Articles

Here are links to articles in UK and International media. Click on a title to download it.

Press Articles

Private School Magazine — The WOW! Factor — October 2019
The government's National Music Plan calls on schools to deliver a high quality music education to their pupils, insisting that every pupil should have the opportunity to learn an instrument and make music with others.

Music Teacher — Finding World Music Closer to Home — January 2019
When we think about world music we often imagine the music of far away exotic places, steeped in centuries of tradition and custom. However, some music is centred far closer to home.

Teach Primary — Steel Pan Lesson Plan — 2019
We are all aware of the impact the slave trade had on the world, but hidden among the stories of hardship, sacrifice and deviance is the fascinating history of how steel pan bands were born.

Music Teacher — International Perspectives — January 2018
We all have memories of how we were taught music when we were at school, and some will of course be happier than others. But how much do we know about how music is taught in other cultures around the world?

Conference and Common Room — Whole Class Teaching — January 2018
African Drumming has always been popular in schools as a one-off workshop option and it has also been shown to transfer very well into whole class weekly ensemble lessons.

Music Teacher — SEN Skills and Experience — January 2017
Music has a solid reputation among non-music teachers from a variety of backgrounds, although the extent to which its power is fully realised can be variable.

Practical Pre-School — Music and Emotional Balance — December 2016
The Bambajam Pelangi, from a company called Drums for Schools, was awarded a Practical Pre-school Gold Award, and it already has many fans in nurseries.

SENCO — Let your Musicality Flourish — October 2016
SENCos – those priceless cornerstones of pedagogy – know that music-making opportunities facilitate broad, holistic learning access to all topics.

Music Teacher — Buddying Up — July 2016
It's hard not to feel enthused when talking to Andy Gleadhill. His passion for percussion is infectious and his latest, possibly most innovative book, Percussion Buddies, aims to make learning and teaching this branch of music that much easier.

Prep School Magazine — The Benefits — April 2016
Many private preparatory, junior and pre-prep schools are justifiably proud of the quality of the music education that they provide.

Music Teacher — Global Teacher Training — January 2015
I am on my way back from SK Medini school, which is just outside Johor Bahru in the south of Malaysia, just over the border from Singapore.

Montessori International — Music Makes Sound Children — December 2014
Andy Gwatkin, director of music specialists Sound Children and Drums for Schools explains why everyone should be making music.

Music Teacher — Classroom Carnival — July 2014
We all know samba as the national music of Brazil, powering its spectacular carnival parades. Samba music is typified by walking-pace beats, by accentuated offbeats and by the use of the 'clave' rhythm.

SAME Magazine — Taking it to the next level — Summer 2014
However good our teaching may be and however inclusive, to be really effective it also needs to be rigorous, have depth and link intelligently with other music lessons and with the general school syllabus.

Private School Magazine — Music to our ears — Spring 2014
We started Drums for Schools seriously back in 2005. I'd always been interested in instruments that were easy to play and non-exclusive.

Creative Steps — Making Music Together — Autumn 2013
What are the most important things for Early Years professionals to remember when they are running music sessions? Expert annA rydeR explains how you can do it – even if you think you can't!

Private School Magazine — Why Teach Music To Young Children — Autumn 2013
Alongside these important recent developments in brain research, music educators are still learning by observation about the unique relationship between musical training and academic ability.

Private School Magazine — Panning for Music — Spring 2013
Young people love to make music and as a music teacher, my goal is to make this as easy and enjoyable as possible for them.