The UK Association for Music Education: Music Mark
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musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The UK Association for Music Education: Music Mark
@musicmarkuk.bsky.social
98 followers 30 following 93 posts
Advocating for high-quality music education for all children and young people.
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musicmarkuk.bsky.social
In our #ResearchShorts, we caught up with Dr Ida Knutsson about her research exploring musical development and social inclusion in small-group instrumental teaching 🎷

Ida examines balancing social and musical aims, peer learning, and motivation ⚖️

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/researc...
“I have found that while teachers perceive musical development and social inclusion as distinct, they strive to integrate both in their teaching, with the argument that they can be mutually beneficial. The potential risks and benefits of the suggested strategies for differentiation must be considered, and each teacher’s didactic choices are key for creating an optimal learning environment for all pupils.” Ida Knutsson, PhD researcher & violinist. A photo of Ida (white woman, blonde hair, blue eyes) is centre right.
December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
This conference will provide an opportunity for colleagues to discuss the role of higher education as a vital part of the wider music education ecology 🎓

We invite abstract proposals (no more than 250 words) for workshops, papers & themed sessions 📣

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/call-fo...
THE FIRST IN-PERSON HIGHER EDUCATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE WITH MUSIC MARK WILL BE IN MAY 2026! We are looking for submissions to include in the Higher Education Conference. Themes may include but are not limited to: outreach and engagement, student recruitment (home and international), graduate outcomes, the skills agenda, employability, devolved curricula and entry requirements. Deadline: 30th January 2026. An illustration of a speakerphone is bottom and centre.
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast tackled access to instrumental music making for those from low-income backgrounds 🎧

Katie (Young Sounds UK) encouraged the sector to invest in mentoring, work experience & signpost to opportunities beyond free lessons 📣

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Bridget reflects on how we view the year in three ways - the calendar year, the financial year, and the academic year 🗓️

For the Music Mark team, November seems to be a closing point in all three, with our Annual Conference and AGM now complete 💼

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/bridget...
Bridget Whyte, Music Mark CEO, clapping at the podium on stage at the Music Mark Annual Conference 2025.
December 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Hear how organisations are breaking down barriers to accessing instrumental tuition in episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast 👀

Chris of Future Talent shares his passion for ensuring all young musicians can achieve their potential, whatever their background!

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. CHRIS GUENAULT. Episode 10: Access to Instrumental Music Making. SPEAKER PROFILE. Chris is Senior Relationship Manager at Future Talent, where he supports young musicians and alumni through tailored development opportunities, mentoring, and partnerships that help remove barriers to music-making. He also leads on new initiatives to expand Future Talent’s reach and impact. @FutureTalentUK. A photo of Chris (white man, brown hair, black glasses) is top left.
December 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Paul Robeson Ambassadorship Scheme allows undergrads at @cardiffunimusic.bsky.social to undertake widening participation & outreach activities 🎶

It's allowed the university to engage with schools & to have a positive impact in local communities 🙌

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/cardiff...
"Working with many schools with widening participation backgrounds helps to address their key curricula and resource objectives as well as our own... A huge portfolio of partnerships has consequently emerged, not only with educational institutes but with refugee groups, nearby community projects and organisations for people with visual impairment and neurodiversity." Dr Cameron Gardner, Senior Lecturer in Music at Cardiff University. The Music Mark logo is top right.
December 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Episode 10 of our #MusicMarkPodcast is now live! 🎧

We discussed how low-income backgrounds might create or perpetuate barriers for young people to get involved with and pursue music, with a particular focus on instrumental tuition 🎷

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Discover our exciting programme of Training & Events for Spring 2026! 👀

With sessions designed for professionals in leadership roles, supporting roles, teachers, and those in Higher & Further Education, there are plenty of opportunities 🥳

🔗Take a look: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/discove...
Our Spring Term 2026 programme of Training & Events is now live! From inclusive teaching, to PR and communications support, to assessment, higher education, and everything in between! MUSIC MARK. SUPPORTING, CONNECTING, INFLUENCING. Illustrations of flowers and leaves fill the background.
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Applications are now open for the @londonsymphony.bsky.social Conservatoire Scholarships Programme! 🎓

It is open to postgraduate instrumentalists of any age or nationality, who meet their eligibility criteria 🎻

🔗Check the eligibility criteria & apply here: www.lso.co.uk/learn-and-di...
Photo shows eight young people sat/stood outside. One holds an accordion whilst another holds a violin, and another a viola. Photo credit: Kevin Leighton.
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Take a look at our Annual Review to find out how we have been supporting our members and the wider music education sector 🎶

Read our reflections from the year, and find out how we plan to continue to support, connect and influence in the future 📣

🔗Take a look: www.musicmark.org.uk/resources/mu...
Our Annual Review for the academic year 2024/25 is live! Highlights include: 130 training & event sessions; advocating for music education by liaising with government officials and supporting partnerships; much more! An illustration of a computer screen with the Music Mark Annual Review 2024/25 is centre right. The Music Mark logo is bottom right.
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
The Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments makes it easier than ever for disabled musicians to find the right instruments for their needs 🎹

It aims to show what is possible and signpost disabled musicians/their families to support & advice 📣

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/inclusi...
The CMPSR in action. Photo credit: Youth Music.
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Tiny Voices, a collaborative project between @traffordmusic.bsky.social & SpeechWise, was developed to enhance speech, language, and communication skills in babies and toddlers through music 🎶

We spoke to the leaders of the project to learn more! 📣

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/tiny-vo...
“The Tiny Voices workshop has given me inspiration to offer more music into my setting. Lots of fun ideas and wonderfully presented.” Attendee at the Bright Futures Childminders Roadshow & Conference.
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
In the final issue of our Reflections on the Ofsted Update, we have addressed the inspection process in more detail 📋

Learn what inspectors want to know about the leadership of music, the curriculum entitlement for every pupil, and how they might gather evidence 📣

🔗Read more: buff.ly/ypOiWZv
The renewed Ofsted framework. What do music educators need to know about inspection? SWIPE TO FIND OUT. An illustration of colouring pencils is across the bottom of the image. 1. "No more deep dives". The way inspectors will gather evidence will not be through the deep dive methodology. An illustration of a clipboard and magnifying glass is bottom right. 2. The Education Inspection toolkit details how inspectors will gather and consider evidence and the underpinning research. For curriculum and teaching, this can be found on page 19 of the toolkit. 3. In Early Years, particularly, teachers do need to know what children can do musically, but do not need to take photos. READ OUT BLOG TO LEARN MORE. An illustration of a camera with a line drawn across it is bottom right.
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
At our #MMConference25 Dinner, we unveiled the winners of the 2025 Music Mark Awards! 🏆

This year’s awards spotlighted the incredible achievements of our members who are driving forward inclusivity, sustainability, digital innovation & more! 🥳

🔗Find out more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/the-202...
Photo shows the Lancashire Music Hub team holding their Digital Project of the Year Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025. Photo shows Sam Stimpson holding her Talk Into Action Inclusion Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025. Photo shows Natalie Abel holding her Unsung Hero Award at the Music Mark Awards 2025.
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
If you enjoyed our live #MusicMarkPodcast yesterday, why not check out some of our previous episodes? 👀

In episode 9, we discussed all things music and mental health, and were lucky enough to hear about Alex's research in this area! 🧠

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/?_gl...
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. ALEX THEOPHILUS. SPEAKER PROFILE. Alex is a third-year PhD Candidate at the Royal College of Music in London. His research examines how young men engage in music and its impact on their mental wellbeing using semi-structured interviews and survey research. His research is funded by the London Arts & Humanities Partnership. A photo of Alex (white man, blue t-shirt, wearing sunglasses) is top left.
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Voice for Youth is a youth-led programme organised by Sheffield Music Hub - the aim is to create a space where young voices are not just heard but help shape real decisions 📣

See what’s already been put in place based on youth feedback 👀

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/voice-f...
VOICE FOR YOUTH. Youth-led decision making. Real outcomes for real voices. Empowering young leaders. Sheffield Music Hub. The photo shows four young people in conversation.
November 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Check out #ResearchShorts to explore embedding participation & learning within orchestral institutions 🎻

Dr Axel Petri-Preis' research is relevant for orchestras, education and outreach departments, community music organisations, and policymakers 📣

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/researc...
"“Learning and participation managers act as cultural intermediaries, balancing artistic values with social aims. They face institutional barriers but develop strategic, often diplomatic practices to promote inclusion, learning, and organisational transformation within traditionally hierarchical orchestral structures.” DR Axel Petri-Preis. Professor of Music Mediation & Community Music. A photo of Axel (white man, dark brown hair and facial hair, wearing glasses) is centre right.
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Explore how music education organisations can reduce travel emissions with examples from @leicsmakemusic.bsky.social & Waltham Forest Music Service 🚗

The turntablism project is a scalable, sustainable model that other music services can learn from! 🎧

🔗See more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/how-mus...
"From turntablism projects alone, we estimate over 5,000kg of CO2 emissions have been saved. The model has allowed us to reach more pupils and classes—especially in rural areas—while upskilling teachers and embedding long-term capability in schools. Its success led to increased demand, prompting expansion of our music tech team, while also freeing senior staff to focus on strategic development." Leicestershire Music. The Music Mark logo is top right.
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We caught up with @makingmusicuk.bsky.social to learn more about what their members do 🎶

Hear how leisure-time musicians can benefit from music-making over their lives in terms of social connection, health and well-being, and in their careers 📣

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/how-can...
"The participants in these groups... represent the future for 95% of the young people you have in front of you now, who will not choose to make music their professional life. They are great role models: showing that music is for life, whatever your technical ability, whatever kind of music you love, and that it is for everyone." Barbara Eifler, Making Music Chief Executive. A photo of Barbara (white woman, brown eyes, short grey hair) is bottom right.
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
There are now 2000 schools who have received the #MMofRecognition! 🥳

We loved hearing from Langley Academy, one of the recipients, who shared why music is important in the curriculum and creative life of their school, its impact, and more! 📣

🔗Read more: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/how-lan...
Langley Academy Primary. Recipient of the Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition and Quality. "For students, the Music Mark of Recognition serves as a source of pride. They feel recognised for their contributions to the school’s musical culture, whether through performances, composition, or simply their participation. It encourages students to take their music education seriously and understand its value both in and outside the classroom." MUSIC MARK of recognition FOR SCHOOLS 2025 - 2026.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We really enjoyed chatting to Rachael from @soundcastleteam.bsky.social in episode 9 of our #MusicMarkPodcast! 🙌

It was brilliant to learn about how music can support mental health, both for young people and music educators themselves 🧠

🔗Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/?_gl...
MAKE YOUR MARK. GUEST SPEAKER. RACHAEL PERRIN. Episode 9: Mental Health & Music Education. SPEAKER PROFILE. Rachael is Co-founder and Creative Director at Soundcastle, a Creative Health charity based in Hastings. Her role is a blend of creative practice and organisational development, and everything Rachael does is about supporting mental health and wellbeing, both within and beyond Soundcastle. @SoundcastleTeam. A photo of Rachael is top left and the Music Mark logo is top and centre.
November 10, 2025 at 12:02 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Check out the interactive Music Mark Annual Review to discover our highlights of 2024-25 👀

Including 130 training & event sessions, welcoming MusicHE into our membership and developing our offer for Higher and Further Education, and much more! 🤩

🔗Take a look: view.genially.com/687fa1b67b10...
Annual Review 2024-25 | Genially
Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!
view.genially.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We recently welcomed HMI Christopher Stevens to present an Ofsted update on music in schools 💡

In this blog we summarise what you need to know, what's new, and your questions answered by Music Mark Schools Manager Abi 📣

🔗Read now: www.musicmark.org.uk/news/reflect...
The renewed Ofsted framework. What do you need to know as a music educator? SWIPE TO FIND OUT. An illustration of colouring pencils is across the bottom of the image. 1. The Education Inspection Framework (EIF) has a renewed approach - not a new approach. The Renewed EIF takes effect from November 2025 and report cards will be introduced from November 2025. 2. The EIF that has been used up until now, and the renewed framework, are designed to evaluate the quality of education in schools. They have never been designed to evaluate the quality of education in individual subjects. 3. 'Striking the right note' and the music research review are still relevant as they make sense of the principles set out in the EIF within the context of music education. READ OUR BLOG TO LEARN MORE. The Music Mark logo is top right.
November 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
Less than 2 weeks to go until our #MMConference25! 🥳

Here are all of the fabulous sponsors and exhibitors you'll meet across the conference - make sure to visit their exhibition stands to collect your stickers for the Exhibitor Bingo! 👀

🔗Learn more: conference.musicmark.org.uk/exhibitors/
November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
musicmarkuk.bsky.social
We can't wait for this brilliant panel discussion at our #MMConference25! 🤩

Learn how our panellists are empowering young people to lead, create, and shape ambitious, high-quality music-making. You'll have the chance to ask questions too! 📣

🔗See more: conference.musicmark.org.uk/schedule/202...
#MMCONFERENCE25 SESSION SPOTLIGHT. AMBITIOUS MUSIC-MAKING DRIVEN BY YOUTH VOICE. Discover how three innovative projects are embedding youth leadership, inclusive tech, and co-creation into music education. Photo shows three speakers in a breakout session at the Music Mark Annual Conference 2024.
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM