A few weeks ago, the Guardian reported on the results of a new study conducted by Youth Music and Birmingham City University, to look at the impact of a possible overhaul in the curriculum for music education in the UK. One of the key findings was that including current genres,
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. And I want to begin with a question. How would you define ‘education’? Think about it for a moment, and jot down some stuff. Done that? Good. Next question. What would you therefore define as ‘educational’? I’m thinking activities, projects, participatory things, events
OK, I’ll be honest. Sometimes I sit here on a Sunday morning, wondering what on earth I’m going to write about, and end up with something fairly speedily prepared and whimsical; and other times, I have a thought in my head from the middle of the week, which gradually bobs
I’ve been having tremendous fun this term teaching a course on the history of music criticism at City Lit. We’ve only had four sessions so far, but we’ve already covered some pretty major points for discussion including what should/shouldn’t fall within a reviewer’s domain; whether ad hominem arguments are allowed
A few months ago, and quite by accident, I discovered the existence of the Angry Chef. Anthony Warner, who has recently published a book in addition to his excellent blog, is a brilliantly funny, eloquent and – when it’s called for – furious critic of fad diets, pseudoscience and the
It’s halfway through January, the sky is grey and decidedly damp, and after a wonderful week on holiday, I’m now back at work. And rather enjoying being in the thick of it, I must say. But there was one thing about my holiday that I feel I must share with
In the summer of 1998, at around this time, my Dad and I drove to my school with our brand new puppy (who promptly tried chewing the deputy head when she tried to pet him) to collect my GCSE results. I was completely high on adrenalin by the time we
Dear Santa, It’s been a while – hope the reindeer are holding up after all this year’s adverts suggesting you’re travelling by minicab. I’m sure the folks at FIFA have been bothering you about it, too [ed.: Festive Institute of Flying Animals]. Still, at least the whole NSA scandal seems
In 2005, when I was finishing my Masters at Nottingham University, I had a job one afternoon a week at a primary school. The school’s excellent music teacher was not a pianist, so I was recruited to sit in the hall at the tinny but serviceable upright, and accompany each
We interrupt normal weekly service with a special update. I’ve received word that due to cuts, Liverpool Council is axing its Saturday Morning Music School. So I need your help. Liverpool has an excellent reputation for music and the arts, and its music hub, Resonate Music, has done great work
