SMA was pleased to be associated with this major event, and to be an exhibitor.

The report details the findings based on evidence provided by Local Authorities on November 30th 2011 in order to draw down their second instalment of the Music Education Grant (2011/2012).

The data relates to the actual numbers of young people involved in music making during the academic year 2010/2011 and projected figures for the academic year 2011/2012 as at November 30th 2011.

A further report is planned for May 2012 to provide updated figures for 2011/2012, which will be able to further inform policies and plans for 2012 to 2015.

For many decades, the SMA has been calling for better teacher training in music, and the Plan recognises this need by the introduction of the Initial Teacher Training add-on module, designed to boost new teachers’ skills and confidence in music. SMA would like to see this as integral to teacher training, particularly at Primary level, rather than something tacked on at the end of a three year course. We sincerely hope that such integration will eventually take place. We also applaud the desire to see an increased use of technology in music teaching, another area where greater training is required, the provision of which will presumably be the responsibility of the new hubs.

The plan extends to 2020, and while we are pleased to see a commitment to funding until August 2015, we are concerned that it is at a lower level than currently available from Government. Mention is made of other potential sources of income for the new ‘hubs’, though at first glance, it does not appear that Local Authorities, for example, will necessarily be obliged to contribute. ‘More for less’ is clearly what is demanded. What funds there are, will be distributed by the Government appointed Fund Holder, Arts Council England, whose responsibility it will be to monitor and hold to account, how well the hubs are spending the money and what value they are achieving. Ofsted too will be part of the equation, as will schools and parents and carers. In other words, it is up to all of us involved in music education to ensure that we are getting the best value educationally as well as financially. SMA whole-heartedly supports this approach, though we fervently hope that financial stringency will not bring about a situation where musician becomes pitted against musician as they make their bids to be employed by the hubs.

As an Association, since its inception in 1938, SMA has consistently contributed to music making experiences for children and their teachers outside the school and hope to be able to work closely with the hubs in the future. We wish all those currently involved in delivering music education – music services, private providers and trusts – a smooth path to the formation of these new hubs. Hopefully we are emerging from a situation of music in education being in limbo, and plans can at last be devised to build upon the foundations about to be laid.

Click here for a flyer.

Click here for the application form.

More about VOCES8 on http://www.voces8.com/web/