as well as providing the opportunity to have fun and make new friends.

For more information on area specific ensembles across Surrey, please visit: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/arts/music/

Primary Music Festival 2023 dates

We were delighted to welcome schools back for the Primary Music Festival season in 2022 and have now confirmed the following dates for the 2023 season. Applications will open shortly! 

Date	Area	Venue
Monday 24 April	Mole Valley	Dorking Halls
Wednesday 26 April	Woking & North Surrey	Dorking Halls
Thursday 11 May	South East Surrey	Dorking Halls
Monday 15 May	East Surrey	Dorking Halls
Tuesday 16 May	Elmbridge	Dorking Halls
Thursday 25 May	West Surrey	Princes Hall
Wednesday 14 June	Mid-Surrey	Dorking Halls
Thursday 15 June	Epsom & Ewell	Dorking Halls
Tuesday 20 June	Surrey Borders	Dorking Halls

Keep an eye on your email for details of how to apply for your school to take part. To make sure you’re on our Primary Music Festival mailing list, email paula.camp@surreycc.gov.uk or becca.jones@surreycc.gov.uk

Music Mark Membership for Schools

Surrey arts is able to offer all schools in Surrey free membership of Music Mark,  the UK’s subject association for music education.   Music Mark membership can offer your school opportunities for training and networking, as well as useful resources.  You can find out more here.  

In order to apply for membership please complete this form.   To be granted membership we ask you to write a short statement which addresses the Music Mark membership criteria, and shows:

• evidence of a willingness to engage in developmental conversations related to improving music provision, including with the Music Hub

• recognition of the value of music education as part of a broad and balanced curriculum

• a strategy for music in place which provides for all children

• evidence of engagement with Surrey Music Hub

Applications should be made with the support of the school’s headteacher.

Wardrobe News

Wardrobe is raring to go and looking forward to welcoming you back for the Autumn term, which is traditionally our busiest period.  Surrey Arts Wardrobe provides theatrical costume hire and educational resource for schools, drama groups and industry professionals; offering a unique collection of thousands of items of costume, vintage clothing and accessories to bring your shows, productions and events to life.  

Browse our wardrobe!  If you haven’t been to our Wardrobe for a while, or are new to our service, we encourage you to book a ‘prep’ appointment to come and explore our vast stock and discuss your aspirations for your next school production or topic workshop.

Costumes can be reserved for up to six weeks before your hire date and we operate an appointment only system for pick-ups and drop offs.  If you are a regular hire customer, you could benefit from our membership programme, which includes 15% off our listed prices and a free ‘borrow’ week for fittings but membership is no longer compulsory for invoiced hire.

As accessories make a look more believable, we have reduced the prices on many of our accessories to help you complete outfits at an affordable price.  You can find an up-to-date price guide and contact details on our website www.surreyartswardrobe.org.uk

Baroque Sessions from The Benedetti Foundation

The Benedetti Foundation is delighted to present a new edition of the Baroque Virtual Sessions. Taking place between 26 September and 2 October, we will be joined by internationally acclaimed Baroque Specialists including: Rachel Podger (violin), David Watkin (cello), Leo Duarte (oboe), Liz Kenny (lute), Steven Devine (harpsichord), Ursula Paludan Monberg (horn). 

From 26-30 September, we will be releasing a series of short films exploring a range of baroque concepts. We hope these will be particularly of interest to students studying baroque as part of their exam-based music courses, and teachers can access this resource free of charge.  They will be added to our existing Discover Baroque video resources.

On the weekend of 1-2 October, each baroque specialist will lead a live 1-hour session exploring the baroque era through the eyes of their instrument / family of instruments. These sessions are open to all ages, all instruments, all levels and they will be recorded and made available to all registered participants for 3 months.

Full information and the registration form can be found here. There is a registration fee of £15 to cover costs, and full bursaries available to anyone (just tick the box on the form). The closing date to register to join in the live weekend is 30 September. 

Schools who wish to register to receive the resources and access to the recorded sessions can do so free of charge by entering a lead teacher’s information.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact info@benedettifoundation.org

Booking CPD sessions

It is important for us to have a good idea of who is attending our CPD sessions, so that we know they are viable, and can prepare according to the group size we are expecting.  

We would ask for your assistance and only sign up via the Autumn CPD events form for those sessions you intend to attend, and please let us know as early as possible if you will not be joining a session for any reason. 

Primary Music Network 

Wednesday 21 September 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

A session for all primary music teachers and music leaders in Surrey schools to discuss practical ways to provide a music provision in their school.  We invite primary schools to present case studies and facilitate discussion on the current challenges, needs and seek to find solutions.  This session will include a vocal warm up from Cole Bendall and presentation from ABRSM on their 200 pieces digital resources.  We will be using the session to have a detailed discussion around the New Music Plan and its implications for your schools.  

Full Agenda will be confirmed nearer the time.  Send points you would like discussed to alex.bondonno@surreycc.gov.uk

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

New Music Coordinators Workshop

Wednesday 28 September 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

New to being a music coordinator? Want practical ideas on how to take on this role at your school? Perhaps you have been in the role for a while, but would like more support and ideas? Whether you are a musician or not, taking on the challenge of leading music at a school can be a daunting task, but highly rewarding! Led by Alex Bondonno (Surrey Arts) and Kate Sweeney (St John’s Primary), this workshop will give you practical ideas on how to be an effective music leader for your school, looking at curriculum, instrumental uptake, choirs and ensembles and just getting music happening in your school.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Inclusive drum circles and body percussion workshop

Saturday 1 October 11.00-12.00 at The Bridge Youth Centre, Leatherhead, KT22 7RB

Led by Ollie Tunmer from Beat Goes On, this free, bite size workshop will equip participants with new skills and activities to imbed within their practice. The workshop is aimed at music teachers who have already had some experience of incorporating percussion and movement within their sessions with young people and are interested in developing their inclusive practice.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Start Your Choir!

Wednesday 5 October 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

Start your choir: how to teach a song, find diverse material and lead primary school children in singing. If you’re new to leading singing in your school or just want some fresh ideas to help energise your primary school choir, this is the session for you! Learn some new techniques, explore new songs, and come away with some practical materials that you can put to use right away with your children using tried and true teaching methods. Led by Ula Weber (Sing for Pleasure, National Teachers’ Choir, Ex Cathedra), this is a great confidence booster for the new year!

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Music with a focus on rhythm in EYFS and KS1:  Stephen Grocott

Tuesday 11 October 16.00-17.30 in Person, Location TBC 

This practical workshop is full of material and ideas to enhance learning, performance and creativity. It will focus on the rhythmic elements in music and their connection with movement, language and mathematics and participants will learn: 

•        New highly enjoyable and memorable songs and rhymes that can make the basis of music teaching and contribute to sociable mat times 

•        Ways of using this material with a focus on finding and making rhythm patterns with and without percussion instruments 

•        How rhythm work connects with mathematical thinking and language acquisition as well as addressing each part of the revised EYFS statutory framework 

•        How to move from improvising with rhythm to the beginnings of composition with or without instruments and including tuned percussion 

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Teaching Rhythm in the KS2 Classroom

Tuesday 18 October 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

Rhythm is a fundamental skill that is the foundation for all musical performance.   Alex Bondonno leads a practical workshop giving ideas on how to teach and embed rhythmic skills for all your pupils allowing them to grow into aspiring young musicians.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

SMH Inclusion Networking Event

Tuesday 1 November 14.00-16.00 via Zoom

An opportunity to hear about music opportunities for vulnerable children and young people as well as make connections, find solutions and discuss the topics that are currently important to attendees.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

The Role of Play in Children’s Musical Learning and Singing

Thursday 3 November 15.45-17.15 via Zoom

Singing doesn’t always have to take place in the choir! Establishing a culture of singing-play in your classroom is easier than you might think and can have significant benefits on your classroom community and each individual child’s wellbeing, vocal and musical development, and personal and social skills. This session led by Ex Cathedra’s Rebecca Ledgard will leave you with lots of activities to enjoy doing with your children. Rebecca has worked as Ex Cathedra’s Director of Education and Participation since 2000 and has led Singing Playgrounds and other significant projects across the UK and internationally. She was bestowed with honorary membership for the services to music education by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Voices Foundation: Choral Excellence

Thursday 10 November 16.00-17.30 at Chertsey High School, Addlestone KT15 2EP

A session to help develop the choral leadership skills of teachers/MEH staff to lead high quality, whole school singing and choir sessions. This session is appropriate for new choir leaders or more experienced leaders who would like to further develop their leading skills. It makes a good follow-on session from our October “Start Your Choir!” workshop.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Introduction to Charanga Musical School 

Monday 14 November 16.00-17.30 at Salesian School, Chertsey, KT16 9LU

A face to face training session for Surrey schools who are new to, or want to discover more, about the Original Charanga Scheme.  Led by Timothy Bond.

To attend this in person CPD session, register here

Introducing the Music of the 2023 Primary Festival Concerts – workshop 1

Tuesday 15 November 15.45-17.00 via Zoom

The Surrey Primary Festival concerts are back! Come along to this online workshop with conductor Cole Bendall as an introduction to Teresa Jennings’ “Positive” and some of the other music to be included in the 2023 Primary Festival concerts. This is a good way to have a first listen to the songs your children will be singing and to get some ideas for ways to teach the music in your school. A follow-on workshop with more teaching tips will be offered in January.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

GarageBand class teaching for KS2

Tuesday 22 November 16.00 -17.00 at Surrey Arts, 14 The Pines, Guildford, GU3 3BH

A workshop exploring teaching years 5 & 6 how to compose using GarageBand. This session, with our Digital Music Lead, James Crompton, will provide lesson ideas for teaching full classes to create their own musical projects; teach students how to make voice collages & sonic art, video game themes, raps & vocals, rock & pop and dance music. GarageBand is easy to use, and notes are available with lesson ideas, learning objectives and studio tips. The workshop would suit both class teachers and music specialists looking to get their pupils exploring and creating their own music digitally.

Sign up via the Autumn CPD events form

Charanga and the Model Music Curriculum 

Monday 5 December 16:00-17:00 via Zoom

Please note change of date due to National Bank Holiday

Surrey Arts and Charanga warmly invite you to this high-level overview looking at the structure of the Charanga units, the range of learning activities and supporting documentation.  Led by Timothy Bond.

To attend this online CPD session, register here

External CPD spotlight

Below we highlight some free music workshops by other providers, that may be of interest 

KS1 & KS2 focused interactive workshop from the Royal Opera House

Tuesday 4 October, 14.00-15.00, via Teams

This LIVE workshop invites schools to join ROH music and drama practitioners as they rehearse and lead participants through a culmination performance; followed by a special opportunity to meet an opera singer.

Register your class and/or school by Friday 30 September, to take part in this pilot study for ‘What is Opera?’ as the ROH explore how to best support school communities in providing access to the Royal Opera House.  If you have any questions, please contact createandsing@roh.org.uk

Music Mark Event:  OFSTED Update on Music in Schools

Wednesday 5 October, 16.00-17.15 (online) 

Ofsted’s HMI National Lead for music, Christopher Stevens will discuss effective assessment in music and includes 15 minutes for questions.

Signup for this Music Mark Event