Facilitator:  Sam Dixon

There is a growing body of evidence that correlates academic success with musical learning.  Head teachers are seeing dramatic improvements in results, as a direct result of children learning an instrument.  Feversham Primary Academy in Bradford, was recently featured in the Guardian as having been 'transformed' since integrating 6 hours of music a week throughout the curriculum, based on the Kodaly approach. Science is revealing that music is a universal feature of cognition. More examples of the positive effects of music throughout a whole school are reported in this video at www.musichelpsuslearn.co.uk

Whether preparing assemblies, running after school clubs, taking a differentiated recorder group or simply used to refocus and energise a class, music is an invaluable tool for all staff.  So how to increase the amount and/or quality of music available for ALL within your curriculum, as well as offering instrumental visiting music teachers?

Sam Dixon has 20 years experience in the primary setting. She can show you how to set up your own ukulele band (learning as you go), lead a bucket drumming troupe, use the solfege technique to improve your choir's pitch, demonstrate a selection of successful digital resources and get ambitious results with the youngest children by utilising the right approach.

SCHOOL INSET FEE: £460 plus expenses

INDIVIDUAL FEE FOR SCHEDULED EXTERNAL COURSES: £90 per person

Sam Dixon's dynamic approach to music in the early years has grown from a diverse background in Opera and Musical Theatre after her Performing Arts Degree.  She currently teaches class music from Nursery to Year 5 at Brighton College, where she continues to build an impressive Pre-Prep music department.

She is passionate to improve the status and quality of early years music tuition.  Her enthusiasm rubs off whether teaching class music, leading choirs, organizing concerts, services or directing school shows.   A published children's composer with Barefoot books, her songs can be found on-line in video and download form.

She regularly writes educational articles for Teach Nursery, Teach Primary and TES magazines.  Her curriculum and approach are spot-lighted in the publication ‘Music in Independent Schools’ by Bernarr Rainbow and Andrew Morris.

Aims of the workshop:

To suggest new material, ideas and resources

To develop general teaching approaches

To motivate and improve current skills

Singing

A look at appropriate material for various age ranges– and how to use it

Introducing Sol-fa

1

Instruments

Setting up a bucket drumming troupe

And/Or

How to start a Beginners Ukulele band

3

Requirements for school INSET:  Large Space e.g. hall,

piano/keyboard, whiteboard with powerpoint and internet provision

(buckets/ukuleles provided!)

​​Joao Paulo Fernandes

Luke Andrew Scowen

Cathy Caspersz