Sounding Edge’s first ever singing conference will hit right note

Edge Hill University is taking a lead in finding sustainable solutions to primary music education with the launch of its first ever conference on singing.

Thinking about Singing - Developing Reflective Practice in Music Education takes placeon Wednesday 23^rd June and is a brand new venture to complement the work of Sounding Edge, a web-based project run by the University to support music education.

On the day, the focus will be on singing, and, in particular, to investigate some of the really tricky questions about developing singing in schools. It will look at singing with boys, singing across the curriculum, developing children's creativity through singing, and singing and vocal health.

The aim behind the conference is to share new ideas and allow teachers to reflect on their own rehearsal practices and analyse how they can be improved.

Keynote speakers on the day will include Myles Wallace Clarke, Headteacher at Hotspur Primary, Newcastle, who will talk about their experience of the national Sing Up programme, which ‘helps kids to find their voice'. Donald Gilthorpe, music teacher at Downdales School, Dalton in Furnace, will explore music as an aid to transition, particularly with reference to boys, as they move from primary to secondary school. David Ashworth, music consultant, will talk about a new teaching music website initiative and Ian Shirley, Senior Lecturer in Primary Music Education at Edge Hill University will look at reflective practices in music education.

Aimed at primary music specialists and enthusiastic classroom teachers, the event will also offer a series of workshops and a masterclass in which a group of young singers will be taken through their paces by an experienced singing leader, Imelda Shirley. Delegates to the conference will be invited to sing alongside these young singers, as part of a fitting musical finale to the day.

Ian said: "We believe that singing, music making, personal well-being and achievement are uniquely connected. We believe that every child should have an equal opportunity to develop through making music in all kinds of ways. As a team we have been developing music education and while we already have the excellent Sounding Edge website, we want the conference to build on this successful resource, cement relations with partners and build links with newcomers. Our intention is that this will be a thoroughly enjoyable musical and reflective experience and we hope that people who attend the conference will consider their own practices and think about alternatives to improve the good work they are already doing."

It is a critical time for music education as the national Sing Up programme is coming to an end and Michael Gove is making announcements about the future of the primary curriculum. 

The conference shows that Edge Hill University is leading the way in seeking to find innovative, sustainable solutions to primary music education to ensure that every child gets the chance to sing because it can improve learning, confidence, health and social development.

The conference takes place at the Ormskirk Campus in the Faculty of Education between 9.30am and 3.45pm and is free of charge (including lunch). To reserve a place, please contact Ian Shirley at ian.shirley@edgehill.ac.uk or telephone 01695 650998.

Current educational policy is concerned with raising teaching to a master's level profession. As such, Edge Hill will also be outlining its new PG Cert in Music Education. This programme is designed to support teachers in gaining masters level credits, through practical work and reflection, related to school based music activities. In most cases, this will allow teachers to build on existing music practice. Working with partners, The Voices Foundation and Sing Up, Edge Hill is able to offer the PG Cert Music Education free of charge. University staff will be available on the day to provide further information to interested delegates.