First Sounding Edge conference takes place

It was with great pleasure thatIan Shirley, Senior Lecturer in Music Education, welcomed attendees and guest speakers to Edge Hill University for the first ‘Sounding Edge' conference Thinking about Singing - Developing Reflective Practice in Music Education.

This was the first in a planned series of dedicated conferences arranged by the Faculty of Education to complement their ongoing ‘Sounding Edge' web-based project, which aims to establish a network of music education specialists over the next few years.

Created for primary school professionals and enthusiastic classroom teachers, Sounding Edge's over-riding objective is to demonstrate that singing, music making, achievement and personal wellbeing are uniquely connected and that every child should have an equal opportunity to develop through making music in all kinds of ways.

This enjoyable and reflective event focused on singing whilst also investigating the development of singing in schools, singing for boys, singing across the curriculum, vocal health and developing children's creativity through singing.

In addition to a masterclass delegates were able to take part in a number of workshops led by the conference's valued guest speakers. These included Professor Martin Ashley, Head of Research at Edge Hill's Faculty of Education, David Ashworth, Music Consultant, Miles Wallis-Clarke, Head Teacher at Hotspur Primary in Newcastle and Imelda Shirley, experienced teacher, choral conductor and conductor trainer.

Also taking part were a group of young singers from Downdales School in Dalton in Furness who were taken through their paces by Imelda.  This allowed visiting teachers to consider firsthand the rehearsal practices discussed whilst also providing everyone with an opportunity to join in with the event's fitting musical finale.

If you would like to find out more about Sounding Edge telephone 01695 650998 or visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/soundingedge