Early Years Music CPD: Connecting and communicating through musical play

Sophie Fox from Magic Acorns joins our Strategic Lead for Early Years Music, Charlotte Gibbs, for this online CPD session for anyone working with 0-5 years olds. This online session will take place from 2-4pm on Friday 24 January 2025 delivered via MS Teams.

This online session will explore ways we can create sensitive conditions for connection and interaction with babies and very young children. We will consider ways we can facilitate creativity, enable positive relationships through attuned adult-interaction and celebrate expression through musical play. We will look at some videos together to reflect on what we might see and to relate it to our own practice with very young children.

Through sharing a range of different strategies from a variety of sources we will discuss possible approaches to creating musical play environments that fosters connection and communication. Facilitated by Magic Acorns’ Director Sophie Fox, Sophie is an early years arts, music and play specialist, performer and producer. She loves to crawl around on the floor with babies and hang out with very young children

To reserve your place, please complete the following booking form. Please note that while this opportunity is being offered on a fully subsidised basis, we reserve the right to apply an administrative charge of £50 if you fail to attend having booked a place. If you book a place but are no longer able to make it, you must let us know in advance of the session.

Early Years Music CPD: Musical Storytelling

Rachel Thame from Hub partner organisation Moor to Sea Music Collective joins our Strategic Lead for Early Years Music, Charlotte Gibbs, for this online CPD session for anyone working with 0-5 years olds. Rachel’s session titled ‘Musical Storytelling’ will explore playful approaches to encourage children’s own songs and musical stories.

To reserve your place for any of these sessions, please complete the following booking form. Please note that while this opportunity is being offered on a fully subsidised basis, we reserve the right to apply an administrative charge of £50 if you fail to attend having booked a place. If you book a place but are no longer able to make it, you must let us know in advance of the session.

Firebird Creative Composition Music Workshop

The workshop will explore and devise new music to retell the magical story of The Firebird.

Guided by Kip and Pat, participants will create a sound world that tells the legendary tale of good and evil with its cast of Prince Ivan, the evil sorcerer Kashchei and the magical glowing Firebird.

This will be a great opportunity for young people to discover the creative process of building live music, taking ownership of the collaborative experience and sharing their work with the local community, with a performance of the newly devised work at 12.15pm.

The workshop is aimed at ages 8-16 years who attend without parent/guardians
Participants are welcome to bring their own instruments, but this is not a requirement as there will be a selection of instruments provided.
Please bring your own drink / snack

This workshop forms part of a weekend of concerts, talks, masterclasses and workshops exploring the world of classical music at the beginning of the 20th century, and is curated by Torbay Symphony Orchestra.

Torbay Symphony Orchestra – Fire, Myth and Magic concerts and talk
6.30pm Pre-concert Talk with the orchestra on Lili Boulanger’s ‘D’un matin de Printemps’ – book tickets for the talk here
7.30pm Saturday 30 November – Fire, Myth and Magic evening concert.
2.30pm Sunday 1 December – Fire, Myth and Magic afternoon concert (families are especially welcome) Book tickets for the concerts here
Puppetcraft Workshop:
On Saturday there is a shadow puppet workshop for families with master puppeteer John Roberts (Puppetcraft). Find out more and book here
Dance and Choreography Workshop:
For 14 – 21 year olds with Kay Crook, Artistic Director of the Chhaya Collective. Find out more and book here
Piano Masterclass:
On Sunday morning there is a piano masterclass with renowned piano teacher Kate Miller. Book Observer Tickets here

 

Kip Pratt

Kip Pratt MA, PGCE has been working in music for over 35 years as a teacher, violinist, music leader and lecturer. He spent 10 years teaching music education at Plymouth University, from where he has a Masters Degree in education. He has worked for Teignmouth Learning Community as a music leader and as an Associate with Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub, for whom he is currently leading the Let’s Play Singing Games project for young children. Kip also works with Elfyn Jones and Patrick Saturley on two ongoing music education projects, 7 Days Of Music and Sonorities. Kip has been instrumental in organising five MIX music festivals for Devon school children and eight Children’s Music Festivals in Teignmouth.

In 2019 he wrote and directed the music for The Sea Cycle in partnership with Elfyn Jones, a musical extravaganza for 6 schools, based on seafaring stories of Teignmouth. He also works with Sonopera devising large scale singing projects for school federations. He teaches whole-class instrument work in schools, and offers story telling workshops with creative composition. Kip is a ceilidh dance caller with The Blue Jewel Ceilidh Band, and a member of the Lyric Chamber Orchestra.

Patrick Saturley

Patrick Saturley BA (Hons), PGCE grew up skateboarding around Torquay before studying Music at Dartington College of Arts. His career as a musician and teacher began in Europe, teaching in Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, and Northern France. Having returned to Devon in the late 1990s, his focus since then has been Music Education at Secondary School level. For 24 years he was Director of Music and later Head of Performing Arts at Teignmouth Community School (TCS), where he built a successful, community-led, Music and Performing Arts Department.

Patrick led the team in numerous community projects, concerts, musicals, and international tours, and took responsibility for the continued progress of the GCSE, Vocational and A-Level courses. Alongside his work at TCS, from 2014 – 2023 he was Lecturer and Subject Lead for the PGCE Secondary Music at Plymouth University, training, nurturing and assessing music teachers of the future. Currently Patrick is Music Specialist for South West Teacher Trainer (SWTT) and the External Examiner for the Secondary Music PGCE at Bath Spa University. Having stepped away from the classroom in the Summer 2022, Patrick continues to spearhead engagement with Music in the South West through his work with Sonopera and as a freelancer; most recently with the Community and Identity Project with the Ivy Academy Trust. He continues to teach and play the classical guitar, as well as arranging music for the guitar and ensemble.

Calling all Brass players – Come and Play Carols with DYCB / DCYBB

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be collaborating with Devon Youth Chamber Brass and Devon County Youth Brass Band to offer young brass players in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay this exciting opportunity to play Christmas music side by side this December!
Join us from 2-4pm on Sunday 8th December 2024 at Greendale, Sidmouth Rd, Farringdon, Exeter EX5 2JU to play festive classics and your favourite carols. This event is open to under 18 year olds that play a brass instrument to a Grade 3 level of ability or higher and is being offered free of charge.This is an outdoor event, so warm clothes will be needed! Please bring your instrument, your family and friends and your enthusiasm – all music and stands will be provided.

Devon Youth Chamber Brass, run by Sam Massey, is a County Group for young Devon brass and percussion players Grade 4 standard and above, specialising in Chamber brass music – we perform all styles of music, from the Georgian Courts to scrumpy and western and everything in between! Recent highlights have included performances at the Royal Albert Hall with Music for Youth and joint concerts with Wells Cathedral School Brass department and Lympstone Band.

Devon County Youth Brass Band, formed in 2004 by Peter Jones, is now directed by local brass band musicians Chris Spreadbury and Matt Hawkins (who both also run the highly successful Lympstone Band), along with support from local peripatetic tutors. Following a highly successful open day with the world-famous Flowers Band, the band meets on six Sundays during the school year in Exeter. We play music from all genres, improving our skills, and make new friends whilst doing it. If you are a brass player Grade 4 standard and above, and are looking to join a high-level youth ensemble, come join us for some great rehearsals and get ready to take your brass playing to the next level!Both groups are particularly looking for more lower brass players and percussionists, so if you play Baritone, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Euphonium or Tuba, we’d be particularly delighted to hear from you!

Devon Music Education Hub would like to acknowledge the generous support of Greendale in hosting this event.

If you have a query, please call Devon Music Education Hub on 01392 287235 or email musiceducationhub@devon.gov.uk Visit our website https://www.musiceducationhub.org
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @DevonMusicEdHub

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Let’s Play Outside Project CPD

Join Elfyn Jones and Kip Pratt for this practical and informative CPD session for anyone involved in leading music in primary schools, including classroom teachers, teaching assistants and Visiting Music Teachers.

As part of the session, Kip and Elfyn will share fun songs, games and activities from Sonopera CIC’s ongoing project in East Devon. Let’s Play Outside demonstrates how informal musical learning through play and song can be incorporated in the classroom, playground, forest school and other outdoor learning environments, particularly with younger children.

This in-person session will take place from 4-5pm on Thursday 21 November 2024 at Whimple Primary School, School Hill, Whimple EX5 2TS.

Battle of the Bands 2025

Devon Music Education Hub are delighted to be working with R&K Systems and Music In Devon Initiative (MIDI) to present the Devon Secondary Schools Battle of the Bands 2025.

Bands and aspiring artists from secondary schools/settings across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay can apply to join us at one of our regional heats, where they will get feedback on their performance from music industry professionals – our regional heats will take place at the following dates and locations:

  • Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Petroc College, Barnstaple
  • Thursday 6 February 2025 | King Edward VI Community College, Totnes
  • Tuesday 11 February 2025 | Uffculme School, Cullompton
  • Thursday 13 February 2025 | Plympton Academy, Plymouth

A selection of bands will be invited to the Battle of the Bands Final at Exeter Phoenix on 25 February 2025, and could win the chance to professionally record their music and perform at high profile festivals.

Devon Music Education Hub would like acknowledge the generous support of our host schools for supporting these events.

Early Years Music CPD: Songs for Musical Learning

Responding to the Department for Education’s National Plan for Music Education, Devon Music Education Hub are offering a range of support for EYFS settings and early childhood practitioners…
  • FREE loans of specialist early years musical instruments and equipment available to schools and settings.
  • FREE video resources to equip early childhood practitioners to support musical play.
  • FREE in-person and online CPD sessions, as well as workforce development opportunities for Early Years Music specialists.

This term our CPD offer is themed around the topic ‘Songs for Musical Learning’ with practical, in-person sessions being offered on the following dates and locations:

  • 2.30-4.30pm Monday 4 November | Barnstaple Library EX31 1EL
  • 2.30-4.30pm Friday 8 November | Plymouth Music Zone PL1 4NQ
  • 2.30-4.30pm Friday 15 November | Cullompton Community Centre EX15 1JX

To reserve your place for any of these sessions, please complete the following booking form. Please note that while this opportunity is being offered on a fully subsidised basis, we reserve the right to apply an administrative charge of £50 if you fail to attend having booked a place. If you book a place but are no longer able to make it, you must let us know in advance of the session.

Hub Sounds NOW FULLY BOOKED

A series of events (one taking place each term of the 2024/25 school year) to enjoy live music in a range of styles, fun music activities and sing with leading performers and music educators.

We are thrilled to announce the dates for the Autumn Term Hub Sounds! NOW FULLY BOOKED

Taking place at Tiverton High School on Tuesday 3rd December, you can choose to attend either the morning session starting at 10.30am or afternoon session starting at 1pm.

Both the morning and afternoon sessions will involve performances from professional artists, interactive music activities with Hub partners organisations, live music from young musicians and a Big Sing!

Simon Mathewson

As a volunteer teaching assistant I ran a guitar club at Dorchester Middle School in 2011.

I did a rock band club at St Marys Primary School, Bridport in 2019.

In the past I’ve worked as a teaching assistant.

I am currently teaching at Primary schools in Bridport and Axminster as well as teaching privately.

I taught both my children who have gone on to perform at Colfox School in concerts and musicals.

I’ve been playing for 30 years and can play most genres. I’ve played in various bands. I had piano lessons when I was younger so know music theory.

I have been DBS checked.

John Mathews

Since 2016, I’ve been privileged to share my passion and enthusiasm for music, teaching hundreds of students across a very wide range of age and ability (4 – 70+) and in a number of settings.

Prior to undertaking PGCE studies, freelance peripatetic music tutor, offering guitar, beginner piano and beginner ukulele lessons to primary schools in Devon and Somerset. Each week I guided 70+ students through the excitement of discovering music, building and/or developing upon the rudimentary foundations of musical practice, inspiring and preparing them for a long, fulfilling relationship with music.

My lessons are highly personalised to fit the abilities and temperament of each student (or group of students) and I’m happy to log and communicate their progress as is deemed appropriate. In encouraging musical problem-solving, I draw upon developing knowledge of music, as well as other areas of the curriculum such as mathematics and language.

During my previous engagement as ‘Session Manager’ at five private music schools for The Rock Project in Devon, I was entrusted with guiding, inspiring and safeguarding over 120 students per week, managing a team of five tutors, preparing sessions and leading groups of 20-30 young musicians in musical activities such as guided rehearsals, as well as providing instrumental tuition to smaller groups.

From 2016 – 2019 I enjoyed fulfilling the same functions for The Rock Project in Surrey, leading sessions for adults in addition to those for children. During both tenures, I supported and presented regular public performances, preparing and encouraging the students through coached rehearsals, enthusiastically developing musicianship and stagecraft.

A scarcity of resources delayed the start of my own musical journey proper, but in so doing, created the opportunity to spark a love-story that continues to this day. With little chance of buying my first instrument, I built a bass guitar for a GCSE Technology project and taught myself to play it from a book. Although my ‘homemade’ bass has long since been retired (full disclosure: it was a terrible instrument), the passion it fuelled will remain with me for life.

Seizing upon a single, fleeting opportunity ultimately led me to a BMus and out into the world on an enthralling adventure to far-flung countries, revered stages and studios, sharing countless thrilling musical experiences with many wonderful musicians, connecting with a combined audience of several lifetimes of humans. My bass gave me a creative voice, opportunities to contribute to numerous recordings and original compositions and a vehicle through which to forge lifelong friendships. I am deeply committed to opening the door to ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’ for others.