AboutSue Catchpole Expertise I can answer questions on teaching Curriculum music (not specialist instrumental teaching)with children age 3 - 11. For example how to teach beat and rhythm; keeping control in instrumental lessons! Composition, listening skills etc. Because of the unique nature of my job, moving from school to school and without many of the professional commitments of the usual Primary teacher, many of the more general questions about educational practice are outside my scope. I prefer to answer questions purely about the teaching of Music.
Experience I was a Primary class teacher for nine years then became a Music specialist doing freelance teaching in schools for two years and then joining the Curriculum Support Team as part of the schools Music service in Sandwell, West Midlands where I teach approximately a thousand children every week in seven different schools. I completed an intensive training programme run by the Voices Foundation (the aural approach to Music Education) and have led many training sessions for Primary non-specialist teachers. I am an experienced musician and play piano to diploma standard, accordion in a semi-professional barn dance band, Recorder and Clarinet. I am assistant director of Music at an annual weeklong residential Circle-Dance event, Music director of one of the 4 yearly Lichfield Mystery Plays and own my own Music Publishing Company.
Organizations Musician's Union, General Teaching Council, National Accordion Organisation, Carl Orff Association (Primary Music Education); English Folk Dance and Song Society.
Publications I am just completing a publication called 'Stamp and Play' introducing a new method of recording children's composition work.
Education/Credentials Certificate of Education (Music specialist); A.L.C.M. (Piano performance, history, theory and composition); Grade 8 Music Theory; Grade 5 Clarinet; Grade 4 Piano Accordion; Advanced Certificate Trio Sonata Performance (Recorder).
Question Hi Sue Catchpole, I am a BA (QTS)music Hons Primary teacher, and after 5 years classroom teaching I would like now to specialise in Music. Currently working afternoons doing just that with KS1 I would like to be better at it! I have lots of great singing resources but lack ideas and confidence in getting the children exploring percussion and teaching composition. I would also love to find a book that gives an overview of the primary music curriculum for a specialist. Any tips in this area would be so appreciated. Thank You so much. Clare Margaret
Answer Hi Clare,
Thanks for getting in touch. You've no idea how wonderful it is, for a change, to hear from someone in the UK asking a relevant question! I get loads of questions from the States wanting to know about sociological issues and related topics which I don't even understand!!
The very best advice I can give you is to go on the six day training course run by the Voices Foundation. www.voices.org.uk They're held at various locations, spread over one day per half term.
I was a class teacher for years, although specialising in Music, and thought I knew all there was to know about teaching Music until I went on their course. It trains you to teach Music in a logical, methodical way, starting with finding the singing voice etc, moving on to beat, rhythm, pitch, structure, improvising etc. all through the use of simple songs and aural training. Lots of ideas about teaching composition in a structured way, how to use instruments in composing - real music, not just the 'go off in a group and make rain forest sounds' type of stuff.
It isn't a cheap course, but believe me it's worth every penny. I got my school to pay for it, and when I moved to the local Music service and told them about it, they immediately paid for the whole team to go and do the training and every new person has done it as a matter of course.
There are two books based on the programme, "Growing With Music" 1 (KS1) and 2a (KS2)by Michael Stocks, who is one of the trainers. They are good as stand alone resource books but you really need the training to go with them.
Where are you based?
In the Midlands we have the annual Singposium with workshops specialists. It's the first week in July in Birmingham. There are always several music publishers therewith specialist material.
Before I start giving you lists of books, let me know what you feel about that suggestion (Voices). I'll be away next week (half-term) but will be back on the net next weekend if you want more help.
In any case, please do keep in touch. It's always good to talk to other Music teacher.
Best wishes,
Sue
