Information Bulletin
27 March 2007
Youth Music Initiative - Wanted - Musicians and music for primary pupils
Shetland’s allocation of the Youth Music Initiative funding has been in excess of £100,000 since the program started back in 2003. The Scottish Executive has now announced an extension to the funding, to encourage authorities to develop their overall music provision and continue to develop the projects already begun. The fund’s administrating body, the Scottish Arts Council, is now encouraging authorities to widen and extend the scope of musical activity on offer and also to explore a wider range of ways to deliver music to children.
Amongst the many projects already established in Shetland through YMI funding, Fetlar pupils have had access to mini-accordion tuition; pupils at Mid Yell have set up a Guitar Club; the Bell’s Brae Special Unit have increased access to a music specialist; pupils in a number of primary schools have been working with African Drumming expert Joy Duncan; and many schools’ staff have received training in Kodaly Singing Games and Rhymes for primary pupils. From April, using community musician, Fraser Mouat, primary schools will be offered the opportunity to further develop music technology.
Shetland already has an excellent range of provision in schools, but there is still demand for more. For example, schools have indicated there is an increasing demand for guitar tuition from pupils so methods to deliver this will have to be explored.
Some of the recommendations within the Youth Music Initiative are to “reconfigure the ways in which musical instruction is delivered, considering alternatives to the established models.” And also to “develop partnerships with organisations and individuals outwith the formal education sector, for example, using community musicians, traditional music projects, professional performers and ensembles.”
The YMI wishes to encourage schools to provide experience of making music to all children and young people.
If we are to meet the aspirations of our young people, we need the skills of musicians, whether music teachers, instrumental instructors or musicians in the community, who would be willing to run occasional workshops, to come forward and work within the Youth Music Initiative project. Ideas for projects can come from primary schools and departments or from parents, teachers or anyone with an interest in this area. Following last week’s successful Schools’ Music Festival, maybe you saw a performance which would give a new musical experience for children in your area.
If you are interested in offering your musical skills to primary schools or if you have ideas for projects in your area, please contact Caroline Breyley, Quality Improvement Manager, on Lerwick 743966 or Jane Morton, Senior Instrumental Instructor on 744086.
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