Ensembles in Special Schools Fuses Instruments & Technology
Pupils at special schools across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been provided specialist access to the latest music technology to support whole class instrumental and technology ensemble learning with the help of Make Some Noise musicians as part of the partnership offer from the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Music Education Hub.
The students aged between 14 and 18 alongside staff from one of the Special Schools, Two Rivers High School in Glascote have been taking part in a series of weekly interactive workshops delivered by Make Some Noise.
The students who have varying levels of special educational needs have gained first-hand experience from specialist musicians in using some of the latest technological methods throughout the sessions, including the iPad, Soundbeam and Khoros to generate their own music, performing as part of a group in their school concert, alongside Make Some Noise professional musicians. The activities have also helped support the young people in achieving the nationally recognised Arts Award Bronze Level 1 accreditation, something which Head of Music Gail Brindley was keen to develop further at the school. With Make Some Noises help this has become a reality with feedback from those taking part being highly positive.
Pupils also recently took part in the schools "Christmas Wonderland" Fayre with a performance of the songs which they have written as a group.
Nicola Briggs, Programme Development Officer for Make Some Noise said: "We strongly believe that music is an effective way of engaging with children and young people of all ages and abilities. We are delighted to have worked with Two Rivers High School, and it has been very rewarding for all those involved to see these young people enjoy exploring different ways of creating music through technology.
Gail Brindley, Head of Music at Two Rivers School, added:
"I appreciate that technology is at the forefront of Music education and have been delighted to welcome Make Some Noise into our school. The students have really benefitted from using a wide variety of Music technology. They have succeeded tremendously well in everything they tried which has increased their self confidence levels and their interest in music in general. In addition, with the added support of Make Some Noise staff, students have completed enough work to gain a Trinity College Bronze Arts Award in Music."
Arts Award is now working in partnership with Make Some Noise to review the accessibility of their Discover and Explore Arts Award levels to support Make Some Noise’s aspiration to take all the participants on the Enriching Futures (Cold Spot) programme through the Arts Award accreditation process.
This programme of activity forms part of the Enriching Futures project, which has been funded with thanks to a Musical Inclusion Grant, from the National Foundation Youth Music. Enriching Futures is working closely with special schools across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to introduce, and support teachers, in using assistive music technology to utilise alongside their own practice.
Click here to learn more about the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Music Education Hub
Click here to learn more about the Arts Award