Duncan Mackrill

Please, please ditch the wretched EBacc...

As pupils return to classrooms, a reminder that they'll be coming to music lessons expecting & hoping to experience music. Talk & writing can help make sense of musical experience but it's not the most important thing. Wishing all music teachers well. Be brave. Put music first.

Debates in Music Teaching Second Edition (Ed Philpott and Spruce) has arrived. An impressive range of thought for the post grad music teacher to engage with. Oh, and the enquiring music teacher in general.

@David_Spendlove Nick Gibb’s account doesn’t ring true for me based on the universities I have been involved with and those in ITE that I know.

Fascinated to know which university ‘faculties of education’ Nick Gibb actually visited? Did anyone give poor Nick a ‘frosty’ reception or use ‘academic jargon & obfuscation’ to prevent a discussion. I mean why would you - he was only trying to destroy provision #ITTMarketreview

Piece on recent A-level music results with comment from BMERG @MyBCU @myBCUresearch @BirmCons

This makes for good reading....

Looking forward to keynotes from @DrFautley, @simonpurcelljaz and @akapaulineblack at the Sussex Secondary Music Conference this Thursday (19th June)!

Last chance to book for the Sussex Secondary Music Teacher Conference on Thurs 19th June if you are a teacher working with Sussex Uni or teaching in a secondary state school in Sussex: eventbrite.co.uk/e/sussex-secon…

Newly published article in BJME by Katya Davisson exposing the Model Music Curriculum ideology. It’s that old problem of music viewed as a collection of autonomous objects. A really good read.

Hmm - Music Hubs "Only funded to August 2025"! Crikey - clarity needed ASAP!

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend (and Easter holidays if you just broke up). Please share the tweet below if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning a copy of my new book! ♥️

"My friends, colleagues and I have signed this letter calling for action from the government to save music education. Read our letter and share this post with your followers (tagging @Keir_Starmer) to help us protect and grow music education in and out of schools. edsheeranfoundation.com/protect-grow-m… We are at a critical point: a future of no music in state schools, no music teachers to teach, broken instruments and no grassroots venues. As a young music student and aspiring artist, I benefited from opportunities in and out of school to learn & grow. Unfortunately, after decades of defunding and de-prioritising, music is no longer a right for all children - it’s a luxury for only a few. Music is key to the UK economy, wellbeing & mental health, communities and young people’s dreams. Talent is everywhere across the UK - I saw it when I visited cities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. But not all young people have the same opportunities – and we want to change that" - Ed x

@Music_bod I agree. And I note the reference to ‘knowledge rich’ and ‘mastery’ elsewhere. It doesn’t seem at present to have delivered on re-establishing the place and purpose of the arts in the curriculum as suggested by some in Government… maybe further ‘evidence’ will change that?

@Music_bod Yes but disappointing that it only ‘suggests’ - surely they have seen the evidence for this over many years…?!

I’m one of those releasing this silent album today - govt needs to reverse this proposal before it’s too late. #isthiswhatwewant

Closing in 3 days! It's your last chance to apply for an exceptional opportunity at Music Masters. Are you the Head of Development we need to grow fundraised income and supercharge our national impact? Deadline for applications 5.00 p.m. Thursday. musicmasters.org.uk/who-we-are/wor…

Great to see this valuable tool updated and launched! Thank you @AllyDaubney, @DrFautley and @ISM_trust

I’m delighted that @SueYoung351 will be the keynote speaker at BCMGs Listen Imagine Compose Primary conference. Susan is the author of numerous articles, chapters & books and a frequent speaker at national & international conferences. To book: bit.ly/3OoMx3g

Applications for Musicians of Change are now open! 🎓 Our PGCEi in inclusive group learning is unique in the sector. Join our community of exceptional educators. To apply or download our prospectus, visit: musicmasters.org.uk/pgcei  #MusicEducation #TeacherTraining

I’m sure this will be a fascinating listen. Thank you @anitanee @AllyDaubney @NewhamMusic