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WCIVT and Workshops


The DfES wants every child to have access to music tuition. This has been piloted nationwide through a broadening of access to instrumental and vocal tuition in KS2 in the classroom, rather than in the more traditional way of small groups and individuals.

In the last four years NCMS has developed five pilot schemes: Brass Band and Samba band projects in Ashington, Recorder projects in Blyth and a Folk Song and Dance / instrumental project in Seaton Sluice.

This year we have created a new Soundstart project involving over 100 children in Blyth. We now have the expertise within our organisation to make a greater impact on the artistic lives of children in Northumberland Schools.

So what are wider opportunites?
From April 2007, schools will be given Standards Fund money specifically for music projects. We would like to encourage music co-ordinators to use this funding to enrich pupils’ musical knowledge and understanding in line with the stated aims of The Music Manifesto:
MORE HERE

The Wider Opportunities in Music initiative has developed quickly over the last few years. Originally offered at KS2 to encourage more learning of instruments, it is now expanding into KS3 through the Musical Futures scheme of work, and lately into KS1 too. WCIVT (Whole class instrumental & vocal tuition) is a way of introducing all children to the enjoyment and benefits of learning a musical instrument. This can be undertaken from Reception, right through the school age range, with appropriate choices of instruments. In the first school, choices might include tuned percussion such as chime bars and xylophones, or recorders and fifes. The acquiring of correct techniques, and the ability to work as part of a team, are major learning objectives for this kind of project.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)
 
Educational Benefits

Schools who have already trialled this service have noticed the benefits to the children. In one particular study, run in conjunction with John Kirton, Northumberland’s Senior Educational Psychologist, with the whole school involved:
 
Improved behaviour in and around school was particularly noted.
Parents were also very positive about the benefits and the enjoyment of the children.
Instrumental lessons of this type will ensure that children receive a quality music curriculum.
Working with class teachers, a programme of study can be outlined to ensure that children are receiving coverage of appropriate objectives.
All children have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and therefore have access to the development of related skills.
Research has shown that learning a musical instrument from an early age improves learning in all areas of the curriculum.
Music facilitates learning and encourages the brain to work in more efficient ways, develops and practises fine motor skills and improves self confidence through performance and achievement.
Ensemble playing encourages the development of social skills such as listening, cooperation, consideration, appreciation and compromise.
Learning and playing music together is an enjoyable experience which often continues into adulthood.
Inclusive workshops for all are available in singing, street samba, African hand drumming, steel pans, tuned percussion and composition. We also provide arts workshops to suit schools’ own themed educational projects, and teacher training aimed at helping schools to enrich curricular arts, especially collaborative projects within the extended schools’ partnerships Workshops/Projects
For further information, including information on costings and bookings, please contact:
Lesley Scott 01670 533526 LScott@northumberland.gov.uk