The Rhinegold theatre at Manchester's Music & Drama Education Expo opened with a simple, but disarmingly moving song, as teachers and practitioners from across the UK learned Performing Arts etc's Raise Your Voice, a piece written by children from seven different primary schools. Led by Performing Arts etc founder Sam Dunkley, the session set the tone for a fun and thought-provoking conference (11 October). The words summarised the sentiment expressed by organisers, exhibitors and delegates alike: voices in harmony [are] always strong.
That message was later echoed in Dr Jonathan Savage's presentation, which shared work undertaken in the wake of the Musician Union (MU)'s Education Report last year. Savage, who is a staunch supporter of music education, revealed anecdotal evidence that suggests that policy makers feel current campaigns – such as calls to end the English Baccalaureate performance measure, improve funding for schools and widen access to instrumental music lessons – are too fragmented. There are currently over 150 different pressure groups advocating for music education, and there are concerns that our voices are becoming too disparate. Clearly, there is strength in harmony, although how to achieve this is not yet clear.
Elsewhere at the Expo, we heard from Gregory Daubney and Dr Ally Daubney, who offered innovative ways of addressing performance anxiety, and ABRSM's Lincoln Abbotts, who introduced a new mixed-ensemble resource called Group Loops! – and showcased some of his fantastic flute-led leadership. You can read a full report of the event on p41.
I was excited to learn that MT's annual keyboard edition was to fall within my acting editorship. Having previously edited International Piano magazine, I must admit to having a penchant for pianos (and clavichords, clavinovas and everything in between). It was a privilege to speak to this year's winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year, pianist Lauren Zhang (pp21-22), as well as feature Trinity's new Head of Keyboard Sergio de Simone (pp36-39), plus a charming new piano method for beginners (pp51-52). And if you're not keyboard inclined, fear not; there's plenty more to leaf through.
As ever, we always like to hear from you – please get in touch via the details on p8. We'll be introducing a prize for letter of the month as of next issue, so do get scrawling.
