The new model music curriculum: thoughts and reflections

April 26th, 2021 | 0 min read

The new model music curriculum has been launched by the DfE for schools in England.

In this video I discuss the curriculum and reflect on how music leaders, educators and managers might react to the document. Needless to say I've included a few thoughts of my own.

I broadly discuss six themes, each with its own chapter in the video:

Introduction
Repertoire
Music Technology
Brass Playing and Teaching
Opportunities presented by the document
A personal reflection on the success of a thriving school music department

As lockdown eases this publication by the Department of Education has certainly added energy to the music education conversation and brought music higher up the agenda.

What are your thoughts on the curriculum and its potential impact on schools, music education hubs, national ensembles and musical life in general in England?

Chris Fower

As an undergraduate Chris studied Jazz at Leeds College of Music and then became a member of the Advanced Studies, post-graduate performers course at the Royal Academy of Music and Principal Bass Trombone with the European Community Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. He then spent 25 years as a busy freelance performer based in both London and the North of England working with a wide variety of ensembles and artists, including being a member of Grimethorpe Colliery Band, The British Philharmonic Orchestra, Dame Shirley Bassey’s Orchestra and the Creative Jazz Orchestra.

Alongside this Chris has worked extensively in all areas of music education, latterly as a leading deliverer and trainer in informal, large group practice. This included roles as Leader in Wider Opportunities at Hertfordshire Music Service, Leader of Instrumental Development for Derbyshire City and County Music Partnership and as a face to face trainer on the Trinity Guildhall/Open University “Whole Class Instrumental Learning” national training program.

He became a key member of the team that created pBone, the plastic trombone in 2011/12 and has been involved with pBone Music in various roles since then. Chris is currently the Director of Creativity and Innovation for the company, a role that includes overseeing product development and improvement, quality and education.

Topics:

Video

11-14

7-11

Music

pBone

junior band

sustainability