• Composing with words

    Asking a pupil to come up with a rhythm or a melody can be very intimidating. They have complex musical ideas swimming in their heads yet they might not possess the technical or notational capabilities to share these ideas with others. For me, the biggest hurdle in composing is getting the ideas and sharing them…

  • Winterreise re-imagined?

    I had high hopes for Daniel Behle and his Winterreise arrangement, performed at the Wigmore Hall on 19 April. I had in my mind the ‘reimaginings’ of Christopher O’Riley, Luciano Berio and could not decide whether I would hear a mere extension of the original or something completely different. The interpretation of the cycle was…

  • Composing water at GCSE and A-level

    There regularly seems to be a composition brief about water. Many composers have attempted to capture unending, unpredictable and delicate water and it remains a challenge to do well. You can hear perhaps the most famous example of a river in music <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdtLuyWuPDs”>here</a&gt;. Notice how the river is established musically (the flowing water manifests…

  • Swafford’s ‘Beethoven: Anguish and Tragedy’

    Thoughtful Christmas gift of Jan Swafford’s recent Beethoven biography made an interesting read; still in progress but it is a brisk read. A module on Beethoven was part of my first year of undergraduate studies (taught by David Wyn-Jones, author of The Life of Beethoven) and I recall his warning that anything about the composer…

  • Bach Mass in B Minor: Vivace Chorus and the Brandenburg Sinfonia

    Bach’s Mass in B minor is a work of immense symmetry, beauty and power and Jeremy Backhouse brought it alive with the Vivace Chorus’ performance on Saturday 15 November at Guildford Cathedral. It can be a difficult acoustic but the chorus, orchestra (Brandenburg Sinfonia) and soloists were balanced with aplomb. The opening Kyrie was carefully…

  • Preparing all for KS4 Music

    My first Inspire Event for Teach Through Music focused on the transition to KS4 Music; well, more than that in fact. How do we ensure all pupils taking KS3 are prepared to continue into KS4? Is GCSE the only route after KS3? Typically 8% will carry on – quoted by Keith Evans in his provocative…

  • Creativity and imagination in composition

    It was great to meet a group of music teachers who attended my new course for Keynote, ‘Creativity and Imagination in GCSE Composition’. I was thrilled to be invited to write such a course; initially it felt rather daunting but it soon became apparent that I could draw on many previous experiences. Many teachers feel…

  • TTM Video

    Do share this video with other music teachers in London https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sDJDf8ThQQ8 – “Heard about Teach Through Music? We’re recruiting our final places for KS3 music teachers who want to get involved in this unique CPD opportunity for the year 2014-15. Funded by the Department for Education and the Mayor of London, Teach Through Music is a…

  • CPD through Music

    I took up singing lessons a year ago. I’m always on the hunt for a new endeavour and something that can feed my musical self as well as provide me with new ideas and repertoire for my own teaching. There’s something quite unique about being taught an instrument or voice as you form a very…

  • Teach Through Music

    I’m very pleased to a Fellow for Teach Through Music – a year of fully subsidised professional development, support and inspiration for KS3 Music in London.  Official enrolment for Teach Through Music is now open, and with 75% of the quota already filled, you will need to register quickly to secure a place. Visit www.teachthroughmusic.org.uk…