24/01/2008
The Music Manifesto campaign is still going strong but sometimes it's useful to take stock and celebrate our successes so far. Click here to read all about our achievements and read on to hear from some of our supporters.
Join the discussion and let us know what you think, and where the Manifesto should go next.
"The triumph of the Music Manifesto is in putting singing back on the school agenda and providing resources and training for teachers."
Howard Goodall, Singing Ambassador
"In my opinion, one of the Music Manifesto's main achievements so far is making teachers like myself feel they can have an impact in government policy. Being involved in the Music Manifesto's Partnership and Advocacy Group has enabled me to voice the concerns and celebrate the successes of teachers like myself working in classrooms in Newham."
Aimee Gardner, Music AST
"The Music Manifesto sought to draw together musicians and educators to promote the value of music for the benefit of our young people. A measure of its success is the value of the investment I have seen from the DCSF, local authority and schools in the music education of the young people in Croydon."
Graeme Smith, Croydon Music Service
"For me, one of the Manifesto's greatest achievements to date has been the way it has begun to change thinking across the music education and learning sector. That change in thinking is for some still to begin and for others maturing into changes in practice and better opportunities for young musicians. What is going to be really exciting is seeing it all develop in increasingly innovative and meaningful ways. The Manifesto's Partnership and Advocacy Group will be key to supporting and championing this."
Nick Howdle, Sound Connections
''For me, one of the biggest achievements of the MM has been to act as a spur and, through its own declarations on the importance of music and its workforce, to give 'permissions' for many varied practitioners to speak together and with pride about their vital contribution to the lives of all children and young people.
"In turn, this is restoring professional pride to our workforce and encouraging many to think (and act) big about their role in ensuring young people's creativity is nurtured and the UK's creative capacity enhanced.
"It is hard to quantify this achievement, even to speak about it, but I see it in the comments, actions and faces of our musical workforce and it makes me feel very proud to have been their champion and hopeful about the future. Sure, we have serious challenges facing us, but we also now have a sense of hope, possibility and belief in our capability that I don't think was embedded three years ago.''
Marc Jaffrey, MM Development Director