From my experience of training primary teachers, there isn’t a “can-do” attitude as far as music education is concerned. A CD sing-a-long suffices in filling the statutory void of music education in some schools.
Many staff feel that because they aren’t musicians they are not able to teach music. This is elitist nonsense. Music is not rocket science and many teachers love it. Included in Darren Henley’s 36 recommendations in his review of music education this week is a statement demanding an increase in the hours devoted to primary music in initial teacher training. It is not quantity, but quality that counts.
Elaine Sutton, Creative director, Bubbles Music.