Primary music specialist, Paul Russell, gives his opinion on music and singing in education.
From the moment I started teaching I have witnessed the empowerment that music and singing offers children. Shy, inhibited students can develop and flourish into confident and focused characters determined to learn and excel in education.
I believe it is vitally importance to invest in a music specialist in primary education. Having a professional who is able to make music accessible to all enriches the curriculum and brings the arts to the forefront of school life.
The key to enabling inclusion in music lessons is to not set any boundaries for failure. Using written text for teaching songs can be restrictive and exclusive. Asking pupils to create movements for each line of the lyrics allows for open expression and ownership of the material. It also offers children a physical model in which they can practice with one another outside of the classroom.
Music has become a truly universal language throughout the school I work in London. There is a need for increased inclusion and confidence amongst the pupils; a music specialist like myself can definitely aid this. Not only that, it demonstrates music as a vital ingredient for learning.
Do you agree with Paul’s words? Let us know by posting your comments!
Paul visited my classroom in the South Bronx and brought musical joy. Working in a low income area my school does not have a music program. If only we did! I totally agree with Paul and would add that there is nothing like a group of children singing confidently in unison. One of my fondest memories from elementary are the plays the music teacher put on! A specialist should be a requirement in all schools.
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I am a drama teacher who has also worked in London and whole heartedly agree with the above view point. Music together with all the arts gives an oulet for students to gain confidence and expression. Good to know there are teachers of a similar mind set!
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I completely agree with Paul. Singing is a universal language which is vital in supporting the development of children. As a primary classroom teacher I sing daily with my children and have seen how this lifts their spirits and helps them to connect with one another. Singing requires no equipment and can be done anywhere; it is a flexible tool which can be constantly utilised.
To sing for the joy of singing allows children to step away from those boundaries which Paul speaks of, and which are often a potential barrier in other subjects, and this builds up their self esteem. By having a music specialist at my own school we are able to embed music into the curriculum and ensure that all children have the opportunity for creative freedom of expression.
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I totally agree with Pauls comments, he sounds an amazing and fantastic teacher who should be an example to all others. If only more teachers had this attitude to their pupils attainment wow!
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Having been fortunate enough to be provided with a music education at an early age I can see the positive effects it had on my self esteem and childhood as a whole. Children today are bombarded with technology and “easy way outs” and with funding for the arts in all school systems being cut at alarming rates- its disconcerting to think about the children of today growing up without an arts background. It is imperative that children be well rounded in their education and sadly that is not the case in many places around the world. Music education is vital and Pauls comments are a stark reminder of how easily music education can help shape a childs future.
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My school is definitely a happier place since a music specialist joined the ranks. It is wonderful to hear children’s voices raised in song in assemblies, in the playground, on the bus during school trips. Our annual school musical is a great success & looked forward to by children & adults. So many children who don’t exel academically or are normally shy, display a new-found confidence & pride when their musical talents are allowed to flourish. A child I work with, who used to have real self-worth issues, is now a confident, bubbly young person who rushes to choir rehearsals with a big smile.
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What an insightful article and perspective – the importance of a primary music specialist has been to shown to improve confidence and inclusion in all aspects of primary education, which leads to better performance in the classroom. Having a professional who is able to make music accessible to all enriches the curriculum and brings the arts to the forefront of school life as a vital ingredient in the making of a successful institution. Hopefully headmasters and administrators can take this important perspective in-board and seize the opportunity to drastically enrich the educational experience of their students.
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It’s great that Paul thinks that every school needs a music specialist, but what about all the teachers that Sing Up has empowered through it’s Song Bank and training?
As a non-specialist, I used to find the idea of teaching music really scary, as although I used to play the piano, I hadn’t for a long time. Our music specialist was only in for one day a week, so I went on a course to get confident, and slowly went through some of the magazines to look for some easy piano music I could practise.
Now I’m more confident, and sometimes even play in assemblies. If the specialist was in more often, I never would have taken up the piano again, and my class certainly wouldn’t be singing every day as they do now!
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This is such a thoughtful and compelling approach. I admire Mr. Russell’s pedagogical insights here, because I have seen the long-term results. As a College-level instructor of music history and culture, I see the outcome of all kinds of early/primary school music instruction. My students (even at an older age) often have a great passion for music, but many are timid in terms of articulating their ideas and demonstrating concepts. When I speak to the students who are outspoken, daring, imaginative, and highest achieving they all have one thing in common — they can name a music teacher who has made a difference in their lives. A teacher who let them try new things without consequence but who also ultimately opened their eyes to the way music works. More educational “policy” should reflect these ideas.
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I am a very frustrated teacher. I am a Music primary specialist but there are very few jobs out there in this specific field, any that do exist are too far from home to travel to. I am good at teaching Music, I have done it for 5 years now as a secondary and primary teacher and now I want to work as a Music specialist in a primary school. I know many teachers are afraid of teaching Music, therefore I do not understand why headteachers don’t get a specialist Musician in. Hopefully one day my dream job will become available closer to home.
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As a Primary music specialist (some Music Service and some independent) with a portfolio of 7 diverse schools in both urban and rural areas, I can attest to the worth of good quality primary class music 3-11 years.
I am not discounting the impact of confident singers, many of whom have emerged due to the Sing Up programme; in my local area I have run courses for SIng Up to empower people who lacked confidence to use their voices, and their schools are reaping the benefits.I firmly believe that singing is the foundation of good musicianship and can inspire children and adults together.
However, Music Specialists teachers are immersed in music their whole working week and beyond – and, unlike General Subjects teachers, we don’t have to contend with planning and delivery of quality lessons over the whole primary curriculum, although we topic-link music where we can. Our whole focus and all of our energies go on the music, and I think it really does make a difference. Children develop a “can do” attitude and the skills to realise their ideas.
Unfortunately, budgets are tight these days ( “it’s either you or the Library Service”…), but Headteachers who have experienced a good Music Specialist in their school recognise that it is money well spent.
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specialisation means equiping the individual with skills necessary for effective teaching of the subject.specialist in music in schools is an important asset.
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You’ve got great insights about confidence training, keep up the good work!
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