Every music teacher in the country must have been watching "Don't stop the music" aired on Channel 4 this week. Classical pianist James Rhodes (sorry I've never heard of him) is on a mission to provide every child in every school with a musical instrument. He was astounded to hear that there was no budget allocated for music in a school in Essex - sadly I believe this is typical of most schools. I however was astounded that the Head hadn't allocated any budget - as I understand it the Head ultimately decides where the money goes! Music education has become bottom of the pile and it angers me (and a lot of other music teachers!). Sadly many educational establishments do not recognise the importance of music education and the fact that it promotes all areas of learning and can in fact inspire those children who find Maths and Literacy a challenge. Not only can music promote social and emotional well being it helps in all areas of the curriculum. Mathematics - the counting of beats, rhythmic patterns and structure of songs and rhymes, pitch awareness links to enhanced spatialskills ; Literacy - rhymes and songs have phrasing, phonics, rhyming words, linking sounds and letters - singing can help speech; Understanding the world - songs from different nations, songs about different topics, the feel and tone of a song; History - songs and music have been written in different periods of history and reporting history ..... I could go on. If music can do all of this and more why is it at the bottom of the list? Probably because many teachers do not give music enough credit and see it as a pastime - something which can make us feel good but is not necessarily important. The teacher at the school in Essex is a prime example: "I can't see how its going to fit in. I cannot see how sitting and listening to music and understanding how to play an instrument when I should be teaching the extra maths or literacy, is going to benefit them." Many Primary schools place no importance on music education what-so-ever. Even the schools who believe they are "musical schools" because they have choir or recorder club but they are not providing a music lesson where children can learn step by step musical concepts of pulse, pitch, rhythm etc. And it is a step-by-step process you can't jump in midway and start talking about key signatures, chords or modes. To become a skilled musician it is a long process - like learning to read and write. Well we could argue not everyone wants t become a skilled musician. That's true however I go back to the benefits. James Rhodes said "music saved my life" it was there when he needed it at his worst time in his life. I'm guessing he had quite a privileged life to have gone to a school where music was at its heart. He's a lucky one!
I believe many children benefit from music and it should be a basic human right to be able to listen, sing, learn, play music. Sadly the opportunities are not there. I am keen to see how the rest of this documentary pans out and I think it is great he is drawing attention to music education. However I disagree with the fact that children need instruments. As a music teacher specialising in Kodaly, I truly believe children do not need instruments to play to learn music. Kodaly's philosophy is that music should belong to everyone and that we each have a voice which is accessible and can be used as a tool for learning musical concepts. There is no need for expensive instruments and the earlier we start to learn the easier the journey. Young children are sponges, they absorb and retain information readily and eagerly and this is the best time to introduce them to music. So for me actual instruments are not necessary however I think every child should get to experience listening to a live orchestra, holding, seeing or even playing an instrument. The look on the children's faces, when James Rhodes brought an orchestra into school, was priceless! Children want to learn music, it excites them, it moves them and fills them with energy. One little girl summed it up for me she said: "You've got to let children play and instrument 'cause everybody loves music. If anyone don't like music that's just a shocker!"
Thank you to Margaret for sending this comment......
In my opinion, this is an excellent summary of what music does for the human mind and body - it changes everything for the better! The evidence for the beneficial positive effects of quality active musicmaking using a set-by-step approach to learning through a process of preparation, presentation and practice is overwhelming and freely available on the World Wide Web network, and the benefits have implications for the development of all skills in every aspect of learning, and for the psychological and physical health of the human being, as can be seen from the research of psychologists, neuroscientists and educationalists throughout the world: for instance, the work of Dr. Tamas Freund of Szeged University, Hungary, Dr. Wilfred Gruhn of Mannheim/Frieburg University, Germany, and Baroness Susan Greenfield of Oxford University, England, to mention only three eminent scientists at 'the cutting edge' of current research.
Margaret Green – Margaret@greensoflondon.co.uk
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