Bristol Voices is currently part of the DCSF funded National Singing Programme which aims to make every primary school a "singing school".
Development of the school workforce is an essential step toward realising and sustaining this ambition.
A chorister outreach visit and schools concert can be a great way to boost singing in your school and participation in the chorister outreach programme (COP) normally involves having a choral animateur work in your school to provide help, guidance and some teacher development opportunities. This year, all teachers who work with us will receive supply cover in order to attend the SingUp Conference South West at the Colston Hall on 3rd February, where they will be able to take part in a conducting master class with David Ogden. They will also receive an invitation to attend evensong at the cathedral where they will be able to observe Mark Lee taking a rehearsal and talk to the choristers about their work.
Perhaps the most significant benefit of COP is in raising aspirations. Bristol Voices is very keen to work in schools that receive little other help with their singing and we sincerely hope that raised aspirations will create an appetite for more and better music in your school!
Once aspirations are raised, how do you sustain the momentum? For children who are particularly keen, there are the Bristol Voices Junior Choirs, membership of which opens the possibility of audition for further, more advanced choirs. For schools and teachers, there is currently SingUp's workforce development strand. Why not consider the PGCert (Mus Ed.) an ideal in-service qualification for the primary school music co-ordinator that is worth one third the credit of a full MA? This significant qualification is now available free of charge through SingUp! Contact your area leader, who is Laurie Gethin.
Alternatively, the Voices Foundation offer excellent development programmes for whole schools or individuals. Their courses are not free, but study for the PGCert (Mus Ed) is free to teachers registered on Voices Foundation courses.
Read about how you could gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Music Education.
