The UK Association for Music Education: Music Mark
LightNews LightNews
banner
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The UK Association for Music Education: Music Mark
@musicmarkuk.bsky.social
100 followers 30 following 100 posts
Advocating for high-quality music education for all children and young people.
Posts Replies Media Videos
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Music Mark team wish you a Happy New Year! 🥳

Our team will be returning to the Music Mark Office from tomorrow, Friday 2nd January, when we will start responding to any enquiries 📧

Here's to another year of supporting, connecting, and influencing on behalf of the music education sector! 🥂
Happy New Year from the Music Mark team, we look forward to supporting you and the music education sector in 2026! The Music Mark logo is top right. An image of fireworks is in the background, and star illustrations line the bottom of the image.
January 1, 2026 at 10:01 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Music Mark team wish you all a merry Christmas! 🎄

The Music Mark Office will be closed from Wednesday 24th December and we will be back from Friday 2nd January 2026 ❄️

We hope you all have a lovely break, and we look forward to supporting the sector in the new year! 🎉
Merry Christmas from the Music Mark team, we hope you have a restful break! The Music Mark logo is top right. A photo of wrapped gifts under a Christmas tree is in the background. A row of illustrated Christmas trees line the bottom of the image.
December 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The final #MusicMarkPodcast episode of season one is now live, and it's our Christmas special! 🎄

Learn more about the Music Mark team as we share our highlights from 2025, what's coming up next year, and our all-important fave biscuits! 👀

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
December 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Last but not least, Katie was the third guest speaker on episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast 🎧

It was brilliant to hear her passion for increasing access to instrumental music making, and about how Young Sounds UK create opportunities for young people 📣

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. KATIE WALKER. Episode 10: Access to Instrumental Music Making. SPEAKER PROFILE. Katie is the Programme Producer North for the Connect programme at Young Sounds UK. She has been with Young Sounds for two years. Before that, Katie was Head of Music at a West Yorkshire school for 17 years. She also currently works as a vocal teacher and choral leader. @YoungSoundsUK. A photo of Katie (white woman, blonde shoulder length hair) is top left.
December 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Need some lesson plan inspiration? Check out A Common Approach! 👀

It's a free online resource supporting music educators in their teaching practice & in developing a holistic approach to music education (with 15 different curricula to draw from) 🎶

🔗Take a look: www.musicmark.org.uk/a-common-app...
Looking for ways to diversify your curriculum? Check out A Common Approach! Including: Latin American Percussion, Djembe, Tabla, Digital Audio Workstations. MUSIC MARK A COMMON APPROACH. An illustration of maracas, a Djembe drum, and a pair of headphones feature on the right.
December 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
It has been a year since Music Mark welcomed MusicHE into our membership and it has been a busy one! 🎓

Learn more about our current projects, advocacy work, and how to get involved with our new HE Conference and Research Shorts series 👀

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/support...
2026 UPCOMING HIGHER EDUCATION EVENTS. 15 Jan - Higher & Further Education Peer Group. Meet with colleagues working across Further and Higher Education to share best practice, discuss challenges, and support departmental excellence through collaboration and peer support. 18 March - Beyond Enrichment: Rethinking Music and Employability. A virtual session exploring how to strike a balance between championing music’s transferable skills and simultaneously advocating for music as a discipline in its own right. 6 May - Laying the Pipeline: Past, Current and Future Progression Routes to Higher Education. Our first Higher Education Annual Conference will provide an opportunity for colleagues to discuss the role of higher education as a vital part of the wider music education ecology. Check out our 'Supporting Music at Higher Education' blog to learn more about our current Higher Education projects, our advocacy work, and upcoming opportunities! The Music Mark logo is top right.
December 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Hear how 3 organisations are breaking down barriers & creating more opportunities for young people to access music education 📣

Chris from Future Talent spoke about the power of collaboration & partnership work in widening access for more young people 🤝

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We were lucky enough to hear from Dr Jo Yee Cheung on the latest episode of our #MusicMarkPodcast 🎧

Jo is the first musician in her family, and talks passionately about supporting young people who may not encounter musical opportunities otherwise 📣

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. DR JO YEE CHEUNG. Episode 10: Access to Instrumental Music Making. SPEAKER PROFILE. Jo is a British pianist, music educator, and Chief Executive of Olympias Music Foundation – an award-winning charity which empowers young people and communities in Manchester through music. In 2023, Jo was made an Associate Member of the RNCM (ARNCM) and named one of the ‘RNCM50 Faces’. @OlympiasMusic. A photo of Jo is top left.
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by The UK Association for Music Education: Music Mark
singupfoundation.bsky.social
How are Music Education Hubs exploring music as an intervention for children's mental health? Our Joint Head Baz Chapman shares insights from this year's Music Mark conference, plus a sneak peek at our State of Play report. @musicmarkuk.bsky.social  https://f.mtr.cool/rbmsbxarvk (link in thread 👇)
PERSPECTIVES Optimism and Opportunity: Reflections from the Music Mark Conference
What’s the feeling around Music Education Hubs about singing and music making to support mental health & wellbeing? Baz Chapman attended the Music Mark Conference in Nottingham in November to find out.It was great to be able to join Sing Up colleagues and attend the Music Mark Conference, to represent the Sing Up Foundation and to be a panellist for a session on Wellbeing in Schools. Music Mark is the membership body for music education in the UK,
f.mtr.cool
December 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We are celebrating the pupil and parent music clubs at Westgate Hill Primary (delivered by Newcastle Music Service!) 👏

The clubs invite pupils & parents to learn side by side, fostering strong family connections while celebrating cultural diversity 🪘

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/celebra...
"There’s something deeply fulfilling about seeing the bond between parent and child strengthen through learning an instrument. Every week, I’m reminded of how music has the power to break down barriers, whether they are linguistic, cultural, or generational. The smiles on their faces when they play their first song or when they work together to figure out a tricky chord are moments I’ll treasure." Jack Mylchreest. Music Tutor from Newcastle Music Service.
December 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
In our #ResearchShorts, we caught up with Dr Ida Knutsson about her research exploring musical development and social inclusion in small-group instrumental teaching 🎷

Ida examines balancing social and musical aims, peer learning, and motivation ⚖️

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/researc...
“I have found that while teachers perceive musical development and social inclusion as distinct, they strive to integrate both in their teaching, with the argument that they can be mutually beneficial. The potential risks and benefits of the suggested strategies for differentiation must be considered, and each teacher’s didactic choices are key for creating an optimal learning environment for all pupils.” Ida Knutsson, PhD researcher & violinist. A photo of Ida (white woman, blonde hair, blue eyes) is centre right.
December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
This conference will provide an opportunity for colleagues to discuss the role of higher education as a vital part of the wider music education ecology 🎓

We invite abstract proposals (no more than 250 words) for workshops, papers & themed sessions 📣

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/call-fo...
THE FIRST IN-PERSON HIGHER EDUCATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE WITH MUSIC MARK WILL BE IN MAY 2026! We are looking for submissions to include in the Higher Education Conference. Themes may include but are not limited to: outreach and engagement, student recruitment (home and international), graduate outcomes, the skills agenda, employability, devolved curricula and entry requirements. Deadline: 30th January 2026. An illustration of a speakerphone is bottom and centre.
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast tackled access to instrumental music making for those from low-income backgrounds 🎧

Katie (Young Sounds UK) encouraged the sector to invest in mentoring, work experience & signpost to opportunities beyond free lessons 📣

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Bridget reflects on how we view the year in three ways - the calendar year, the financial year, and the academic year 🗓️

For the Music Mark team, November seems to be a closing point in all three, with our Annual Conference and AGM now complete 💼

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/bridget...
Bridget Whyte, Music Mark CEO, clapping at the podium on stage at the Music Mark Annual Conference 2025.
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Hear how organisations are breaking down barriers to accessing instrumental tuition in episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast 👀

Chris of Future Talent shares his passion for ensuring all young musicians can achieve their potential, whatever their background!

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. CHRIS GUENAULT. Episode 10: Access to Instrumental Music Making. SPEAKER PROFILE. Chris is Senior Relationship Manager at Future Talent, where he supports young musicians and alumni through tailored development opportunities, mentoring, and partnerships that help remove barriers to music-making. He also leads on new initiatives to expand Future Talent’s reach and impact. @FutureTalentUK. A photo of Chris (white man, brown hair, black glasses) is top left.
December 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Paul Robeson Ambassadorship Scheme allows undergrads at @cardiffunimusic.bsky.social to undertake widening participation & outreach activities 🎶

It's allowed the university to engage with schools & to have a positive impact in local communities 🙌

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/cardiff...
"Working with many schools with widening participation backgrounds helps to address their key curricula and resource objectives as well as our own... A huge portfolio of partnerships has consequently emerged, not only with educational institutes but with refugee groups, nearby community projects and organisations for people with visual impairment and neurodiversity." Dr Cameron Gardner, Senior Lecturer in Music at Cardiff University. The Music Mark logo is top right.
December 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast is now live! 🎧

We discussed how low-income backgrounds might create or perpetuate barriers for young people to get involved with and pursue music, with a particular focus on instrumental tuition 🎷

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Discover our exciting programme of Training & Events for Spring 2026! 👀

With sessions designed for professionals in leadership roles, supporting roles, teachers, and those in Higher & Further Education, there are plenty of opportunities 🥳

🔗Take a look: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/discove...
Our Spring Term 2026 programme of Training & Events is now live! From inclusive teaching, to PR and communications support, to assessment, higher education, and everything in between! MUSIC MARK. SUPPORTING, CONNECTING, INFLUENCING. Illustrations of flowers and leaves fill the background.
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Applications are now open for the @londonsymphony.bsky.social Conservatoire Scholarships Programme! 🎓

It is open to postgraduate instrumentalists of any age or nationality, who meet their eligibility criteria 🎻

🔗Check the eligibility criteria & apply here: www.lso.co.uk/learn-and-di...
Photo shows eight young people sat/stood outside. One holds an accordion whilst another holds a violin, and another a viola. Photo credit: Kevin Leighton.
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Take a look at our Annual Review to find out how we have been supporting our members and the wider music education sector 🎶

Read our reflections from the year, and find out how we plan to continue to support, connect and influence in the future 📣

🔗Take a look: www.musicmark.org.uk/resources/mu...
Our Annual Review for the academic year 2024/25 is live! Highlights include: 130 training & event sessions; advocating for music education by liaising with government officials and supporting partnerships; much more! An illustration of a computer screen with the Music Mark Annual Review 2024/25 is centre right. The Music Mark logo is bottom right.
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments makes it easier than ever for disabled musicians to find the right instruments for their needs 🎹

It aims to show what is possible and signpost disabled musicians/their families to support & advice 📣

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/inclusi...
The CMPSR in action. Photo credit: Youth Music.
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Tiny Voices, a collaborative project between @traffordmusic.bsky.social & SpeechWise, was developed to enhance speech, language, and communication skills in babies and toddlers through music 🎶

We spoke to the leaders of the project to learn more! 📣

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/tiny-vo...
“The Tiny Voices workshop has given me inspiration to offer more music into my setting. Lots of fun ideas and wonderfully presented.” Attendee at the Bright Futures Childminders Roadshow & Conference.
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
In the final issue of our Reflections on the Ofsted Update, we have addressed the inspection process in more detail 📋

Learn what inspectors want to know about the leadership of music, the curriculum entitlement for every pupil, and how they might gather evidence 📣

🔗Read more: buff.ly/ypOiWZv
The renewed Ofsted framework. What do music educators need to know about inspection? SWIPE TO FIND OUT. An illustration of colouring pencils is across the bottom of the image. 1. "No more deep dives". The way inspectors will gather evidence will not be through the deep dive methodology. An illustration of a clipboard and magnifying glass is bottom right. 2. The Education Inspection toolkit details how inspectors will gather and consider evidence and the underpinning research. For curriculum and teaching, this can be found on page 19 of the toolkit. 3. In Early Years, particularly, teachers do need to know what children can do musically, but do not need to take photos. READ OUT BLOG TO LEARN MORE. An illustration of a camera with a line drawn across it is bottom right.
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
At our #MMConference25 Dinner, we unveiled the winners of the 2025 Music Mark Awards! 🏆

This year’s awards spotlighted the incredible achievements of our members who are driving forward inclusivity, sustainability, digital innovation & more! 🥳

🔗Find out more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/the-202...
Photo shows the Lancashire Music Hub team holding their Digital Project of the Year Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025. Photo shows Sam Stimpson holding her Talk Into Action Inclusion Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025. Photo shows Natalie Abel holding her Unsung Hero Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025.
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
If you enjoyed our live #MusicMarkPodcast yesterday, why not check out some of our previous episodes? 👀

In episode 9, we discussed all things music and mental health, and were lucky enough to hear about Alex's research in this area! 🧠

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/?_gl...
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. ALEX THEOPHILUS. SPEAKER PROFILE. Alex is a third-year PhD Candidate at the Royal College of Music in London. His research examines how young men engage in music and its impact on their mental wellbeing using semi-structured interviews and survey research. His research is funded by the London Arts & Humanities Partnership. A photo of Alex (white man, blue t-shirt, wearing sunglasses) is top left.
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM