Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast
Teaching Notes is the Music Teachers' Association podcast covering music education in the UK and beyond. It features interviews with music teachers alongside conversations with industry professionals and education experts. Episodes include CPD discussions and reports from conferences and expos. The show is presented and produced by Patrick Johns.
Episodes
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.142 - Chris Ricketts, Nadia Bunker, Abi Marrison & Katie May (Music Mark)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 142, Patrick chats to Dr Christopher Ricketts about reimagining ability in Music Education, and the perceived dominance of the Western Classical Tradition in the classroom (0:50). Director of Music Nadia Bunker shares her Year 6–8 Schemes of Work, and reflects on what’s worked well, and less well (23:13). And Abi Marrison and Katie May from Music Mark introduce their new
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.141 - Michael Wright, Liz Stafford, Zac Moxon
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 141, Patrick chats to Michael Wright about approaches to teaching improvisation in the classroom and with ensembles (0:33).Dr Liz Stafford introduces the forthcoming Curriculum Music Conference from Music Education Solutions, and chats about unrealistic expectations in Primary Music Education (23:37). And award-wining music teacher Zac Moxon explains how he has doubled h
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.140 - Vanessa Wilson-Best, Katie Sollars, Chelsey Bamford, Rob Reich-Storer
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 140, Patrick kicks off the new academic year with a look at A Level Music, with guest, Vanessa Wilson-Best. As numbers decline for A Level Music, Vanessa and Patrick discuss whether the qualification is fit for purpose in its current form.The MTA’s new season of online CPD is here, and Patrick plays a short extract from music teachers Katie Sollars and Chelsey Bamford fr
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.139 - Mark Llewelyn Evans, Laura Bendy, Jonathan Mayes, Mark Keith
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 139, Patrick discovers The Rapturous Romantics in the third book of The ABC of Opera, written by Mark Llewelyn Evans. Mark explains about the power of children discovering their ABC (Any Body Can) through opera.The MTA’s own Laura Bendy encourages listeners to respond to the Call for Content, to hear from as wide a range of voices as possible.And the CEO of the Cathedral
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.138 - David Gray, Geoff Pearce, Karen Marshall
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 138, Patrick chats to David Gray (aka ‘Music with Mr Gray’) about The Big Strum, a new ukulele event to be held in July in Devon, in association with Octopus Ukuleles and Devon Music Hub (0:57).Geoff Pearce introduces Music Scholars, a new online resource with hundreds of lessons for KS3–KS5, plus composition tools, marksheets, and much more (9:54).And award-winning auth
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.137 - Tessa Armstrong (Voices for Life), James Manwaring, Natalie Wild & Christopher Tarrant
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 137, Patrick meets Tessa Armstrong, founder and director of Voices for Life, who provide free singing workshops and concerts for primary children, with a focus on well-being.MTA President James Manwaring updates listeners about A Choir in Every School, including the latest newsletter.And Natalie Wild and Christopher Tarrant chat about their latest book, The Composer’s To
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.136 - MTA CONFERENCE incl. Sir John Rutter, Liz Dunbar, Simon Toyne
Send us Fan Mail2026 MTA CONFERENCE SPECIAL In Episode 136, Patrick visits the 2026 MTA Conference, held at Warwick Schools Foundation, in Leamington Spa. He chats to Sir John Rutter about John’s own musical education, the power of singing, the compositional process, and what happens to the fragments of his music that don’t get published (30:40).Liz Dunbar and Simon Toyne chat about their CPD sess
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.135 - MTA Conference preview - James McEvoy-Stevenson, Deirdre Waller-Box, James Stevenson
Send us Fan MailMTA CONFERENCE PREVIEW In Episode 135, Patrick looks ahead to the 2026 MTA Conference, and meets two of the speakers leading CPD sessions. James McEvoy-Stevenson gives an overview of his session, ‘GCSE Music: Planning for success’ (1:15), and music teacher and DJ James Stevenson makes the case for authentic dance music education, in his session ‘Don't call it EDM’ (29:18). Plu
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.134 - Dafydd Williams, Anna van Veldhuisen & Issy McMichael (Kodály)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 134, Patrick meets Dafydd Williams, the Music Lead at Rushmore Primary School in Hackney, winner of the Outstanding School Music Department award at the recent Music and Drama Education Awards, to find out about the music-making at the school (0:46).Plus, Anna van Veldhuisen and Issy McMichael tell Patrick all about their use of the Kodály Method in the classroom, across
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.133 - Tim Gray (Pitch Pals), Alex Aitken
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 133, Tim Gray tells Patrick all about the new app 'Pitch Pals', designed to allow young children to practise their aural skills in a fun, game-based way (0:59).And Alex Aitken discusses A Level Music, with all its challenges: the importance of research as part of the composing process, the value of pastiche, why being Grade 8 Distinction does not guarantee you
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.132 - Expo Special
Send us Fan Mail2026 MUSC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIALIn Episode 132, Patrick visits the 2026 Music & Drama Expo, to chat to leaders of CDP sessions, and chat to exhibitors about new Music Education products. Sebastian Murgul from Klang.io introduces their software, that uses AI to transcribe audio to stave notation (0:48);Composer, author and educator Paul Harris discusses the importance of Rhyth
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.131 - James Manwaring (A Choir in Every School), Prof Derek Aviss, Tamzyn Marchev
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 131, Patrick finds out more about the new campaign, ‘A Choir in Every School’, led by MTA president, James Manwaring (0:57).Professor Derek Aviss chats about his forthcoming webinar, ‘Transformational Teaching’, for instrumental and vocal teachers to come together to share those special moments in their practice (19:18).And CEO of youth music charity Kinetika Bloco, Tamz
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.130 - Mark Aitchison, Dr Carolyn Cooke, Dr Victoria Kinsella, Dr Elizabeth MacGregor, Dr Anthony Anderson
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 130, Patrick chats to Mark Aitchison about his PhD, which focuses on Key Stage 3 music, and Mark asks for teachers’ assistance with a Year 8 Research Project. Plus, music education academics Anthony Anderson, Carolyn Cooke, Victoria Kinsella and Elizabeth MacGregor introduce the new edition of the seminal book, ‘Learning to Teach Music in the Secondary School’, discussin
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.129 - Alan Cameron and Anu Omideyi
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 129, Patrick chats to music educator, technological innovator and coach, Alan Cameron, about his long career, including setting up the world's first ever live weekly instrumental music learning programme via video conference for school children in 2005, and now head of Cameron International Coaching.Plus, Director of the National Gospel Music Centre, Anu Omideyi dis
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.128 - James B Partridge, Amy Driscoll, ILĀ
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 128, Patrick meets James B Partridge to talk about his shows, Primary School Bangers and The Big Christmas Assembly, which revivify children’s hymns of the 70s and 80s. James and Patrick reflect on what makes these simple pieces so popular, and what they can still offer us. Publisher and Commercial Director of Music Teacher Magazine, Amy Driscoll, tells Patrick about the
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.127 - Jane Mitchell (Aurora Orchestra), Simon Toyne
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 127, Patrick chats to the Aurora Orchestra’s Creative Director, Jane Mitchell, about their free resources as part of Aurora Classroom, covering Key Stages 1–5. Plus, the launch of their Life-Changing Music Campaign, aiming to raise £500,000 across its 20th anniversary season, to support their work nationwide (01:09).Plus, Executive Director of Music at the David Ross Edu
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.126 - Mark Aitchison, Dan Ludford-Thomas
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 126, Patrick chats to Mark Aitchison about Year 8 Music, with potential pitfalls and suggestions, incorporating research from Mark’s recently published paper, ‘A study into musician identity in year 8 students in England’. Plus, The National Children’s Choir of Great Britain’s musical director, Dan Ludford-Thomas, discusses singing amongst young people, and the excellent
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.125 - Quentin Walston, Caroline Robinson, Dr Delphine Mordey
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 125, Patrick meets Jazz pianist, educator, author and Instagram sensation Quentin Walston, to discuss accessible ways into Jazz for non-specialist teachers, from his new book, ‘How to Teach Jazz and Improvisation’ (0:52).Head of Growth and Operations at the MTA, Caroline Robinson introduces many of the speakers for the 2026 MTA conference, as tickets go on sale (24:15).A
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.124 - Ed Watkins, Laura Bendy, Julian Whittaker, RuthAnne
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 124, Patrick chats to Ed Watkins about his recent article, shining a light on disproportionately low grades for otherwise high-achieving music students at A Level (1:02).Laura Bendy and Julian Whittaker introduce the new Members’ Area of the MTA website, and the first webinar of the academic year (13:38); And Grammy- and Brit-nominated singer-songwriter RuthAnne discusse
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.123 - Kirsty Devaney & Ed McKeon, Alys Wilding, Elliot Broadbent-Jones & David Kirtlan (Albion Computers)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 123, Patrick chats to Dr Kirsty Devaney and Dr Ed McKeon about the project Time Loops, run by the Science Museum Group, using old music technology in new and innovative ways, with Key Stage 3 resources to bring it into the classroom (0:57).Alys Wilding introduces a new ECT Secondary Music Network, being set up by Birmingham City University, to support ECTs nationwide (17
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.122 - Dr Elizabeth Stafford & Dan Francis, Ritula Shah, Buster Birch
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 122, Patrick meets Dr Elizabeth Stafford and Dan Francis, to talk about their new book, 'The Secondary Music Leader's Handbook' (0:48).Classic FM presenter Ritula Shah introduces the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards (deadline for entries is 20th July 2025!) (15:54).And Jazz musician, author and educator Buster Birch chats about methods of teachi
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.121 - Leanna O'Brien (Soaring Scarves Academy), James Manwaring, Catherine Barker
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 121, Patrick meets Leanna O’Brien, from the Soaring Scarves Academy in California, who teaches music using movement and scarves, to help students really internalise great works by Tchaikovsky and Grieg, amongst others (0:43)We also meet the new MTA President, James Manwaring, to find out about him as a musician and teacher, and to see what he hopes to achieve in his tenu
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.120 - MTA CONFERENCE incl. Dr Jim Frankel and Mark Armstrong
Send us Fan Mail2025 MTA CONFERENCE SPECIALIn Episode 120, Patrick visits the 2025 MTA Conference, held at Trinity Academy, Bristol. He meets ABRSM Chief Examiner and Jazz trumpeter Mark Armstrong, to find out more about Mark’s CPD session, ‘Jazz in the Classroom’ (04:31), and chats to Founder and President of MusicFirst, Dr Jim Frankel, about his Key Note speech, ‘The Impact of AI on Music Making
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.119 - Liz Dunbar, Asha Bishop, Alexander L'Estrange
Send us Fan Mail2025 MTA CONFERENCE PREVIEW In Episode 119, Patrick chats to Liz Dunbar and Asha Bishop about the crucial balancing of creativity and academic rigour at Key Stage 3 (1:08).And composer, arranger, singer, conductor and jazz musician Alexander L’Estrange discusses ways to get your choir to swing (15:46)!Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://musicdepartmentresources.comhttps
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.118 - Rilla Paterson, Julian Whittaker, Jack Laidlaw, James Tuck and Dustin Ragland (Ableton)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 118, Patrick chats to composer Rilla Paterson about her compositions for young voices, designed to help children with sight-reading; plus the importance of notation.Julian Whittaker introduces the MTA’s free ‘Mock Interview’ service, for members applying for a new job, to have a practice interview with an experienced Head of Music.Plus, Jack Laidlaw, James Tuck, and Dust
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.117 - Dr Jonathan Savage, Caroline Robinson
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 117, Patrick chats to Dr Jonathan Savage about significant changes in the world of Music Education, the relationship of Music Hubs with schools, and new BBC Bitesize resources.And the MTA’s Head of Growth and Operations, Caroline Robinson introduces the 2025 MTA conference, including the CPD sessions, the mentoring and training, the keynote speakers, and details of ticke
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.116 - Maria Thomas (Music Workshop Company), Martin Cullingford (Gramophone Magazine), Mark Aitchison (European Day of Music in Schools)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 116, Patrick is joined by Maria Thomas from The Music Workshop Company, to find out about their range of schools workshops, including historical music, and a very interesting workshop using cutlery!Editor of Gramophone Magazine, Martin Cullingford, tells Patrick all about the Survey ‘Growing Musicians, Shaping Lives’, aiming to find out about music teachers’ day-to-day l
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.115 - Expo Special - SymphoMe, Nikki Yeoh, Dr June Fileti, Rachel Hawker, Simon Beale
Send us Fan Mail~ 2025 MUSC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL ~In Episode 115, Patrick visits the 2025 Music & Drama Expo, to attend CDP sessions, and chat to exhibitors about new Music Education products. Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu introduces SymphoMe, which uses AI to help give students detailed feedback on their performances in between lessons. (1:08)Award-winning Jazz pianist, composer and educator Nik
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.114 - Dylan McCaig, Laura Bendy, Thomas Gregory
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 114, Patrick chats to Music Teacher Dylan McCaig about being a recent ECT, and about Early Music both within the curriculum, and as part of co-curricular activities.MTA Operations Manager Laura Bendy shares details of her new role at the MTA, as well as an important announcement.And looking towards the Music and Drama Education Expo, Patrick meets Thomas Gregory, to find
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.113 - Mike Wright, Prof Derek Aviss, Catherine Barker
Send us Fan MailIn 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 webinar
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.112 - Jenevora Williams, Nic Chalmers
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Christmas C
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.111 - Alex Aitken, Phil Croydon, Lissa Schneckenburger
Send us Fan MailIn 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-wri
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.110 - Aileen Douthwaite, Alex Parsons & Liz Dunbar, Edward Caswell
Send us Fan MailIn 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 from
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.109 - Linton Stephens, Alex Parsons, Si Tew (Digit Learning)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 instrument
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.108 - Michelle Robinson, Gary Spruce
Send us Fan MailIn 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&ap
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.107 - Helen Minshall, Dr Anthony Anderson
Send us Fan MailIn 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 by
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.106 - Ali Walker (Play Recorder), Dr George Waddell
Send us Fan MailIn 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&apo
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.105 - Rob Reich-Storer (Assessify), Rachel Topham (Faber Music), Maddy Barnes & Peter Tamblyn (English Touring Opera)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 education w
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.104 - Mark Phillips, Catherine Barker
Send us Fan MailIn 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 for
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.103 - Jane Mitchell (Aurora Orchestra), Hattie Fisk (Music & Drama Ed Awards), Dr Bushra El-Turk & Dr Joel Bell (The Alternative Conservatoire)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Joel Bel
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.102 - Prof. Martin Fautley
Send us Fan MailIn 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 to all t
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.101 - Liz Dunbar, Nate Holder, Sam Leak
Send us Fan MailIn 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 perfec
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.100 - MTA Conference 2024: Errollyn Wallen, Simon Toyne, and more
Send us Fan MailMTA 2024 CONFERENCE SPECIALIn 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 in
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.99 - Mark Llewelyn Evans (ABC of Opera), Pauline Black, Nate Holder
Send us Fan MailIn 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, expanding
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.98 - Caroline Nokes MP, Oli Rose (Lang Lang Foundation), Dr James Olsen
Send us Fan MailIn 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 suites o
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.97 - Mike Simpson, Kay Charlton, Nathaniel Dye
Send us Fan MailIn 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, D
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.96 - David A Stowell, Can Do Music, David Mason (Viscount Organs)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Davi
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.95 - 2024 Music & Drama Expo Special
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 'AI: the
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.94 - Liz Stafford, Gill Davies, Lesley Tyler (Expo Preview)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 sem
Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.93 - Sarah McWatt (Amp), Vic Holmes (Note Weavers), Vanessa Wilson-Best
Send us Fan MailIn 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 and pr
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.92 - Francesca Christmas & Toby Davies (Trinity College), David Gray, Robin Harrison (Maestro Online)
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Online, i
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.91 - Janet Fischer (Live Music Now), Dr Anna Mariguddi, Keith Sykes (Lewisham Music)
Send us Fan MailIn 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, Fro
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.90 - Zac Moxon, Sarah MacDonald
Send us Fan MailIn 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 Christma
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.89 - Dr Kirsty Devaney, Jimmy Rotheram
Send us Fan MailIn 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://kirs
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.88 - Jason Poulston, Sophia Allen (Friday Afternoons), Randye Jones
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 88, Patrick meets Jason Poulston, the music teacher behind the fantastic resource Music Homework, which does exactly what it says on the tin!Sophia Allen from Britten-Pears Arts introduces their newly-commissioned songs as part of Friday Afternoons, and the Big Sing!And singer, author, educator and researcher Randye Jones discusses Spirituals: their origins, the use of d
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.87 - Paul McCreesh (Gabrieli Roar), James Manwaring, Paul Clark (Clod Ensemble)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 87, Patrick chats to conductor Paul McCreesh about the next Gabrieli Roar project, and about singing and repertoire for young people.James Manwaring previews the next Music Teacher Monday webinar, looking at teaching harmony at Key Stage 5.And composer Paul Clark introduces the Clod Ensemble's massive composition resource, Ear Opener, designed to support teachers an
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.86 - Catherine Barker, Music Minds Matter, ABRSM Exams
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 86, Patrick finds out what's in the new edition of the MTA's Ensemble magazine, with MTA president, Catherine Barker.He chats to Joe Hastings, from the charity Music Minds Matter, set up to provide a free 24/7 counselling service for musicians and music teachers;And Ali Bowen-Davies and Lincoln Abbotts from the ABRSM explain the process that leads to the develo
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.85 - Dice Wood, Laura Hailstone (Music Mark), Paul Blaylock
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 85, Patrick meets Dice Wood, author of the teaching blog Grab and Go Guides, and chats about how to say No to excess workload, how to reduce time spent marking homework, and the message that homework sends to students.Laura Hailstone from Music Mark introduces their annual conference, being held in November.And Paul Blaylock discusses his highly successful approach to th
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.84 - Alex Aitken, Music Monsters (Lauren Elliott), George Fenton
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 84, Patrick chats to Alex Aitken about his enormous new resource, Mastering A Level Music, focussing on the Edexcel course.Lauren Elliott from Music Monsters introduces the wonderful work they do with young musicians from the age of three upwards, using play to teach the piano and theory.And film and TV composer George Fenton looks at this year's GCSE Film Music Co
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.83 - Rachel Shapey, Leanne Sedin, Adam Saunders, Dan Francis
Send us Fan MailIn the first episode of the new academic year, Patrick chats to Rachel Shapey about her new book, co-authored with Nate Holder, Listen and Celebrate, written to help teachers to enrich and diversify music at Key Stage 3.Leanne Sedin and Adam Saunders tell Patrick all about their new project, The Music Teachers' Choir, set up to get music teachers together to sing, every month.
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.82 - Rob Reich-Storer, Katy Thomson, Catherine Barker
Send us Fan MailIn the final episode of the academic year, Patrick chats to Rob Reich-Storer about his music resource website, Rhythmstix, and to Katy Thomson about Ground:Ed, which offers workshops to help teachers and students harness their creativity, build awareness and self-confidence.Finally, Patrick signs off the year by chatting to MTA President Catherine Barker, about the 2022-23 academic
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.81 - Ear Master, Mark Aitchison, Dr Rebecca Berkley
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 82, Patrick talks to Niels Bastrup and Hans Jakobsen from aural training app Ear Master, about a new feature designed to help students with the aural tests in ABRSM exams and beyond; Mark Aitchison shares his planning for the next academic year, taken from a recent MTA ECT webinar;And Dr Rebecca Berkley, Associate Professor in Music Education, at the Institute of Educati
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.80 - Nate Holder, Olivia Sparkhall, Chris Stevens
Send us Fan MailIn episode 80, Patrick finds out about the Why Music Festival, curated by Nate Holder - a one-day online festival on 4th July 2023, aimed at pupils, and featuring a wide variety of speaker. (Link below.)Olivia Sparkhall tells Patrick all about her new book, “A Young Person's Guide to Vocal Health”, and talks about the importance of vocal health for young people, including the
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.79 - Melanie Spanswick, Cynthia Stephens-Himonides & Meggie Young, Darius Brubeck
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 79, Patrick chats to pianist and composer Melanie Spanswick about her graded anthology of piano books, Women Composers, exclusively featuring music by female composers.From the 2023 RiME conference, Cynthia Stephens-Himonides (Kingston University) and Meggie Young (Ohio State University) discuss their research into music teachers' self-identity when it comes to the
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.78 - MTA Conference 2023: Greg Coughlin, Sontronics, Rebecca Arnold, Charles Price, Don Gillthorpe, Catherine Barker
Send us Fan MailMTA CONFERENCE SPECIALIn Episode 78, Patrick reports from the 2023 MTA Conference, held in the Loughborough Schools Foundation.Greg Coughlin discusses non-traditional routes to GCSE Music, Lisa Coley introduces the range of microphones available from Sontronics, Rebecca Arnold chats about her experiences at her first MTA Conference, and Charles Price explains how to demystify the c
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.77 - Cynthia Stephens-Himonides, Maria Mendonça, Lucinda Geoghegan, Mark Wilderspin (MTA Conference Preview), Naomi McCarthy (ISM)
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 77, Patrick chats to Cynthia Stephens-Himonides and Maria Mendonça about incorporating Gamelan into curricula, particularly as a way of including disengaged young people.Looking ahead to the 2023 MTA Conference, sneak previews of two of the sessions, with Mark Wilderspin ('How to take student compositions from good to great') and Lucinda Geoghegan ('The K
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.76 - Vanessa Wilson-Best, Gavin Higgins (BBC Young Composer Competition), Dr Anthony Anderson
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 76, Patrick chats to Vanessa Wilson-Best about current matters in music education, and she gives an overview of the forthcoming Great Escape Festival’s Music Education Conference.Composer-in-association with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gavin Higgins, introduces the BBC’s Young Composer Competition.And Dr Anthony Anderson explores his recent RiME presentation, lo
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.75 - Amelia Parker (BBC Radio 4), Rodolfus Foundation, Dr Anna Mariguddi
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 75, Patrick chats to Amelia Parker, co-producer of BBC Radio 4’s “Rethinking Music” series on music education, about the making of the series.Simon Toyne, Sophie Taylor-Denton and Caius Lee talk about the Rodolfus Foundation’s Choral Courses for young singers; And Dr Anna Mariguddi gives a preview of her RiME presentation, looking at Prof. Lucy Green’s model of informal
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.74 - Kwame Bakoji-Hume, Judith Weir, Mark Aitchison
Send us Fan MailIn episode 74, Patrick chats to Kwame Bakoji-Hume from African Activites, about West African Drumming, and misconceptions about the music; the Master of the King's Music Judith Weir CBE offers some compositional tips (with James Manwaring and Liz Dunbar, from Music Teacher Mondays); and Mark Aitchison introduces his research project, looking at long-term changes to classroom
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.73 - Music Expo and Awards: Nathaniel Dye, Jessica Yuen, Richard Michael
Send us Fan Mail2023 MUSIC AND DRAMA EXPO AND AWARDS SPECIALIn Episode 73, Patrick visits the 2023 Music and Drama Expo, and chats to two of the speakers: Jessica Yuen on 'Exploring the Pentatonic', and Jazz pianist Richard Michael on 'Ingenious improvisation and arrangement techniques'. Plus, Patrick speaks to Music Leader, Nathaniel Dye, about the music provision at Nelson Pr
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.72 - Expo Preview: Georgina Leach, Stephen Marquiss
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 72, Patrick looks ahead to the Music and Drama Expo in February, chatting to two of the speakers about their forthcoming seminars:In "No Practice? No Problem!", violinist and teacher Georgina Leach discusses the initial importance of practising an instrument, questioning whether it is a form of exclusion, and looks at basic introduction to improvisation for non
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.71 - ORA Singers, Musiq Group, Chartered College of Teaching (Steven Berryman)
Send us Fan MailIn episode 71, Patrick talks to the Chief Exec of the ORA Singers, Matt Beale, and to the General Manager, Tom Rayner, about their annual Young Composers’ Scheme, encouraging students to send in their compositions for consideration.Michelle Buckman from the Musiq Group talks about their One Great Piano project, to get high-quality pianos into every school.And Dr Steven Berryman exp
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.70 - Letty Stott and Rebecca Celebuski (GALSI), Chris Hoban, Ross Garrod
Send us Fan MailIn the first episode of 2023, Letty Stott and Rebecca Celebuski from Gender And the Large and Shiny Instruments (GALSI) talk about the imbalance of female and non-binary musicians performing brass and percussion instruments;Chris Hoban introduces a potential new national song, A Song of England;And Ross Garrod discusses the ‘Missing Myelination Link’, the effect of regular musical
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.69 - Rebecca Barnett (Aurora Orchestra), Bob Chilcott
Send us Fan MailIn the final episode of 2022, Learning Director of Aurora Orchestra Rebecca Barnett tells Patrick about their new online resource for Early Years and KS1, The Magical Toy Box. Plus, composer Bob Chilcott chats about Christmas Carols, including composition tips about melody and structure.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying https://app.learning.auroraorches
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.68 - Ollie Tunmer, Suzzie Vango & Lucy Hollins, Simon Purcell
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 68, Patrick chats to Ollie Tunmer about Beat Goes On's Body Percussion Scheme of Work for key stages 1–4;And to Suzzie Vango & Lucy Hollins about their new book, "How to Make Your Choir Sound Awesome", focusing on warm-ups.In the final interview, Patrick discusses the role of improvisation within the classroom, and the role that Jazz pedagogy can play,
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.67 - Alex Parsons, Christopher Stevens
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 67, Alex Parsons talks to Patrick about approaches to melodic dictation at KS3 and KS4, as well as ways to develop greater aural awareness; And Ofsted’s National Lead for Music, and Senior HMI, Christopher Stevens, answers questions about curriculum design, and assessment in KS3 Music.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying https://trebleteaching.w
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.66 - Rebecca Ledgard & Sarah Batten (Ex Cathedra), and Paul McCreesh
Send us Fan MailRebecca Ledgard and Sarah Batten from Ex Cathedra, tell Patrick all about their various educational resources, including Choir Maker, designed to embed a love of singing with Year 7s.And legendary conductor Paul McCreesh gives some tips for running choir rehearsals, discusses Early Music in schools, and current and future Gabrieli Roar projects.https://www.singingplaygrounds.co.uk/
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.65 - Marie Bessant, Rachel Leach, Bridget Whyte
Send us Fan MailIn episode 65, OCR’s Lead Subject Advisor for music, Marie Bessant, tells Patrick about the processes an exam board goes through to create GCSE Music exams; And from a recent Hibbins Series webinar, Rachel Leach offers some ways to kick-start classroom compositions, and relate them to orchestral music; Finally, Chief Executive of Music Mark, Bridget Whyte, gives details of their a
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.64 - Shivani Rattan, Haim Kairy and the Arcana Strum
Send us Fan MailPatrick chats to Shivani Rattan about her new Indian Celebration Songs, designed to help young singers incorporate Indian celebrations into their choral experience. Shivani shares extracts from each of them, and explains their background.And Haim Kairy, CEO of Arcana Instruments, introduces the Arcana Strum, an musical instrument especially designed for musicians with limited mobil
Teaching Notes - MTA podcast - Ep.63 - Nate Holder, Matt Lawson, Emma Wild
Send us Fan MailIn Episode 63, Patrick chats to Prof. Nate Holder about the music of West Africa, and Nate's new book, "Where Are All The Instruments? West Africa". Dr Matt Lawson, Senior Lecturer in Music, Oxford Brookes University, tells Patrick about his passion for Film Music, and his schools workshops to pass this on to the next generation.And Emma Wild, Associate Director, Sta
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