This week almost 1,000 children in Key Stage 2 started their world-music First Access Programmes with our team of workshop facilitators. We also have a further 2,190 children starting their online world-music First Access Courses with us. We are very aware that across the U.K. First Access Programmes look very different, are varying lengths and have differing objectives, expectations and outcomes. We deliver First Access Programmes on behalf of several different Music Hubs and have to adhere to their aims and fit in with their local model for other instrumental First Access Programmes. Despite these variants, are there common themes, core principles and musical skills, expected knowledge that should be covered in a world-music First Access Programme?
When discussing using percussion instruments within EYFS settings, we've frequently heard Early Years practitioners say things like ‘we don’t use them much as percussion instruments are too loud’, ‘we don’t have the space’, 'we only use them occasionally for music circle time’, ‘we don’t know how to use them or what they’re called’ or ‘we think most of our instruments are broken or too big’. In response, our facilitators usually give the following top tips for using percussion in EFYS settings effectively…
This September marks the 15th anniversary of Inspire-works and it’s got us being very reflective about what we do, why we do it and what should we be doing! At our Facilitators Training Day on Friday we asked ourselves the question, "What skills does a workshop facilitator need this academic year?"
