04/02/2008
Richard Hallam, head of Oxfordshire Music Service and advisor to the DCSF, has been appointed the government's new Music Participation Director.
Dick will be responsible for working with Local Authorities towards the effective delivery of music provision for young people, in and out of school. He will have a key role in ensuring that authorities and schools across the country are working together, sharing innovative ideas and best practice, and getting the most out of the £332m music education funding.
The news came in a video address from Andrew Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, at the weekend's MusicLearningLive conference at the Sage Gateshead.
Here's Adonis' full speech:
"Good morning to you all and welcome to the Music Learning Live Conference. In light of that title, there's a certain irony in me speaking to you in this way. So I'm particularly sorry that prior commitments prevent me from being with you in person today, but I'm delighted to be able to send this short message.
"Some of the most exciting sessions you will be attending over the next few days, will involve musical performance and participation. But for more than one reason, I won't be able to compete on that front. What I can do however is reaffirm my own, and my department's commitment to the work you all do, at what is a really exciting time in music and music education.
"My own involvement in music has been more as a listener than as a performer. And I'm delighted that what we are doing now will help to develop excellent prospective musicians for the opera and ballet that I so enjoy. But my main interest in music education is a less selfish one. I have seen the effect it can have on children and their education.
"Take for example the Manchester Singing Schools initiative, which will be featuring in this conference, and which I visited in 2006. The scheme covers 95% of Manchester primary schools, providing both training for teachers in the use of singing to support learning and books containing a range of songs - some of which are now being included in the Sing Up resource. What I found particularly impressive about it was the way in which singing was used in numeracy and literacy teaching. The teachers I spoke to told me that they could see marked improvement in their pupils' concentration and attainment as a result of the scheme. And it was evident to me that the whole thing was a lot of fun for teachers and pupils alike.
"It's examples like this one that inform the way that my department views the arts and indeed sport. We share your belief in the incredible power of music, as an art form, as an educational tool, as a means of personal and social development, but more than anything, as a source of huge joy for young and old alike. In December, my department published the Children's Plan, which sets our priorities for the next ten years. In it, we stated our belief that all young people should have the opportunity to get involved in cultural activities, so that they can develop their interests, broaden their horizons, and benefit from the enriching influence on their lives. Whether it be through singing lessons, a football team or a drama club, it is so often the delight of discovering and nurturing a talent that helps a child grow in confidence, enthusiasm and aspiration.
"Of course most people don't measure a government's commitment in warm sentiments, but in hard cash. As the Secretary of State announced before the Children's Plan was published, we are investing £332 million over the next three years in providing musical instruments, improved instrumental and vocal tuition and various music initiatives. And we will continue to work with the partners brought together through the Music Manifesto to make sure that money gets the right results.
"Because it's only with the kind of partnership represented by the Music Manifesto that we can achieve the transformation in music education, and children's lives, that we now quite rightly aspire to. Children and young people already have a whole host of opportunities for education and performance, but no-one can provide the consistency, quality and coverage that we want in isolation. That's why my department will be offering support, encouragement and guidance to Local Authorities in planning their provision of musical education and identifying productive partnerships.
"I'm pleased today to announce that we are appointing Dick Hallam as our Music Participation Director to lead that work. Dick is currently our music advisor and Director of Music at Oxfordshire County Council. He beat off stiff competition from a strong field and I am delighted that we have secured someone with such commitment and dynamism to play this key role in challenging Local Authorities, celebrating their achievements and making sure the best ideas and approaches get applied across the country. I am looking forward to working with him.
"But for now, let me thank you once again for all the inspiration and enjoyment you give to young people in this country, and give you my and my department's best wishes for a fascinating and productive conference."
Andrew Adonis
MusicLearningLive Conference, 31 January 2008