Planning for the 2020 London Music and Drama Education Expo has taken place amid interesting times. As I write, we prepare ourselves for yet another general election – the third in five years – meaning we have little sense of what the policies of the next education secretary might be when the Expo rolls round on 4 and 5 March. At least music education hubs in England will continue to be funded until March 2021 – but we have no real idea whether the EBacc and its disastrous effects on creative subjects will live on in the next administration. It's a confusing time, to say the least.
But somehow, in spite of all this, many aspects of music education have never been in ruder health. Yes, we have shrinking school provision and other challenges galore, but it seems that our sector has decided to focus on the positive and get on with our best work regardless. It is this spirit that has informed the 2020 London Expo programme, which aims to transcend familiar political woes and instead use every available slot to shine a light on the great work going on across music and drama learning, to help and inspire you in every facet of your teaching.
A different politics
We've taken a fresh approach to the politics of music education this year, turning our attention to matters of inclusion, diversity and SEND, which are focus themes on day 2 (5 March). This day will see keynotes on musical learning for deaf musicians, how hubs can open up to disabled learners, and rap club: embracing youth culture. And with domestic politics being a topic many of us have had our fill of right now, we turn our attention to an inspiring new piece of cultural education legislation in Italy, also on day 2 in the Keynote Theatre.
Ofsted is always a hot topic for teachers, but with that organisation no longer fielding a figurehead for music, we've left it to experienced educators to explain how the new framework is likely to affect you. On day 1 (4 March), Dr Elizabeth Stafford will explore Ofsted's new ‘deep dive’ into primary music (see also page 29 of this issue), and on day 2 a session on building a successful secondary music department will also include Ofsted guidance. Drama teachers will find an Ofsted session addressing their subject on day 1 in the Seminar Theatre.
Lucky dip: five sessions
Listening before telling: responding to youth voice. Exploring how developing resources for responding to youth voice can benefit music services and instrumental music tutors. Day 2, Sharing Lab.
Notation, aural learning or both? A thoughtful session asking whether your classroom music curriculum really considers the needs of your students. Day 2, Workshop.
Get on Your Feet! A contemporary music and wellbeing project. Introducing units of work that use musical activities as a vehicle for personal, social and emotional development. Day 2, Workshop.
Musical play and stories to nurture communication in young children with additional needs. A session offering a range of techniques for using music and stories as communication tools in early SEND teaching. Day 1, Seminar Theatre.
Friday Afternoons: invigorate singing in your school. Friday Afternoons’ teacher ambassadors share techniques and resources from this innovative school singing programme. Day 1, Sharing Lab.
Instrumental excellence
Instrumental teaching is a focus theme for day 1, and a particular highlight will be the pop and contemporary masterclass in the Keynote Theatre, following on from Nicola Benedetti's popular classical violin masterclass last year. Straight after that, also in the Keynote Theatre, the educator Paul Harris will present a thought-provoking session on teaching unconditionally, while the final keynote of day 1 will address performance anxiety and how to manage it. For those interested in coaching techniques for instrumental and vocal teachers, try the final keynote talk of day 2, presented by the mentoring expert Jane Booth.
The Expo will host many other sessions for instrumental and vocal teachers in its variety of different spaces.
These include two sessions on different aspects of piano teaching, plus teaching music theory in the 21st century and a Bollywood-based progression project following on from whole-class ensemble teaching (all on day 1).
Early years and primary
Early years and primary will form another day 1 focus. The one and only Gareth Malone will warm everyone up vocally to kick things off first thing, before giving a session on some new primary singing resources he has written with Catherine de Sybel. Straight after, the inimitable Sue Nicholls will present a session entitled
‘Sing a song, tell a tale’ for early years and KS1. The same day will see all afternoon in the Workshop space devoted to sessions on inclusive primary orchestras, facilitating positive musical experiences for the youngest learners, and how to use your musical instruments trolley with early years children.
Secondary and tech
Day 2 will feature secondary music topics, especially in the Workshop, with hands-on sessions covering composing and creativity, behaviour management, contemporary music and wellbeing, cross-curricular projects with science, and modulos: small and inclusive mixed ensembles. Day 1 will also offer some choice sessions for secondary teachers, including essay writing in music and drama, supportive critical feedback in the classroom, and moving away from the term ‘gifted and talented’. Another day 2 focus will be tech, with sessions on Novation Launchpads, Calmus Composer and the pros and cons of e-learning in music.
Find full details of the programme and register for your free place online. Please note that a minority of sessions may be subject to change. A full programme will appear in a future issue of MT.
