primary music

Nate Holder’s journey to Listen and Celebrate

I’m really excited about Listen & Celebrate, a new book I’ve co-written with Helen MacGregor and published with Collins Music. It’s designed for KS1 and KS2 teachers interested in introducing pupils to music created around the world and across history. This book aims to be a resource that… Read More

Navigating cultural capital in primary music

Most schools in England are aware of the concept of ‘cultural capital’, defined by Ofsted as ‘the essential knowledge pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said’. Taking our pupils on a journey of musical discovery through history’s greatest hits seems… Read More

Ideas for safe music lessons post-lockdown in Years 2-5

The benefits of music have been well-researched and documented and show that carefully planned music provision has the potential to support children’s emotional well-being during these disturbing times, providing a positive sense of community, confidence and enjoyment and an expressive outlet. But how can we alleviate some of the effects of this unsettling time through music teaching while observing the current safety guidelines? Read More

Ideas for safe music lessons post-lockdown in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6

The benefits of music have been well-researched and documented and show that carefully planned music provision has the potential to support children’s emotional well-being during these disturbing times, providing a positive sense of community, confidence and enjoyment and an expressive outlet. But how can we alleviate some of the effects of this unsettling time through music teaching while observing the current safety guidelines? Read More

Activities for Key Stage 2 home music lessons

Do you want some lively key stage 2 music lesson ideas for your home-schooling timetable? Would you like fun activities which can be used at any time of the day to engage and refresh your child? Would you like to develop all-round skills which help enhance learning across other subjects? Read More

Activities for Key Stage 1 home music lessons

Do you want some lively key stage 1 music lesson ideas for your home-schooling timetable? Would you like fun activities which can be used at any time of the day to engage and refresh your child? Would you like to develop all-round skills which help enhance learning across other subjects? Read More

Equipping children for their future through music and song

Thank you to music education expert Andy Silver for this guest post. For me, education is about more than just academia: of equal if not greater importance is the development of a child’s personal capabilities and the growth of attributes for life. The question of coping in ‘the real world’… Read More

Teaching music through rhymes

Thank you to Get Set! Piano author Karen Marshall for the below guest post. Teaching music through rhymes One of the most successful ways to teach rhythm is through rhyme and if the rhyme has silly words – even better. How often is a tricky rhythm corrected once words… Read More