Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 113, Patrick catches up with ‘That Music Improv Teacher’, Mike Wright, to find out about Mike’s on-going work to promote improvisation as a standard part of music teaching (01:01). Professor Derek Aviss OBE discusses the psychology of performance, including overriding the brain’s natural reaction to the fear and stress of performance, with details of a forthcoming webin...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 112, Patrick meets singer, teacher, and vocal health expert, Dr Jenevora Williams , to discuss ways to recognise, manage, and prevent any issues with students’ – or teachers’ – vocal health (0:34). Plus, conductor Nic Chalmers introduces ways of engaging young people with opera, including some of his work with the Royal Opera House, and chats about his marathon Christma...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 111, Patrick chats to Alex Aitken about GCSE and A Level composition and set works, including ways to teach them, their place within a course, and the barriers faced by teachers and students (00:53). Editor of Music Teacher magazine, Phil Croydon introduces the forthcoming Music & Drama Education Expo and Awards, to be held in January 2025 (17:19). And singer, song-...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 110, Patrick chats to Aileen Douthwaite from the Music Publishers’ Association, about the Every Copy Counts campaign, highlighting the legality of photocopying music in copyright, and logging it to help publishers, authors and composers (00:45). Alex Parsons and Liz Dunbar offer some Composition Hacks for students struggling to get going with a new piece, in extracts fr...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 109, Patrick chats to BBC Radio 3 presenter Linton Stephens about the BBC’s new Ten Pieces , each of which has been written by a female composer (0:55). Alex Parsons introduces a new series of webinars from the MTA, providing crucial CPD for teachers (09:06). And Si Tew from Digit Learning explains the range of products they offer, including their joystick-driven instru...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 108, Patrick chats to Michelle Robinson from Loughborough University about the special relationship between student and teacher in instrumental and vocal lessons, also looking at ways to develop it (0:54). And Gary Spruce discusses the complexities of instrumental music teaching, as featured in his new book 'Instrumental Music Teaching: Perspectives and Challenges&...

Send us Fan Mail In episode 107, Patrick meets the Winner of Visiting Music Teacher 2024 (Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards 2024) Helen Minshall, to chat about her work, teaching brass instruments across Lancashire (1:08). Plus, Dr Anthony Anderson discusses curriculum design, looking at differences in how curricula are perceived by music teachers and SLTs (16:46). Presented and produced...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 106, Patrick chats to recorder player Ali Walker about Sing Up's new complete scheme of learning for KS1 and KS2 recorder, 'Play Recorder' (0:52). And Dr George Waddell , from the Royal College of Music, discusses assessment in music, focusing on performance science, preparation for a performance assessment, and external factors that can affect assessors&...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 105, Patrick finds out all about the new AI-driven assessment app, Assessify, created by Rob Reich-Storer from Rhythmstix (0:54). Rachel Topham from Faber Music chats about the new Faber Music Teachers’ Community , designed to help bring instrumental/vocal teachers and the publisher closer together (12:20). And Maddy Barnes and Peter Tamblyn talk about the great educati...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 104, Patrick chats to Music Education Consultant (and former National Lead for Music for Ofsted), Mark Phillips , about the start of Year 7, including the value (or lack of value) of baseline tests, questionnaires, and tests of aural perception, such as the Bentley Test. Plus, MTA President Catherine Barker reflects on the 2023–24 academic year, and looks to the future...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 103, Patrick chats to Jane Mitchell about the Aurora Orchestra ’s latest resource, Discover Beethoven , which uses the Sixth Symphony as a way into orchestral music for young musicians. Hattie Fisk , co-chair of the Music and Drama Education Awards judging panel, gives an overview of the 2025 Awards, and encourages everyone to get voting. And Dr Bushra El-Turk and Dr Jo...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 102, Patrick chats to Professor Martin Fautley about music education over the last 40+ years. What was it like in the late 1970s? What have been the most significant changes? Which trends might make a comeback? What are the challenges linking Key Stages? And what are the biggest challenges in music education in 2024? Martin concludes with a series of powerful messages t...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 101, Patrick finds out all about Liz Dunbar ’s incredible new online subscription resource, Music Department Resources, packed with complete schemes of work, cover lessons, and much, much more (01:13). Nate Holder introduces the 2024 Why Music Festival, to be held on 25th and 27th June 2024 (19:43). And jazz pianist, teacher and university lecturer Sam Leak discusses pe...

Send us Fan Mail MTA 2024 CONFERENCE SPECIAL In Episode 100, Patrick reports from the 2024 MTA Conference , held in Queen Anne’s School, Caversham. Composer Errollyn Wallen OBE discusses her approach to composition, in a Fireside chat with Patrick, recorded live at the conference (33:53), and former MTA President Simon Toyne reflects on what has changed in Music Education since his first interview...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 99, Patrick chats to Mark Llewelyn Evans , from the ABC of Opera, about their work bringing Opera into Primary education, with books and workshops (0:56); Pauline Black gives a preview of her and Simon Purcell’s MTA Conference session, The Jazz Mindset, looking bringing Groove into the classroom (14:21); And Nate Holder discusses his new book, If I Were a Racist, expand...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 98, Patrick chats to the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes MP , about their recent report, Misogyny in Music, looking at ways that misogyny can appear amongst school-age musicians, and its wider implications. Oli Rose, Director of Global Development for the Lang Lang Foundation, introduces their Keys of Inspiration scheme, providing whole suite...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 97, Patrick meets Mike Simpson from Inspire Works , to talk about their Drumbeatable programme, using group drumming to help young people overcome mental health challenges, and how the power of group music has been scientifically proven to help. Trumpeter Kay Charlton chats about improvisation in lessons, whole class instrumental tuition, and her excellent new resource,...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 96, Patrick chats to composer David A Stowell about recent his Music & Drama Expo talk, ‘Music Composition: Tips and Tricks for those Extra Marks’, discussing the process of composition in schools. Abi Marrison (Music Mark) and Colin Stuart (ISM) talk about Can Do Music, a joint campaign with the ISM, Music Mark and the MTA, with its huge numbers of resources. And D...

Send us Fan Mail ** 2024 MUSIC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL** Patrick reports from the 2024 Music & Drama Expo, chatting to  exhibitors Take It Away , and Darbar Academy.   Plus, interviews with two of the Expo's presenters: Deirdre Waller-Box from Brass Bands England, talking about her seminar 'Performance ready in one session' Tim Bennett-Hart , CEO of RSL Awards, discussing &apos...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 94, Patrick meets Liz Stafford , to chat about some of the big issues in Music Education today, and the forthcoming Music Education Solutions Conference. Gill Davies announces the MTA’s own Annual Conference to be held in May, including details of the trade fair, CPD, Key Note speakers, and how to get tickets. And Lesley Tyler previews her Music and Drama Education Expo...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 93, Patrick meets Sarah McWatt from Amp (formerly NYMAZ ), and Vic Holmes from Note Weavers , to discuss the work they do for primary music in the North of England, and find out about their forthcoming Early Years Music Conference, focussing on inclusivity. And Vanessa Wilson-Best explores “exclusivity at GCSE”, focussing on technology as the great leveller. Presented a...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 92, Patrick chats to Francesca Christmas and Toby Davies from Trinity College London about their Awards and Certificates in Musical Development, Digital Theory Exams, AI, and more; David Gray talks about his primary curriculum, his online resources, training for primary music specialists, and makes the case for ukuleles; And Dr Robin Harrison , director of Maestro Onlin...

Send us Fan Mail In the first episode of 2024, Patrick chats to Janet Fischer about the excellent work done by Live Music Now , bringing music to those without previous access. Dr Anna Mariguddi discusses her recent research into informal music learning in primary schools. And Keith Sykes from Lewisham Music chats about their award-winning project connecting music and young people’s mental health,...

Send us Fan Mail In the last episode of 2023, Patrick meets Zac Moxon , Winner of the 2023 Outstanding New Teacher of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards. They chat about his department at Chiswick School, the curriculum, and the secret to putting on over 50 concerts per year! Plus, organist, composer and Director of Music at Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald , discusses Chri...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 89, Patrick chats to Dr Kirsty Devaney about her research into barriers faced by female composers, including young people’s perception of what it means to be a composer. And Mr Primary Music Education himself Jimmy Rotheram discusses all things primary, with guidance for non-specialist teachers, including dos and don’ts. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns. https://...