FMS-Blog : The Wildly Whimsical, Mostly Musical WebLog
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
National Singing Campaign
According to the BBC News, schools in England are to see an increase in funding to the tune of 10 million pounds to boost singing and music education in primary schools. The report reads:
With a drive towards including all children in mainstream education, I would welcome a strategy that puts music and the arts at the forefront of this battle. This latest campaign is being headed up by Howard Goodall, composer of choral music as well as of many theme tunes to television programmes such as Blackadder, Red Dwarf and Mr Bean, giving credibility to the project from the professional music sector as well as increasing the scope of publicity for it. This, in combination with the recent 'music lessons manifesto' designed to bring instrumental tuition to all children irrespective of background, seems like a really positive step toward recognising the important role music can play in and beyond school life. As Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, rightly stated last month:
He went on to say in that interview that being involved in musical performance can help children in care and those with other emotional and behavioural difficulties to counter their sense of isolation. We know, of course, that music can do this and so much more for society at large so it would only seem sensible to encourage schools, teachers, children and parents to be as actively involved in these pursuits as possible.
The extra cash will fund a national singing campaign in primary schools [and] will also allow choir schools to work closely with other local schools. A new songbook with a top 30 of songs for whole-class singing is to be compiled, with teachers and children nominating songs for inclusion.
With a drive towards including all children in mainstream education, I would welcome a strategy that puts music and the arts at the forefront of this battle. This latest campaign is being headed up by Howard Goodall, composer of choral music as well as of many theme tunes to television programmes such as Blackadder, Red Dwarf and Mr Bean, giving credibility to the project from the professional music sector as well as increasing the scope of publicity for it. This, in combination with the recent 'music lessons manifesto' designed to bring instrumental tuition to all children irrespective of background, seems like a really positive step toward recognising the important role music can play in and beyond school life. As Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, rightly stated last month:
Music enables self expression, protects against social alienation and encourages team working. As well as its therapeutic value, there is also increasing evidence that children who learn music perform better in exams, and find it easier to concentrate and memorise facts.
He went on to say in that interview that being involved in musical performance can help children in care and those with other emotional and behavioural difficulties to counter their sense of isolation. We know, of course, that music can do this and so much more for society at large so it would only seem sensible to encourage schools, teachers, children and parents to be as actively involved in these pursuits as possible.
