Scottish Arts Council - Archive - North Ayrshire Council

Funding via the Youth Music Initiative over the past 3 years has enabled over 6,000 pupils in North Ayrshire to access free music lessons for one year in one of the following disciplines: recorder, percussion, guitar, singing, songwriting and traditional music.

The following projects have been run in North Ayrshire with money received from the YMI formula fund, which distributes approximately 80% of the YMI’s overall funds, providing provision within schools.

Nine primary and seven nursery schools took part in a creative music pilot scheme. The pilot scheme has been such a success that it has been expanded to include 25 primary schools, 38 nurseries and 11 private and voluntary nurseries.

ABC Creative Music has been developed to remove the ‘fear’ factor which has been associated with the teaching of music in the classroom. The programme consists of music, song and movement based journeys which teach basic music skills and creativity. Game-like activities using icons instead of musical notation are used. Rhythmic awareness is taught by using simple shapes.

Songs Of Arran Book; Illustration: Pupils from Arran Primary

The whole class is involved which allows for total inclusion of children of all abilities. It enables every child to play a percussion instrument and to create music. Staff and pupils have found it a fun and enjoyable way of learning music. Many teachers have also found an improvement in listening, concentration, social skills and confidence.

Philip Gosnay, Head Teacher of Dreghorn Primary School, commented: 'Apart from being good fun, ABC music affords pupils the opportunity to become highly participative and creative in the music making. The materials have been used extensively by classes in P1-P3 and staff have been delighted by the level of motivation and enthusiasm shown by the children.'

ABC Creative Music will prove to be a lasting legacy within the Authority. YMI funds have allowed North Ayrshire Council, for the first time, to take a strategic view of music provision within early years and primary schools. Partnership with ABC Creative Music and other agencies within the Authority have proven to be successful.

YMI funding supplied two sets of band instruments. North Ayrshire Music Service supplied the staff. All children in the target group of P6 already had two years recorder via YMI. The whole class had to choose an instrument. No selection processes were used which is a new departure for this Music Service. The projects in both schools Stanley Primary and Moorpark Primary have exceeded all expectations.

The children from Stanley recently were featured at North Ayrshire's annual Head Teachers Conference. The project has been closely monitored by the Head Teachers, the P6 classroom teacher, Music Service Manager and Music Service staff.

All are agreed that this has proven to be almost worthy endeavour and should be continued. The schools report better behaviour, better attendance and pupil attainment levels have increased.

The YMI funds have enabled the Authority to start brass tuition on Arran for the first time. The key to this has been starting in Primary Schools. An Arran Schools Brass Band has now been created in partnership with the well established Arran Brass. Pupils who receive lessons via the brass band have combined with the newly created tuition within schools with the combined band planning a European trip in 2007. The project has been well received on Arran both within the school and the community. The school now also has a viable Wind Band.

Funding for this project was through the Youth Music Initiative and the Rhoda Reid Charitable Trust who support innovative approaches to music education.

Songs Of Arran Book; Illustration: Pupils from Arran Primary

The boys enjoyed a weekend residency at West Linton where they took part in a variety of workshops ranging from samba drums, guitar, singing and a variety of sporting events. The workshops were run by professional tutors and encouraged the boys to try something new. Everyone went home happy and exhausted after an action-packed weekend.

The North Ayrshire Boys Choir was introduced to encourage more boys to participate in extra curricular activities. Music is a wonderful medium for building confidence, meeting new friends and developing skills. Following the residential, weekly rehearsals took place to prepare for a showcase concert. The concert was a wonderful success and the boys performed to a packed audience.

Well received by pupils and schools, the lessons were structured with the tutor using various audio visual aida to progress lessons. As a measure of the success of the guitar project, around 100 students have purchased their own instruments since Year 2. Students are able to perform at assemblies in school and the project has exceeded original expectations.

Working with teachers and classroom assistants to help them master guitar for use primary classes. 150 Primary 5 children also undertook a year long guitar course.

The percussion project has been well received in all schools. Head Teachers report that the children are well engaged and are enjoying the lessons. The pupils are able to perform both within the school and the community.

An inclusive music programme piloted in two North Ayrshire primary schools. Primary 6 pupils at Moorpark Primary and Stanley Primary School were given the opportunity of learning to play flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and percussion. The initiative was a whole class activity and has involved pupils taking weekly lessons and daily band practices.

Children achieved in six months what other pupils have taken 18 months to master. This pilot project has been so successful that another five schools will be involved from September 2006 with one school concentrating on string tuition.

Traditional songwriters from The New Makars Trust worked with the seven primary schools on the Isle of Arran to produce a specially commissioned cd and book on how the children felt about life on Arran.

Arran schools received a series of visits from professional songwriters with whom children could explore the rich Island heritage. The Robert McLelland Festival was a launch pad and base for the project. Taking inspiration from the writings of McLelland, children put their own spin on island life. Artwork by the children was used in the book and the songs covered wide and varied themes on Arran life. These images are used throughout this article.

This book written by Instrumental Teacher Jim Walsingham has been a valuable teaching tool for classroom teachers. Pitch, Rhythm, Melody and Harmony are explored and class teachers are encouraged to participate in lessons. A backing CD, Teacher's Guide, and Piano Parts and Pupil's Pack make this a very accessible and easily managed project. Improvisation is also explored.

The recorder is an excellent tool to allow children to explore the world of music. There are no problems in setting up the instrument and no problems with embouchure. Hand eye coordination, an essential part of development in young people is also covered.

Working with a professional songwriter, children in three Irvine Primary Schools have written and produced their own cds Let’s All Write a Song and ……and they wrote it on curriculum based topics and songs for fun! All children in class are engaged in this very creative process. A CD was produced in Year 2 and in June 2006. This has been a most successful project and will continue as long as funding available. Many elements are used by the children and the skills learned are transferable to the class.

If you would like to find out more about music in North Ayrshire, visit the North Ayrshire Council website. You can find also find out more on formula funding.

For more information about the Youth Music Initiative, visit the YMI section of our website.

North Ayrshire Council

An overview of YMI in schools