MEC Seminar: Music Education: ‘Ten Years On’ a Strategic Review

Thursday 15th July 2021, 10.00am - 12.00pm

On the 25th of November 2011, ‘The Importance of Music: a national plan for music education’ was published as part of the 2010-2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. Darren Henley’s review into music education in England, which was published in February of the same year, set out a vision for music education calling for a national plan for music education in England and music education hubs as lead organisations in the delivery of music education. In Scotland, the 2019 report, What’s Going on Now? explores the current state of music education and highlights the widening gap between the “haves and have nots”.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, many constructive conversations were taking place across the sector exploring what a revised National Plan for Music Education 2.0 might look like. With an advanced stage strategic review in Northern Ireland currently on pause, also due to the pandemic, and a new plans taking shape in Wales, music education is seemingly in a state of flux. Ten years on, this seminar asks ‘how well is music education strategy performing across the United Kingdom’? and ‘what next for music education’?

Join colleagues from across the sector for a strategic review.

Speakers and panellists include:

• Chi-chi Nwanoku, OBE, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director, Chineke! Orchestra
• Hannah Fouracre, Director, Music Education, Arts Council England
• Matt Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, National Foundation for Youth Music
• Bridget Whyte, Chief Executive Officer, Music Mark
• John Wallace, Chair, Music Education Partnership Group, Scotland
• Sam Stimpson, CEO, SLS 360, Arts & Music Education Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultants
• Emma Coulthard, Head of Music Service for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan
• James Dickinson, Head of Kingston-Upon-Hull Music Service and Chair of Music Mark
• Dan Somogyi, Director, SoundStorm
• Don Gillthorpe, President, Music Teachers Association
• Neil Blundell, Executive Principal, Cathedral Schools Trust

Programme

10am-10.05am

Welcome

Fiona Pendreigh, Chair of the Music Education Council and Phil Castang Chair Elect

10.05am-10.15am

Keynote

Chi-chi Nwanoku, OBE, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director, Chineke! Orchestra

10.15am-10.45am

Strategy and Big picture

Chaired by Philip Flood, panellists consider the Seminar’s two central questions ‘how well is music education strategy performing across the United Kingdom’? and ‘what next for music education’?

Panellists

• Matt Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, National Foundation for Youth Music

• Hannah Fouracre, Director, Music Education, Arts Council England

• Bridget Whyte, Chief Executive Officer, Music Mark

10.45am-10.55am

Music Mark, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report

Samantha Stimpson presents key findings and an update on the sectors response. The Music Mark ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report was commissioned by Music Mark, in partnership with London Music Education Hubs, written and prepared by Samantha Stimpson.

10.55am-11.25am

Young people and Schools

Chaired by Phil Castang, this panel again considers the seminars two central questions with a focus on schools and opportunities for young people.

Panellists

• Dan Somogyi, Director, SoundStorm

• Don Gillthorpe, President, Music Teachers Association

• Neil Blundell, Executive Principal Cathedral Schools Trust

• Chi-chi Nwanoku, OBE, Founder, Artistic & Executive Director, Chineke! Orchestra

11.25am-11.55am

Music Education, the UK Picture

Chaired by Bridget Whyte, this panel focuses on the next ten years of music education, with special reference to the changes in music education taking place around the UK.

Panellists

• John Wallace, Chair, Music Education Partnership Group, Scotland

• Emma Coulthard, Head of Music Service for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan

• James Dickinson, Head of Kingston-Upon-Hull Music Service and Chair of Music Mark

• Fiona Pendreigh, Chair, Music Education Council

11.55am-12pm

Summary and Next Steps with Phil Castang

FAQs

Is there a registration fee?

Yes, registration for this seminar is £6 but free for MEC members.

We will email a code to members that can be entered at checkout so you can attend this event for free. If you are a member and have not received your code please contact us at: members@mec.org.uk

Must I be a MEC Member to attend?

No, we invite and encourage anyone interested in this topic to attend.

Can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Yes, please email members@mec.org.uk for any questions regarding the event . We will try to respond to you within 2-3 business days.