FMS Annual Conference 2011
The FMS Conference on the 17th and 18th June was a packed event – packed with delegates and packed with content. During the two days young musicians from across the North West injected extra energy, passion and inspiration amongst the speeches and practical sessions and reminded delegates of the impact and importance of their work in changing lives and in ensuring our musical future.
Marcus Du Sautoy started the conference with an examination of the ‘art of sounding mathematics’ and later Dick Hallam (National Music Education Grant Director) gave an update from the DfE. This was followed by a choice of 10 workshops and masterclasses covering a wide, and highly topical, range of subjects all aiming to help make sure that Music Services are ‘Fit to Face the Future – Fit to Shape the Future’. Sessions were provided by: Bates Wells and Braithwaite; Laura Drane; Gigajam; Music For Youth; Voices Foundation; Yamaha. Expertise was drawn from the Membership and a number of Heads of Services contributed greatly to the creation and delivery of many of the workshops and masterclasses.
The FMS Music Education Hub Toolkit was launched at the conference and a delegates could attend a masterclass on hub modelling. Throughout the conference delegates had access to an exciting range of highly relevant trade exhibitors.
Day two, was the FMS Conference ‘Partnership Day’ and Music Services were joined by delegates from other organisations. Gavin Stride’s speech on partnerships took a personal view on the benefits and challenges of creating and working in partnerships. Susanna Eastburn and Laura Gander-Howe from Arts Council England discussed Bridge delivery organisations and the relationships between Music Services and Arts Council organisations.
The issue of transition was discussed by Adrian Chappell who updated the conference on the work of Musical Bridges and delineated a clear role for Music Services in supporting transition. Mark Phillips (HMI National Advisor for Music) gave the latest information from Ofsted and presented information about how a widening of the inspection remit will impact on Music Services.
A partnership showcase from Claire Lovett at Spitalfields Music and from Chris Finn of Curious Minds (the North West Arts Council Bridge) provided direct information and context for partnership projects. The final conference sessions gave delegates a choice of ‘Rising with the Tide Training’ with Andy Hind or participating in a facilitated discussion of ‘Ensuring Quality’. The conference also featured 3 ‘In Conversation’ sessions sponsored by ABRSM and covering pedagogy, partnerships and using music in work with young people at risk. Once again most of these sessions had key input in their creation and delivery from the Membership.
I hope that the conference images and presentations will help give a flavour of the 2011 Conference ‘Fit to Face the Future - Fit to Shape the Future’. http://www.thefms.org/the-fms/professional/conferences/.
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