Information Bulletin
Schools Music Festival 2008
Following consultation with head teachers, music teachers and music instructors, the Schools Service has taken the decision not to hold a Schools Music Festival or a Schools Music Week in March 2008.
Unfortunately as a result of staffing changes within the central service it is not possible to organise a Music Festival, in its traditional format, for 2008. Funding to support the event remains available from the Scottish Arts Council, Youth Music Initiative funding stream.
The Schools Service will now consult further, with head teachers, in the first instance, as to the best way to celebrate our children’s achievements in music, and in all other areas of their arts and cultural educational experiences. This process will begin at the next scheduled head teachers’ meeting in March.
Given the introduction of the new Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish education, which charges us, amongst other things, to seek ways of celebrating pupils achievements beyond the traditional formal exam structure, and to ensure this celebration takes account of their unique experiences of their own cultural and community traditions, there is an opportunity for us all here to embrace the Curriculum for Excellence in Shetland.
Meanwhile, in 2008, proposed workshops for primary pupils will be provided through the Youth Music Initiative funding and these will be made available at various times from now until the end of the school session in July. We hope to ensure pupils access a wide variety of musical genre and hope that they all enjoy the experience of taking part.
Ends.