We’re pleased to announce that Sound Connections has been successful in our funding bid to Youth Music for our programme of work from 2012-14!

Sound Connections is delighted to have received funding for all four modules we applied for. These are:
Musical Inclusion
Networking - Early Years
Spotlighting - Early Years
Young Music Leadership

Following on from our highly successful Youth Music Action Zone and.....
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Musiko Musika are holding a conference on 14-15 June which focusses on improving and extending the cultural range and diversity of music provision for young people.

The Conference theme “Diversity and Inclusion - Models of multi-culturalism through Music” underpins the workshops, presentations and discussions over the two days, which will culminate in a concert to be given by the ECCO (Ethnic Contemporary Classical Orchestra).  “Music Education Across The Globe" will give.....
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The Mayor of London is looking for London's best young musicians to enter the city's favourite busking competition. Young musicians aged 11-25, who are either soloists or in a group of up to 20 members, are eligible to apply.

Applicants will need to send a musical performance, or apply for a live audition, and fill in a registration form to enter. The lucky acts will perform live throughout the Olympic summer, culminating.....
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Trinity College London, in association with The Open University, have launched SoundEd CPD, a new Continuing Professional Development programme. Designed for all music educators worldwide, SoundEd CPD will provide support and inspiration for all aspects of music teaching through flexible and personalised professional development.

SoundEd CPD is being launched on Trinity’s new online learning platform for teachers accessible at www.soundedcpd.org, where you can register to create your own account.

SoundEd.....
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‘Reaching Out’
Using music to connect with children in challenging circumstances

Tuesday 19 June 2012
9.30am – 4.00pm
(refreshments and registration from 9:00am)

‘Reaching Out’ is a one-day conference focussing on creative and imaginative ways to use music to engage young people, whatever the challenges they face. Whether because of language barriers, behavioural issues or a variety of additional needs, music can often be the most powerful way.....
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The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance has announced the launch of a new Masters Degree (MMus) for students of guitar, bass, drums or vocals. The course is designed to enable contemporary musicians who have excelled at undergraduate level (or who are demonstrably of this standard) to fully explore and develop their own unique, expressive and creative voices.

Read the full Press Release here

www.icmp.co.uk

Our colleague Rob Wells is currently travelling in the Americas and has created a blog researching social, artistic and educational projects in North, South, and Central America.

Robert teaches at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where he manages projects and programmes linking the Guildhall School with the Barbican Centre and rhw wider community. Robert has led projects for many of London’s leading arts organisations. He has advised on national.....
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Sound Connections is commissioning a piece of research to support the plans of our new CCC Network. This is a network of music making experts working with Children in Challenging Circumstances (CCC) and its work will support those working in the sector and raise the profile of the work done by these organisations and individuals.

This research will help us provide more effective information, advice and guidance, identify and address gaps in.....
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Sound Connections attended the Music Learning Live conference in London on 12 and 13 March in a number of guises - chairing panels, hosting debates, filming the conference and attending as delegates. It was a hugely informative couple of days, with debate and consensus in equal measures! We've gathered two very different points of view on the conference - Helen Finnegan, a Wired4Music member,.....
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A new Ofsted report examining music teaching has found wide differences in the quality and quantity of music education in schools across England. One in five of the schools visited were judged inadequate for music.

The report is based principally on evidence from 194 specialist music inspections and good practice visits in schools between 2008 and 2011, including curriculum lessons, additional instrumental and vocal tuition, and extra-curricular musical activities.

They found that.....
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MusicLeader DNA (Development Needs Analysis) is our tailored advice and guidance service for established practitioners working in music education. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your professional development ideas and aspirations with a specially trained adviser on a confidential, one-to-one basis.

Why have a DNA?
There are lots of great reasons!
- You want to take stock of your career to date and determine next steps
- You are unsure.....
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The Mayor’s Education Inquiry, which will run until September 2012, will explore the critical challenges facing London’s primary and secondary schools.The Mayor’s Education Inquiry, which will run until September 2012, will explore the critical challenges facing London’s primary and secondary schools.

It will examine key challenges for education in London and make recommendations for practical action with key partners including the boroughs, schools and policy-makers. Although GCSE results are improving, nearly.....
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This independent review of Cultural Education in England was commissioned at the request of the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries. Darren Henley, Managing Director of Global Radio's national classical music station, Classic FM, was asked to consider how we can ensure the ambition that every child should experience a wide variety of high quality cultural experiences, ensuring both quality and best.....
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LONSAS is hosting four twilight events in February and March for teachers to meet like-minded individuals, a wide variety of local creative practitioners and cultural organisations.

Join us for a free, informal opportunity to share experiences, learn new creative skills and form partnerships.

We are offering:
- Free taster sessions
- Art and cultural activities
- Information on trips, visiting artists, creative workshops and CPD opportunities
- Talks and tours provided by.....
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This prestigious national award is presented by the National Centre for Early Music and BBC Radio in partnership with The Tallis Scholars, for whom the young composers are asked to write a  new piece.  

There are two age categories, one for composers 18 years and under, and one for composers aged 19 to 25.

On Thursday 17 May 2012 a shortlist of entries will be workshopped by.....
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The Music House for Children has contributed significantly to the provision of music and movement sessions to very young children. Since 1994 our early years teaching work has been a consistent and evolving process involving research, teaching and collating traditional, new and appropriate material for this age group.

On Friday 23 March they will deliver 'Music and Movement training for young children - with an Olympic theme'. This is a practical workshop.....
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The Sound and Music Summer School is the only UK residential course of its kind for young composers and an inspiring and intensive week full of collaboration, fun, learning and creativity. Course dates are 5 - 11 August 2012 and will be held at The Purcell School of Music.

After the huge success of courses over the last three years, they are back to offer the Sound and Music Summer School 2012.

It’ll give.....
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Sound Connections hosted a “Music & the Olympics” seminar at the end of January, which initiated a lively debate around opportunities for young people and local organisations throughout 2012. We’ve collated some information on what’s happening across London and how young people can get involved.

Opportunities

BBC Radio 1 Hackney Weekender
The latest information on the Hackney Weekend is on the Radio 1 website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/events/hackneyweekend2012/

There will be a BBC.....
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Free Music Instrument lessons for the Public!
Saturday March 31st, 2012

Music for All, the charity of the UK musical instrument industry is proud to announce the first, annual, National Learn to Play Day taking place on March 31st, 2012.

On this day, the UK’s musical instrument shops will open their doors and offer free instrument “taster” lessons to the general public. There are 15 million people in the UK that either.....
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After the success of the inaugural Roundhouse Rising festival earlier this year, the Roundhouse is pleased to announce the line up for Roundhouse Rising 2012, with support from STA Travel.

With its focus centered squarely on new music, previous years have seen Jamie Woon, Wretch 32, Stornaway, DELS and RoxXxan all take to the stage. Beaty Heart, CLOUT!, The History of Apple Pie, Mz Bratt plus a whole host of other.....
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