• Originally posted on Steven Berryman: Any opportunity to critically reflect on my practice as a teacher is always welcome, and today I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar reflecting on what outstanding teaching looks like, led by the music teacher who taught me as a teenager. My own music teachers were pivotal in shaping…

  • A right way to teach composing?

    With composition a compulsory part of the school music curriculum (at all levels) I continually reflect on my approach to teaching composing. The range of activities vary from whole class, small groups to individuals and emcompass a breadth of styles and genres. There can never be one method but a series of strategies that can…

  • Music or Music History?

    Remember – pupils should be increasing their knowledge of music through engagement with musical sound, supported by acquiring further verbal knowledge about music. I completely agree with this statement from the recent OFSTED professional development materials for music education. The music should come first. What fascinates me is when the history and theory, this ‘further…

  • Music in Schools: Promoting Good Practice

    I was pleased to see guidance from HMI on observing musical teaching and learning. Perhaps this was something unwelcome by some, but as the document states it is ‘intended to promote dialogue and understanding about the features of good teaching that results in good musical learning’ (1). I like the format of guidance followed by…

  • Thrashing the Sea God

    This review was originally published on I Care If You Listen(.com). You can read it here: http://ht.ly/dpk6Y The Tête à Tête Opera Festival at the Riverside Studios, London, seeks to present new and challenging operatic works and this year featured more than seventy performances representing over thirty companies. The spectrum was incredibly broad and represented…

  • GCSE and A Level Music Entries Falling

    Music Teacher magazine today posted a news story regarding the falling entries for GCSE and A Level Music in the UK. Alarming? Perhaps, but there seems to be reasons why this might be the case that are out of the control of teachers. The story can be read here: http://www.rhinegold.co.uk/magazines/music_teacher/news/music_teacher_news_story.asp?id=1541 and comments from me are quoted within…

  • An Eye for an Eye: David Knotts’ Wild Evening with the Papin Sisters

    Review originally published by I Care if You Listen(.com) here: http://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2012/08/an-eye-for-an-eye-david-knotts-wild-evening-papin-sisters/ It is not only complete works that are presented at The Tête à Tête Opera Festival (Riverside Studios, London) but it also offers the opportunity to works in progress to get aired publicly and David Knotts’ An Eye for an Eye: A Wild Evening with the…

  • Ravel’s Operas: Parody and Pastiche

    After watching the wonderful Glyndebourne Ravel Double Bill, streamed live on the internet, I remembered that as an undergraduate I had written an essay exploring the same two operas. I’ve included the essay below – it is strange reading something from nine years ago and spotting all the errors… but I will leave it intact.…

  • BBC Proms 44: ‘Performing’ Matthew Herbert’s Remix

    Being the first to respond to the London Sinfonietta’s Facebook post requesting a volunteer to be part of an encore by the composer Matthew Herbert meant I was one of twelve to be part of Herbert’s new piece, an encore for the London Sinfonietta Prom on Tuesday 14 August. Using our smartphones we recorded pre-determined…

  • Unbroken Line

    I love collaboration. I thrive on it I think, and it is always exciting to have that first meeting to discuss a new project. My next incidental music project is for a solo show by Jamie Zubairi, Unbroken Line, that will be premiered in Ovalhouse this December. What particularly grabs me by the project is…