The future of Scotland’s music curriculum will be debated this weekend amid concerns about falling standards in the way the subject is taught in schools.
Music teachers from across Scotland will gather at the University of Aberdeen on Saturday for Bridging the Gap? – a one day conference exploring the transition from music at school to music in Higher Education.
Classsroom teachers, instrumental tutors and representatives from Scotland's National Youth Choir and Youth Orchestra will join other members of Scotland's musical community to address the following issues:
· How successful have recent reforms of National Qualifications (especially Higher Music) been in improving accessibility to Music?
· Are qualifications still 'fit for purpose'?
· How well are pupils prepared for tertiary education?
· Do National Qualifications provide an appropriate bridge?
· How can we ensure that the music teachers of tomorrow have the necessary skills to adapt to changing environments?
"The debate is about more than students achieving a qualification: it is about the entire learning experience," said Dr David Smith, a Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Aberdeen and conference co-organiser.
"We'll be asking wider questions such as whether enough importance is placed on musical literary in music education, and if the curriculum should be focused on 'classical' music or should aim for accessibility by embracing popular music. The conference will also look at how well the curriculum currently engages the interest of young people."
The keynote speakers at Bridging the Gap are as follows:
- Kenneth Walton, who combines a teaching career with that of music critic and columnist for The Scotsman where he has published a critical appraisal of recent changes to Higher Music. His lecture is entitled 'Is the concern about lowering standards in Scotland's Higher music syllabus merely the outdated view of grumpy old traditionalists?'
- Phillip Thorne, who is Principal Teacher at St David's High School, Dalkeith, and Senior Lecturer at RSAMD. He has been awarded an MBE for services to music education.
- He will give a joint lecture on the Scottish music curriculum with Graeme Wilson, music Services Manager for Fife Council Education Service with responsibility for all aspects of music including an overview of the curriculum. For twenty years prior to that, he was a PT music.
The ISM's Chief Executive, Alison Pickard, said: "We have many members working in music education in Scotland. Some are very concerned about the value and direction of the new Higher syllabus, signified by a widening gap between studying music at school and at university. This event will examine how this shortfall came about and how the music profession can begin to address it."