And I say Thank you for the Music.....

I enjoyed this lecture so much! Suzanne was so enthusiastic and made it feel so normal to be singing in front of people at 9am in the morning!

I was quite chuffed with myself at challenging her question of 'what does musical' look like? I said - well what IS musical? It's anything from children singing nursery rhymes, banging on saucepans, singing to the radio, or being Grade 8 in an instrument.

Primary music seems mainly about being enthusiastic and having the courage to have a go and learn along the way.

We looked at why music is important at school and there were lots of ideas:

1. it's fun!

2. it is communication

3. it is inclusive

4. it strengthens the brain

5. it can help with the environment in the room and therefore behaviour management

6. it raises self esteem

7. it is hugely important in our culture

8. it makes LOADS of money

So if it's so awesome, why do schools devote sod all time to it?!?!? I imagine it can be very frustrating to be a music lead in a school.

Looking at number 7 - it's important to have people OTHER than dead white men.

A scheme in Venezuela (In harmony) is helping children get out of poverty by teaching them music and having them playing in orchestras, so they are using music at an 'agent of social development'. A school in Bradford has increased the time they spend on music to 6 hours a week and have found that it has increased the children's maths attainments!

We looked at warm up exercises which were really fun and engaging, without making you feel silly. Perfect for classrooms!

We also did a soundscape for the Gruffalo and that was SO effective! Definitely something to be used in class!

I came away buzzing!