Music Teacher • 7th September 2022

Music teachers fear for income as energy bills soar

‘The harsh truth is that singing lessons are not a necessity when bill payers are assessing their outgoings’

Music Teacher • 1st September 2022

What do headteachers think of the National Plan for Music Education?

No two schools are the same, and every headteacher will have unique views about the NPME and its place in their school. Harriet Richards investigates.

Music Teacher • 1st September 2022

Philip Flood interview: beyond 'youth voice' and 'challenging circumstances'

What do we mean when we talk about ‘challenging circumstances’ and ‘youth voice’ in music education? Harriet Richards speaks to Sound Connections’ director Philip Flood about the meaning behind these oft-used phrases.

Music Teacher • 25th August 2022

GCSE Music entries in England hit new low

The number of students taking GCSE Music in England has fallen by 37.7 per cent since 2008.

Music Teacher • 19th August 2022

Music A Level entries keep pace with increase across the board

A 4 per cent increase in A Level Music entries this year reflects a 4.2 per cent increase in A Level entries overall.

Music Teacher • 18th August 2022

A Level Music attainment gap widens between independent and state schools

The gap between music students achieving an A or A* at independent schools and secondary comprehensive schools is the widest it’s been since pre-2017.

Music Teacher • 18th August 2022

42% achieve top grades in A Level Music compared to 19% when exams last sat

Music grades are significantly higher than in 2019 when exams were last taken - part of a planned 'transition period' across the board.

Music Teacher • 9th August 2022

Music has largest proportion of top grades at Scottish Advanced Highers level

Scotland’s sixth most popular Advanced Highers subject saw 55 per cent of students receive grade A on 2022’s summer results day.

Music Teacher • 4th August 2022

Left-wing think tank calls for national music service in England

The government has ‘failed to deliver’ on promises to remove barriers to music education, says a new report from the Fabian Society, supported by the Musicians’ Union.

Music Teacher • 1st August 2022

London Rhymes on 'openness, kindness, and okay-ness' in early years music

Winners of the Excellence in Primary/Early Years category at this year's Music & Drama Education Awards, London Rhymes produces ‘original tunes for today's tots’. Harriet Richards meets founder and singer Rosie Adediran, percussionist Rosie Bergonzi, and clarinettist Jessie Grimes to find out more.

Music Teacher • 1st August 2022

Alexis Ffrench interview: 'I like to think of myself as somewhat of a disrupter in all that I do'

Classical soul artist Alexis Ffrench was recently appointed as ABRSM's first artistic director. Harriet Richards meets him to find out more about his ambitions for the role.

Music Teacher • 25th July 2022

Latest ISM report finds 'unfair' music teacher working conditions

Peripatetic music teachers are often ‘taken for granted’, experience increased job insecurity, and are subject to ‘weaker’ terms and conditions.

Music Teacher • 20th July 2022

Music teacher secures holiday pay rights in ‘unanimous’ Supreme Court ruling

The ‘landmark’ Supreme Court judgment means an end to the widespread underpayment of holiday pay for term-time only workers in the education sector, says the ISM.

Music Teacher • 1st July 2022

David Lewis interview: Star of the show

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Music & Drama Education Awards, Young Voices founder David Lewis is celebrating the choir's 25th anniversary this year. Harriet Richards meets him to learn more about the man behind the biggest school choir in the world.

Music Teacher • 1st July 2022

Owain Wyn Evans interview: A ray of sunshine

Whether we're aware of it or not, many of us have preconceptions about what a ‘typical’ drummer looks like and the kind of music they play. Welsh journalist and broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans hopes he can show children that anyone can be a drummer, as Harriet Richards discovers.

Music Teacher • 25th June 2022

Long-awaited National Plan for Music Education published

Inclusion, partnerships and progression from early years onwards are the central aims of the refreshed plan for music education in England.

Music Teacher • 1st June 2022

In sync with the times: SYNKii for instrumental music teachers

Are online instrumental lessons things of the pandemic-related past? Co-founders of SYNKii think not, as Harriet Clifford discovers.

Music Teacher • 1st June 2022

Mental health and wellbeing column: One year of insight

Our mental health and wellbeing column has been running for a year, having been introduced in response to an increasing need for support for young people and teachers. Here, we refresh your memory of the contributions made by each of our partner organisations.

Music Teacher • 1st June 2022

Anna Lapwood interview: One of a kind

Organist, conductor and broadcaster Anna Lapwood has already done much to bring organ playing and choral singing into the 21st century and inspire a future generation of musicians. Harriet Clifford meets her to discuss everything from her education and career to ‘thatched roof TikTok’.

Music Teacher • 18th May 2022

ABRSM comments on leaked letter of no confidence in IT infrastructure

A letter of no confidence sent to the board’s senior management and signed by more than 70 ABRSM examiners has been leaked.