This year I have been involved in the Tiverton Brass Project, a collaboration between The Tiverton Learning Community, myself and Keith Price, of HornBlowers. From February I have extended my East Devon range of wider opportunities (whole class) brass instrumental teaching to include five of the Tiverton LC schools, and I look forward to seeing these, as well as some of the others perform both at the Devon Mix Festival (23rd June, Westpoint Arena, Exeter) and at The Tiverton Jazz Ambassadors event (29th June, Two Moors School).  I look forward to the posibility of returning to Sidmouth LC next year, and to starting to implement the course across the Exeter Central LC from September as well. To find out more about this, as well as help me by discussing next steps ensembles and carryon into KS3, visit the website, here.

I am very pleased to be running the junk music marquee this year at Devon's famous 'Mix Festival'. The event involves over six thousand children and young people, from all across the count, and with 90 places per 50 minute workshop, I look forward to working with approx 500-600 children that day! Good luck to the schools I currently work in who are performing brass as well, from the Exmouth, Exeter Central and Tiverton Learning Communities! You can make links to collaborate with any of the participatory schools, from my website.

I am very pleased to add mini-pans to the range of wider opportunities and workshop instruments which I offer. Mini-pans are an excellent choice for whole class instrumental teaching, as across KS1-2 they allow a class to fully explore the structures and textures of musical pieces, whilst also learning to play collaboratively, as soloists and to play melody, accompaniment, chords and rhythm on one easy to store instrument. I am delighted that so many of the schools I have re-booked for next academic year are considering mini-pans for their wider opps provision. Thanks to an excellent accompanying pack from DMS, the DCC mini-pans sets are very accessible, now you just need to book them...

Read the scheme description and details on the Mini-pans page.

I am now taking school bookings for Autumn term 2010. For a complete listing of all services, workshops and courses, 'Wider Opportunities' based or otherwise please visit the MUSIC SERVICES section of the site. Remember I am fully CRB checked, and able to work with KS 1-3. Should you have in mind a project that is not detailed among those listed, please make contact to discuss your needs.

I will be running the Junk music workshops at the Devon Schools Mix this year. To book places for the mix, use the online booking form, or find out more details, here.

Junk Instrument Workshop (Introductory) - 'Junk music allows players to engage in music making at any level, with vibrant and powerful percussive sounds, made with 100% recycled materials. Play, scrape, strike and shake it, to the creative, team-building and motivating funky beats of our barrels, tins, coat racks, gas tubes, shopping trolleys and a host of other original instruments.'
90 workshop participants

Workshops available are:

Zone - Junk Music

I am involved in delivering whole class music, 'Wider Opportunities' and otherwise, in many schools across East-Devon. You can view an up-to-date summary here.

Challenge yourself at musiclearninglive!2010

musiclearninglive!2010 is not your normal education conference.

* It's dynamic and innovative, with a huge range of hands-on workshops, presentations, debates, performances, case-studies and demonstrations.
* You'll find out what's really going on in the sector from leading policy and strategic experts.
* And there are plenty of opportunities to network with old friends - and meet new ones.

If you haven't already booked your place at the must-attend music education event of 2010, take a look at the latest programme now.

* Registration is open!

"Some fantastic sessions delivered in a very organised manner offering many practical ideas and activities to take back to school and use which will have an immediate impact on the children’s learning and enjoyment."

- musiclearninglive!2009 delegate

Much of the music work I do is based around the 'Wider Opportunities' initiative, but what is it, and how can you get some?

Trinity Guild Hall have what I think is the best explanation of this:

To read their full break down of what, who and how, follow the link here, or click ontheir logo.