Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Launch of The UK Association for Music Education ­ Music Mark

Launch of The UK Association for Music Education - Music Mark

This morning we held the official launch event for the new
organisation at the Royal Society of the Arts. Invited guests from
across music education and the music industry attended and heard about
the aims, purpose and activities of the new organisation and were
asked to consider how they could link in with us in strategic
partnerships to help achieve a better musical future for all our
children.

The Carrodus Quartet, Oxfordshire Music Service, provided two
performances and Jo Mundell-Perkins, from the group, was the first
speaker and talked about what her music education and the
opportunities she has access to, mean to her. Darren Henley OBE, said
in his speech that: " The government has made it clear that it wants
to engage with a single voice for music education. There are lots of
reasons for not joining together, but also lots of reasons to do so.
We must have an infrastructure to support music teachers and show them
that they are valued." Chair, Nigel Taylor referred in his speech to
rapid changes in government policy and commented: "We've got schools
who are bewildered about where music should sit in their
consciousness." He went on to say that Music Mark would argue
powerfully for a coherent vision for music in schools.

Nigel was delighted to announce that Charles Hazlewood is our new Patron:

"I was thrilled to be invited to be the first Patron of The UK
Association for Music Education - Music Mark and which I accept with
delight. It is a privilege to be a part of this new organisation which
builds upon the illustrious pasts of the Federation of Music Services
and the National Association of Music Educators and looks forward with
vision, ambition and a huge range of talent and skill amongst its
membership

A great music education, up-close and personal, is not a luxury for
the few, it's a birth-right for all! Whether its an opportunity to
play a musical instrument or sing or compose or improvise or play in a
band or an orchestra (or hopefully all of those and more) music is
sovereign amongst all subjects in being able to spark young people's
imagination, unleash their creativity, stimulate their social
conscience and galvanise their sense of community and belonging"

Finally - I am extremely pleased to announce that our brand new
website will go live tomorrow morning (19th March). The second phase
of development will include the password protected Membership area of
the website and is expected to be ready in early May. Please visit the
website on www.musicmark.org.uk<http://www.musicmark.org.uk> from
Tuesday morning.

With all best wishes,

Yours Virginia
Virginia Haworth-Galt
Chief Executive
The UK Association for Music Education - Music Mark Suite 23, Tulip House,
70 Borough High Street
London, SE 1 1XF
0207 864 9985

www.musicmark.org.uk<http://www.musicmark.org.uk/>

Supported by ABRSM and Yamaha Music Europe GmBh (UK) The UK
Association for Music Education is a Charitable Company Limited by
Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Charity Nº 1118542.
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