Thursday, 28 Aug 08
In 1996 the formation of The National Association of Music Educators resulted from an amalgamation of MANA (The Music Advisers National Association) and The Association for the Advancement of Teacher Education in Music (AATEM).
In June 1942 and the war-torn gloom of that year, Dr Charles Hooper of Bradford, both
Inspector of Schools for Bradford and also Music Adviser, arranged for the first annual
conference of MANA to take place in London assisted by Cyril Winn, HM Staff Inspector for
Music at the Board of Education. Eleven people attended along with representatives from
the BBC. Items on the agenda in 1942 were: the musical training of teachers, instrumental
playing in schools and where was the money to be found for developing music
education.....what price progress! |
| 1943-1946 | Board of Education resolves to encourage LEAs to appoint more Music Advisers. Music HMIs urged to achieve some parity with Art and P.T. (!) |
| 1947 | Music Advisers National Association formally established. Chair: Edmund Priestly of West Riding; Secretary: Dr Hooper; Executive member: Cyril Perfect of Northumberland. |
| 1948 | Discussions with BBC to supplement the teaching of music in schools through 'Adventures in Music' and 'Singing Together'. Dame Ninette de Valois and Eric Blom invited to address conference. First steps in developing a nation-wide instrumental teaching service through LEAs. |
| 1949 | 'Some suggestions for the teaching of music in schools' published. |
| 1950 | Conference topics included were: Music with movement and dance; the supervision of music students on teaching practice and the musical qualifications of classroom teachers. |
| 1951-1952 | Main threads for discussion included the deployment of music specialists in primary schools. Only 5% of students at training colleges were studying music. Contributors included Bernard Shore, Ruth Railton (National Youth Orchestra), Reginald Thatcher (Principal of the RAM) and John Friend (Principal of the new Bretton Hall College). |
| 1953 | Dorothy Adams-Jeremiah (Monmouthshire) became chair. |
| 1954 | The association was represented at the UNESCO conference on music education in Brussels. Allegedly, music education in Britain came in for criticism for not keeping pace with developments in Europe - namely the introduction of high quality classroom instruments. |
| 1955 | Contributors included Dennis Brearley (Secretary of the ISM) and a mass 'play-in' of harmonicas(from Hohner) with a piece by the brilliant young composer, Antony Hopkins |
| 1956 | The agenda included discussions with The Guild of Composers on student compositions. Trinity College of Music hosted one of the days. |
| 1957 | The Royal Academy of Music was a focus this year with Sir Thomas Armstrong as Principal taking about the new GRSM course which had graduate equivalent status recognised by London University. |
| 1958 | Not to be left out, The Royal College of Music was the venue this year where Sir Ernest Bullock outlined his views on music education and Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams, at one of his last appearances before his death, spoke in support of the Association. |
| 1959 | Guests of honour included Sir Arthur Bliss, Bernard Shore, John Horton and Sir Edward Boyle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education. Conference visited the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Kenneth Simpson featured as the newly appointed Head of Music in the Department of Education of London University. |
| 1960 | John Horton, Staff Inspector for Music, gave an address on the course of music education over the coming decade. There was concern expressed over the standard of singing in secondary schools and an exposition of the Scottish system of music education. |
| 1961 | Conference moved to Cambridge. Items included were 'Music in the Secondary Modern School' and 'Musicianship through Aural Training'. |
| 1962 | Success of previous year led to repeat. Peter Maxwell Davies featured in a session on creative work. |
| 1963 | Malting House, Cambridge was the venue. Opera in schools, classical and 'pop music for young people, American Marching Bands and music and Music teaching in Czechoslovakia were discussed. A brochure containing the aims and objectives of the association was begun. |
| 1964 | Cambridge again and Kenneth returned as guest speaker at Conference. he spoke of the quality and lack of quantity of music teachers particularly in secondary schools. 'Music in the Technical College', 'Music with Handicapped Children', were topics of discussion. Yehudi Menhuin (at Conference Dinner) and Bernard Shore (on the Rural Schools Music Association) were main contributors. The executive talked about eligibility for membership. |
| 1965 | Venue: Nottingham. Topics: 'Training of the Musician', 'The Association of Music Organisers in Scotland'. Contributors: Muir Matheson and Arnold Whittall. Executive agreed to an application form which determined eligibility to join and the first association notepaper!! Income Tax relief on membership subscriptions was also raised. |
| 1966 | London venue centred on the BBC with sessions on school and adult broadcasting on radio and TV. William Glock and John Hosier were contributors. A new constitution for the association was outlined. |
| 1967 | Conference moved to York. HMIs led discussions on 'Future Problems for Music in Education' and 'Planning Music accommodation.Professor Wilfred Mellors discussed 'The scope of School Music' Another session at nearby Bretton Hall was entitled 'Sufficient for School Purposes'. There were long discussions on the many colleagues seeking membership for support and networking. MANA representation on other bodies and the setting up of Panels were important issues. |
| 1968 | Still further north in Edinburgh this year - the home of the Chairman. The Scottish Education Department, the Scottish National Academy of Music and Moray House (Local College of Education) were represented. Good practice in choral training was observed in a local boys secondary school. Representation on other bodies was agreed. Support for tax relief on musical instrument purchases for schools was tabled and Membership Secretary was appointed. Representatives of the association were appointed to British Association of Organiser and Lecturers in PE (BAOLPE) and the Talbot Lampson School of Conducting. |
| 1969 | 70 members attended the conference in Bristol. Topics were: Kodaly method, 'Music for slow learners', a contribution from a music adviser from Arizona, and reports from panels on Music Instrumental Teaching and on Colleges of Music and Music Departments in Colleges of Education. A panel was set up to investigate the structure of Public Examinations in Music. A member had sought the help of the association to help in a matter of duress with his LEA and representation by MANA was made on MTA, BSI, NYO and SMA. |
| 1970 | Lancaster. Issues raised were Public Examinations, Instrumental Music, a discretionary fourth year at Colleges of Music and discussions with the DES, the National Association of Drama Advisers and SCAM took place. Conference Secretary post created. |
| 1971 | Another first this year of a music exhibition in the venue at Essex University.The Long Island Youth Orchestra played and Dr Herman Regner spent up to five hours with delegates on various aspects of music education. 'Electronics in Music' received an airing.The admission of Advisory Teachers in Music was discussed as was music accommodation in schools. A Civic reception welcomed members to the conference and the Executive decided to meet three times a year. |
| 1972 | The Professor of Music at Sussex University was invited to speak. Topics included RoSLA, 'The role of the Adviser in the future', and the establishment of a music umbrella body which became knows as United Kingdom Council for Music Education (UKCMET) which also embraced training.The DES held a three conference on national concerns of the day at which Eric Stapleton represented MANA and a MANA representative was appointed to attend SMA executive meetings. The formal conference dinner was established this year. |
| 1973 | William Matthias, David Ward led sessions in Bangor which featured composition and 'Music for Slow Learners'. Membership had increased to 92 and a membership secretary and publicity officer were established. |
| 1974 | Scotland - Stirling University. Dr John Paynter (York - Schools Council Project) and Anthony Hedges (York) hosted sessions. Reorganisation of the association took place and clarification of the membership was provided. The TES took interest in music accommodation issues. Eric Stapleton became Honorary Secretary of UKCMET. |
| 1975 | Highly significant papers for music education were presented this year by the host Jack Dobbs (Dartington), Robert Witkin (on the 'Intelligence of Feeling') and Sir Anthony Lewis principal of the RAM. Representation now included The Disabled Living Foundation and ESTA. The Music Teacher carried a report on conference and the brochure of the association, its aims and objectives appeared. The training of intending teachers, discussion with the Royal Schools of Music, and the commissioning of commissioned works were topics for discussion. |
| 1976 | Durham hosted this year with contributions from Peter Brinson (Gulbenkian Foundation) and John Hosier (BBC). Executive met additionally in May to discuss conference, sponsorship was explored and the organisation of conference came under scrutiny. Nominations for members of Executive were proposed to come in future from the floor and various means of returning the association into solvency were discussed. The issue of music only available on hire was referred to the MPA. |
| 1977 | THE SILVER JUBILEE. 'The Future of Class Music' was a main area of discussion at Saffron Waldon this year. The NFER and Elkin (Publishers) mounted exhibitions. Three Essex teachers made contributions as did Michael Barnes on the Gulbenkian enquiry. Susan Alcock and Eta Cohen gave memorable addresses on 'The Independent Teacher and the LEA'. A Chairman's 'jewel of office' was founded. Membership now tops 100. An important contribution towards 'Music in the Curriculum' was made on behalf of children across the ability range. |
| 1978 | 'Music within the Curriculum - the way ahead' was the theme in Abergavenny.HMIs featured strongly in the meetings and the secretary of the companion Scottish Association was present.MANA publications were requested from libraries overseas. Regional organisation was discussed. |
| 1979 | Matlock. 'Music, A New Assessment' was the theme with Keith Swanwick (author of 'A basis for music education') and Tom Gamble (author of 'Composing, Performing and Listening in the Classroom') as contributors ahead of their time. It was suggested the regional conveners joined the Executive. A representative was appointed to SCAM and Chair of the Curriculum Panel was nominated. |
| 1980 | Attention was given to the apparent imbalance in numbers between male and female members of the association. Publications were scrutinised for gender imbalance and positive steps were made to safeguard the rising number of women members.The conference was held in Nonnington, Kent and the main issues for discussion were teacher training, reducing LEA resources, and management training for advisers. The situation in one LEA and supported through the association over charging for instrumental lessons developed into a court case and reached the national press. An outcome was the inconsistency across the country as a whole which remains to this day.(The year 1999 may bring changes....?) |
| 1981 | An attempt to adopt a new constitution failed. The conference held in Ayr with themes such as 'The Singing Voice in Education', External Examinations and a look back at Curriculum Paper 16 by Scottish HMI.The Curriculum Panel accepted MANAs music curriculum statement and LEAs received a statement on Instrumental Music Tuition. UKCMET was challenged to consider the effects of LEA funding cuts on music. Chairs of regions became ex-officio members of Executive. |
| 1982 | Conference was shared with ISME in Bristol. 'The Singing Voice' was a topic of discussion and the list of eminent speakers failed to attract the usually (by now 122) strong membership to attend in significant numbers. The recession in LEAs was blamed. Job descriptions for Executive officers were proposed and agreed. The post of Vice-Chair became executable from this year.Regions were charged to discuss National Criteria at 16+, the Gulbenkian Report 'The Arts in Schools', the selection of deputies to attend Executive in the place of conveners and the possible local funding of speakers and expenses at regional meetings. Examination Board (ABRSM, GSMD, TCM, LCM) grade successes at A Level were accepted in part by A Level Boards from this year - this was received with enthusiasm. |
| 1983 | Stoke Rochford the venue, 'A Quest for Excellence' the title. Art and Drama advisers were invited to begin to discuss the project 'Lets make a Masque' to coincide with the 1985 conference - this to include cross-curricular class-based activities and supported by commercial sponsorship. 'A special one-day conference was held on 'Music and Early Childhood at the GSMD. The ABRSM led now by a former MANA chairman adopted some suggestions to change details in the local practical examination system. Regional conveners were asked to research the membership about what was happening in music education around the country and the SC Secondary Schools report, computers and electronic keyboards, European Music Year (1985) were discussion topics. MANA was producing a framework of good practice to recommend to the Curriculum Panel. |
| 1984 | Ripon. 16+, computers, the training of orchestral musicians and the arts in schools were topics for consideration. Links with advisory teachers were discussed again and ABRSM and TCM offered school-based grade examinations.Two one-day conferences were held in London and Manchester. A group of northern LEAs received a letter from MANA expressing concern over the possible non-replacement of their music adviser.MANA was involved with the Curriculum Panel in Aesthetic Development , 16+, profiling and assessment. |
| 1985 | Back to the capital this year. Low turn out. 'Lets make a Masque' at the Royal Opera House a great success. 3 works chosen from 96 entries. AATEM and ESTA provided input at conference. |
| 1986 | Oxford. 'Assessment and Progression' and 'Music 5-16' (DES) were discussed. Advisory teachers in some numbers attended especially in the multicultural musical experience. 'Careers in Music' was launched. A one-day conference on Music and pupils with special needs,and funding from the European Music Year towards the 'Masque' were significant features. |
| 1987 | Weekend conference in Leamington Spa which set the scene for conferences to the present day. On one of the days a separate event for a wider audience was included - this time on Special Needs. The 'Arts in Schools' Project, Music in TVEI and GCSE resources were discussed. 7 panels or working groups now set up or in course of preparation (GCSE, Curriculum, MANAMAG, Conference Evaluation, Conditions of Service, Eligibility, Conservatoire Liaison) Throughout the regions discussions were held on Assessment and Progression. |
| 1988 | Return to Ripon this year. 'Music and the Arts in the State School Curriculum' was the theme. MANA defended the music curriculum in schools especially in projects in Wolverhampton and Berkshire on 'Project Bridgebuilder'. Trade representatives were invited for the first time this year. Membership was broadened and Music Advisory teachers and Heads of Instrumental Services were invited to conference. Discussion ranged over the paucity of music courses at national level, the proactive nature of the association, and the new GCSE examination. |
| 1989 | A Welsh venue - Llandudno - on the sea front no less. Weighty topics such as 'Creativity and the learning processes across the curriculum' were balanced by discussions on welcoming staff from Music services to the association. 'Notes for School Governors' was launched. Sponsors included Silver Burdett, Yamaha and Dawsons. Reform of the Education Act required discussion around targets in music.Liaison with UKCMET, PRS and the British Music educators conference continue this year. 'Composers in Education a main theme. |
| 1990 | Nantwich focussed on the voice and vocal music. Michael Brewer an eminent vocal trainer from Manchester provided input as well as the choir to sing the winning competition entry for the pre-annual dinner grace. Members of the Music National Curriculum working party were present and other discussion ranged around music funding and the National Curriculum. The regions discussed the impact of LMS, staff shortages and regional representation on the Executive. |
| 1991 | 'Achievement in Music' the title this year for 140 delegates in Poole. A final response to the Curriculum Music Working Party was given and discussions included LMS, GMS and financial support for music services including in London the recent demise of ILEA (and its music provision) and the disappearance overnight of other services around the country. MANAFILE (reference file on the association and music matters) with sponsorship from business was launched. The association opened its membership to all advisers in all areas of music education including those not directly linked to LEAs. A new communication network through MANAFILE was proposed. The Chair had met with the Minister of State, written an article in the TES, and was involved in the NFER Report on Music Services. SEAC requested and was nominated 2 MANA members to its Music Committee. |
| 1992 | MANA celebrates its GOLDEN JUBILEE in Bristol which included a special anniversary concert in the Colston Hall. Music is established this year, as a legal requirement within the National Curriculum. Leon Crickmore, retiring HM Staff Inspector for Music, received emeritus membership. |
| 1993 | A 'Common Purpose Group', comprising MANA with other music organisations, produces a joint statement about the current state of music education and set-up a research project completed by MORI and Coopers and Lybrand. The association seeks closer collaborative partnerships with other associations and organisations concerned with music education. |
| 1994 | In collaboration with the Music Education Council (MEC), the association organises a joint one-day event held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall during the Festival of Music for Youth. The conference, entitled Funding and Providing High Quality Music Education', includes contributions from politicians and other national figures in education as well as a phenomenal range of music activities from schools throughout the country. |
| 1995 | The association appoints its first professional officer (part-time). A regular 'Postbag' is produced for members and a major publication 'Instrumental Teaching and Learning in Context' is launched at conference in Oxford. also produced is a Guideline for the Inspection of Instrumental Music' |
| 1996 | A momentous year, during which AATEM joins forces with MANA and when, at its conference in Solihull, the association receives a clear mandate to alter the constitution - to broaden its membership - and to change its title from MANA to NAME. Another publication 'Notes for Governors' is also launched at conference.Region 4 (London) in conjunction with external funding through the National Festival of Music for Youth and Commercial Union Insurance, produces a publication for guidelines in teaching music at Key Stage 3 ('In the right key') - believed to be the first regional publication under the banner of the association. |
| 1997 | The association works closely with OfSTED to set-up joint training courses for music inspectors and with SCAA (now QCA) to produce Key Stage 1 and 2 - Expectations in Music' material. The latter is launched at conference in Bournemouth. |
| 1998 | The association continues its collaboration with other major organisations, meeting regularly with the Music Masters and Mistresses Association (MMA) and with the Federation of Music Services (FMS). A joint publication with FMS - 'A Common Approach' (A Framework for Instrumental/Vocal Teaching) - is launched. Regional meetings and conferences attract a growing a wider membership, which include classroom teachers and corporate bodies in the music industry, to NAME. |
| 1999 | NAME enhances its profile through launching the NAME magazine, published twice yearly, alone with professionally designed and printed 'Postbag' NAME's regular newsletter. The NAME Website is also launched and members with immediate access to new information and a forum for the exchange of views. The Standards Fund dominates the thinking of NAME members involved with Music Services. |
| 2000 | In this first year of the new millennium NAME developed a growing level of influence with national bodies and was awarded a major grant from the DfEE to develop NAME's Website as part of the national grid for learning. The Regions become more active as the years pass, with well attended conferences and meetings and regional convenors becoming the lynch pins of regional activity. In view of our steadily increasing membership we have instigated key contacts for each area of interest and expertise, for example in instrumental teaching, secondary and primary classroom work, higher education, student teachers, advisers, inspectors and so on. The National Conference for 2000, 'Creative Solutions', was in Bath and brought together both research and practice, reflecting our growing membership of teachers in both schools and Higher Education. Our latest publication based on a very practical research project, Composing in the Classroom, was launched at the conference. |
| 2001 | The collaborative work established in previous years continued. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) became more embedded in music education across all phases and NAME continued to work closely with organisations such as BECTa and Ofsted. Further collaborative work with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) took place with new qualifications accredited for those engaged in music education and UCAS points awarded for graded music examinations, which now formed part of the Qualifications Framework. Focus groups for particular interest groups of members started to meet regularly covering Advisers and Inspectors; Curriculum (with sub groups for primary, secondary and instrumental/vocal); Initial Teacher Training; Higher Education; and a Corporate group. |
| 2002 | NAME continued to work closely with other organisations and government bodies, often behind the scenes on steering groups and advisory bodies. Members contributed to an updated version of ‘A Common Approach,’ which was recognised internationally and to A Survey of LEA Music Services, which showed that the Music Standards Fund was being used effectively. NAME was also represented at the newly established National Music Education Forum. |
| 2003 | NAME contributed to various government consultations about music and the arts, and continued to work closely with other organisations. Many NAME members were involved in the Wider Opportunities pilot programmes, set up following a government manifesto commitment that, over time, all pupils in primary schools would have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. The results of these pilots gave rise to considerable optimism about possible new directions for instrumental teaching. NAME was also involved in the professional development of Advanced Skills Teachers and the inclusion of music as a separate specialism within the specialist college framework – both important new initiatives. Following the success of publications such as “Composing in the Classroom” a decision was taken to develop this aspect of NAME's activities. A Publications Officer was appointed and a planned programme of publications devised. "How are you doing?" had been launched at the 2002 conference and three Information Bulletins were published during the same year. In 2003 two further Information Bulletins were published along with "Bluebirds and Crows" which focused on singing. This was launched at the 2003 conference which was held in Staffordshire; one of its highlights was a memorable keynote speech by John Paynter. |
| 2004 | 2004 was the year of the ‘Music Manifesto’ launch at Abbey Road Studios with guests ranging from Royalty to Fergal Sharkey and including NAME as one of the signatories. The government pledged more funding support for music and the scene seemed rosier than usual for a time. NAME maintained significant involvement in support of classroom teaching, ‘Wider Opportunities’, the KS3 Strategy Music Pilot, and invested heavily in ICT in Music in conjunction with the Schools Music Association. Working closely with the DfES and Becta, the first Lead Consultant for ICT in Music was appointed, managed by NAME through the National Music Management Group. On-line and other materials were produced for KS3 and KS2 and other initiatives included an ‘On-line day’, the Becta ICT in Music Newsletter and regional conferences for ICT in Music. The Annual Conference, for the first time for many years, was back in London at the impressive Hilton Docklands. The main publication of the year, “Music in, ideas out”, was launched and was distributed to every school as part of the government's ICT Strategy. Other NAME activities included conferences for Advanced Skills Teachers, discussions on the 14 – 19 Curriculum, the new OfSTED Framework of Inspection, the General Teaching Council, National Music Council and many others. |
| 2005 | NAME continued its involvement in various national initiatives: the work of the Music Manifesto under the Manifesto "champion" Marc Jaffrey, the Music Pilot of the Secondary National Strategy (formerly the Key Stage 3 Strategy), the QCA Futures agenda, the Standards Fund working party, and many more. Once again, NAME was asked by the DfES to organise national conferences for Advanced Skills Teachers (ASTs) and the work of the Lead Consultant for ICT in Music, managed by NAME, continued. The publication of NAME's first Occasional Paper, on the use of PPA time (Planning, Preparation and Assessment), was brought about by the response of some primary schools to this aspect of Workforce Remodelling. This threat to primary music was counterbalanced by the national roll-out of the Wider Opportunities programme which resulted in some exciting developments in whole class instrumental teaching. NAME's national conference was held at The Sage Gateshead. It included an inspirational keynote address from Howard Goodall and the launch of NAME's new book on transition between phases - "Rites of Passage". |
| 2006 | The year started with a great shock and much sadness due to the untimely death of Derek Kitt (Chair 2004-05) in whom we lost an irreplaceable source of knowledge and support. NAME has been involved in several important consultative exercises: the QCA KS3 Review, the Key Stage 3 Strategy pilot project for Music, the DfES Subject Association Working Group, the Music Manifesto, the GTC (General Teaching Council, and the Training and Development Agency (TDA) Standards Review. Another successful AST conference (funded by the DfES) was held in June and a further year’s contract with BECTA was secured for the work of the Lead Consultant for ICT in Music. New initiatives included negotiations to take over the management of the SMART project (a website supporting music teacher educators and funded by the TDA), and possible partnerships with higher education institutions in TDA-funded CPD modules. Links have been developed with the National Association for Music in Higher Education and the Scottish Association for Music Education. NAME plans to become a member of EAS (European Association for Music in Schools) and ISME (International Society for Music Education). A Regional Development Officer has been appointed with a focus on recruitment. This year’s book “No Need for Words” reflected the theme of the national conference held at Warwick University which was music with special educational needs. |
| 2007 | We began the year with the process of applying for charitable status and, in order to do so, setting up the Association as a company limited by guarantee. Our EGM in February authorised us to proceed but unfortunately some delays to the process meant that we could not complete it at the AGM although a resolution authorising the change was passed. We ran another successful conference for Music ASTs in Birmingham in July, with a record attendance of 93 delegates. The Subject Resource Network website for those involved in ITE is now up and running and a conference was held in May to determine how to take this project forward. Our National Conference looked at how music education can celebrate the ability of everyone to make music, and this was reflected in our latest book,” Ways Into Music”. Our Regional Development Officer has advised us on marketing and membership and has undertaken some useful research on our behalf. However, membership has remained stable, and we are continuing to develop further strategies. NAME has been active in a number of significant projects and initiatives which have significant implications for our Association. The TDA pilot project, which we are leading with MEC, will develop CPD through online and distance learning, resulting in significant developments to the NAME website. We are one of a consortium of subject associations led by CfBT Education Trust, which is developing materials to support the introduction of the new KS3 curriculum and we have appointed a National Subject Lead (NSL) for this project. NAME is involved in the new Council for Subject Associations which will promote our role, initially by developing a package for primary schools and we have contributed to the Curriculum Partnership’s Primary Project Box. We are represented on the advisory board of Sing Up and we are moving forward in discussions with other music education organisations about how to collaborate more effectively. |
