Teaching Notes - MTA Podcast - Ep.124 - Ed Watkins, Laura Bendy, Julian Whittaker, RuthAnne

Send us a textIn Episode 124, Patrick chats to Ed Watkins about his recent article, shining a light on disproportionately low grades for otherwise high-achieving music students at A Level (1:02).Laura Bendy and Julian Whittaker introduce the new Members’ Area of the MTA website, and the first webinar of the academic year (13:38); And Grammy- and Brit-nominated singer-songwriter RuthAnne discusses the song-writing process, including a focus on the psychology of song-writing, and tips to overcome writer’s block, as featured in her book “It’s Not Just A Song” (19:37).Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects https://elementalmusic.app/blog/music-a-level-gradinghttps://www.musicteachers.org/events/online-events/https://www.fabermusic.com/shop/its-not-just-a-song-p472066https://www.instagram.com/thisisruthanne/?hl=enhttps://www.redlightmanagement.com/artists/ruth-anne/© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 123, Patrick chats to Dr Kirsty Devaney and Dr Ed McKeon about the project Time Loops, run by the Science Museum Group, using old music technology in new and innovative ways, with Key Stage 3 resources to bring it into the classroom (0:57).Alys Wilding introduces a new ECT Secondary Music Network, being set up by Birmingham City University, to support ECTs nationwide (17:13).And Elliot Broadbent-Jones and David Kirtlan give an overview of the range of resources and support provided by Albion Computers, including an iPad Student Band (27:33).Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects TIME LOOPShttps://blog.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/time-loops/https://www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/projects/time-loopsTime Loops KS3-4 Resources: https://sciencemuseumgroup.iro.bl.uk/uv/uv.html#?manifest=https://sciencemuseumgroup.iro.bl.uk/concern/generic_works/4567c9bc-e049-46ca-a7e4-228cce8b2c47/manifest&config=https://sciencemuseumgroup.iro.bl.uk/uv/uv-config.jsonECT SECONDARY MUSIC [email protected] COMPUTERShttps://[email protected]://elsiumeducation.com/david-kirtlan/© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 122, Patrick meets Dr Elizabeth Stafford and Dan Francis, to talk about their new book, 'The Secondary Music Leader's Handbook' (0:48).Classic FM presenter Ritula Shah introduces the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards (deadline for entries is 20th July 2025!) (15:54).And Jazz musician, author and educator Buster Birch chats about methods of teaching improvisation, why he doesn't use lead sheets, and his incredible online resource, 'Learn 2 Play Jazz' (24:40).Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects https://collins.co.uk/products/9780008759834classicfm.com/music-teacher-of-the-year-2025https://www.ritulashah.com/https://www.learn2playjazz.com/https://www.busterbirch.co.uk/© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 121, Patrick meets Leanna O’Brien, from the Soaring Scarves Academy in California, who teaches music using movement and scarves, to help students really internalise great works by Tchaikovsky and Grieg, amongst others (0:43)We also meet the new MTA President, James Manwaring, to find out about him as a musician and teacher, and to see what he hopes to achieve in his tenure as MTA President (19:56). And outgoing MTA President Catherine Barker has a message for all music teachers (35:40).Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://soaringscarvesacademy.comhttps://manwaringmusic.blog/about-me/#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a text2025 MTA CONFERENCE SPECIALIn Episode 120, Patrick visits the 2025 MTA Conference, held at Trinity Academy, Bristol. He meets ABRSM Chief Examiner and Jazz trumpeter Mark Armstrong, to find out more about Mark’s CPD session, ‘Jazz in the Classroom’ (04:31), and chats to Founder and President of MusicFirst, Dr Jim Frankel, about his Key Note speech, ‘The Impact of AI on Music Making and Learning’ (22:12).Plus, Patrick chats to various exhibitors at the Trade Fair, including representatives from Aspire Organs, Sing Up!, Coach House Pianos, Trinity College London, and Viscount Organs.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.Mark Armstrong: https://www.rcm.ac.uk/research/people/details/?id=02730Dr Jim Frankel: https://www.musictechhelper.com/about-mewww.aspireorgans.co.ukwww.singup.orgwww.coachhousepianos.co.ukwww.trinitycollege.comhttps://viscountorgans.nethttps://www.musicteachers.org/events/mta-conference-2025/ #CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a text2025 MTA CONFERENCE PREVIEW In Episode 119, Patrick chats to Liz Dunbar and Asha Bishop about the crucial balancing of creativity and academic rigour at Key Stage 3 (1:08).And composer, arranger, singer, conductor and jazz musician Alexander L’Estrange discusses ways to get your choir to swing (15:46)!Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://musicdepartmentresources.comhttps://www.alexanderlestrange.comhttps://www.musicteachers.org/events/mta-conference-2025/ #CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 118, Patrick chats to composer Rilla Paterson about her compositions for young voices, designed to help children with sight-reading; plus the importance of notation.Julian Whittaker introduces the MTA’s free ‘Mock Interview’ service, for members applying for a new job, to have a practice interview with an experienced Head of Music.Plus, Jack Laidlaw, James Tuck, and Dustin Ragland explain the range of products and services provided by Ableton, including Live, Push, and Move. Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.http://rillapaterson.comhttps://childofthefuture.comhttps://www.musicteachers.orghttps://www.ableton.com #CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 117, Patrick chats to Dr Jonathan Savage about significant changes in the world of Music Education, the relationship of Music Hubs with schools, and new BBC Bitesize resources.And the MTA’s Head of Growth and Operations, Caroline Robinson introduces the 2025 MTA conference, including the CPD sessions, the mentoring and training, the keynote speakers, and details of tickets.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://www.ucanplay.org.uk/https://tinyurl.com/JonathanSavagehttps://www.musicteachers.org/events/mta-conference-2025/#CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a textIn Episode 116, Patrick is joined by Maria Thomas from The Music Workshop Company, to find out about their range of schools workshops, including historical music, and a very interesting workshop using cutlery!Editor of Gramophone Magazine, Martin Cullingford, tells Patrick all about the Survey ‘Growing Musicians, Shaping Lives’, aiming to find out about music teachers’ day-to-day lives in the profession.And Mark Aitchison tells Patrick all about the European Day of Music in Schools, which enables teachers to watch videos of music-making from schools all over Europe.Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://www.music-workshop.co.ukhttps://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8151878/Growing-Musicians-2025-surveyhttps://eas-music.org/eudamus/© Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org

Send us a text~ 2025 MUSC & DRAMA EXPO SPECIAL ~In Episode 115, Patrick visits the 2025 Music & Drama Expo, to attend CDP sessions, and chat to exhibitors about new Music Education products. Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu introduces SymphoMe, which uses AI to help give students detailed feedback on their performances in between lessons. (1:08)Award-winning Jazz pianist, composer and educator Nikki Yeoh shares some of her steps to teaching improvisation, and to help students (and teachers!) overcome the fear! (5:28)Dr June Fileti, MD of the International School of Musicians, chats about their new approach to performance assessment, allowing students to choose their own repertoire. (16:40)Rachel Hawker, Director of Education at Rocksteady Music School, chats about her CPD session, ‘The Power of Games to Supercharge Children’s Musicality’. (25:21)And, Heart FM presenter Simon Beale chats about the Music & Drama Education Awards, which he hosted, and about his love for 80s music. (36:17)Presented and produced by Patrick Johns.https://symphome.comhttps://www.gsmd.ac.uk/staff/nikki-yeohhttps://www.internationalschoolofmusicians.orghttps://www.rocksteadymusicschool.comhttps://www.heart.co.uk/radio/shows-presenters/simon-beale/http://musicanddramaeducationexpo.co.ukhttps://musicdramaedawards.com/MDEA2025/en/page/home-page #CanDoMusic #GetPlaying #SaveOurSubjects © Music Teachers' Association www.musicteachers.org