The History of NAME

The history of NAME is long and distinguished and there are significant milestones by which the development of music education in the UK can be traced. In 1996 the formation of The National Association of Music Educators resulted from an amalgamation of MANA (The Music Advisers National Association) and The Association for the Advancement of Teacher Education in Music (AATEM).

In June 1942 and the war-torn gloom of that year, Dr Charles Hooper of Bradford, both Inspector of Schools for Bradford and also Music Adviser, arranged for the first annual conference of MANA to take place in London assisted by Cyril Winn, HM Staff Inspector for Music at the Board of Education. Eleven people attended along with representatives from the BBC. Items on the agenda in 1942 were: the musical training of teachers, instrumental playing in schools and where was the money to be found for developing music education.....what price progress!

Highlights in the Development of the Association

1943-1946 Board of Education resolves to encourage LEAs to appoint more Music Advisers. Music HMIs urged to achieve some parity with Art and P.T. (!)
1947 Music Advisers National Association formally established. Chair: Edmund Priestly of West Riding; Secretary: Dr Hooper; Executive member: Cyril Perfect of Northumberland.
1948 Discussions with BBC to supplement the teaching of music in schools through 'Adventures in Music' and 'Singing Together'. Dame Ninette de Valois and Eric Blom invited to address conference. First steps in developing a nation-wide instrumental teaching service through LEAs.
1949 'Some suggestions for the teaching of music in schools' published.
1950 Conference topics included were: Music with movement and dance; the supervision of music students on teaching practice and the musical qualifications of classroom teachers.
1951-1952 Main threads for discussion included the deployment of music specialists in primary schools. Only 5% of students at training colleges were studying music. Contributors included Bernard Shore, Ruth Railton (National Youth Orchestra), Reginald Thatcher (Principal of the RAM) and John Friend (Principal of the new Bretton Hall College).
1953 Dorothy Adams-Jeremiah (Monmouthshire) became Chair.
1954 The association was represented at the UNESCO conference on music education in Brussels. Allegedly, music education in Britain came in for criticism for not keeping pace with developments in Europe - namely the introduction of high quality classroom instruments.
1955 Contributors included Dennis Brearley (Secretary of the ISM) and a mass 'play-in' of harmonicas(from Hohner) with a piece by the brilliant young composer, Antony Hopkins.
1956 The agenda included discussions with The Guild of Composers on student compositions. Trinity College of Music hosted one of the days.
1957 The Royal Academy of Music was a focus this year with Sir Thomas Armstrong as Principal taking about the new GRSM course which had graduate equivalent status recognised by London University.
1958 Not to be left out, The Royal College of Music was the venue this year where Sir Ernest Bullock outlined his views on music education and Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams, at one of his last appearances before his death, spoke in support of the Association.
1959 Guests of honour included Sir Arthur Bliss, Bernard Shore, John Horton and Sir Edward Boyle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education. Conference visited the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Kenneth Simpson featured as the newly appointed Head of Music in the Department of Education of London University.
1960 John Horton, Staff Inspector for Music, gave an address on the course of music education over the coming decade. There was concern expressed over the standard of singing in secondary schools and an exposition of the Scottish system of music education.
1961 Conference moved to Cambridge. Items included were 'Music in the Secondary Modern School' and 'Musicianship through Aural Training'.
1962 Success of previous year led to repeat. Peter Maxwell Davies featured in a session on creative work.
1963 Malting House, Cambridge was the venue. Opera in schools, classical and 'pop music for young people, American Marching Bands and music and Music teaching in Czechoslovakia were discussed. A brochure containing the aims and objectives of the association was begun.
1964 Cambridge again and Kenneth returned as guest speaker at Conference. he spoke of the quality and lack of quantity of music teachers particularly in secondary schools.   'Music in the Technical College', 'Music with Handicapped Children', were topics of discussion. Yehudi Menhuin (at Conference Dinner) and Bernard Shore (on the Rural Schools Music Association) were main contributors. The executive talked about eligibility for membership.
1965 Venue: Nottingham. Topics: 'Training of the Musician', 'The Association of Music Organisers in Scotland'. Contributors: Muir Matheson and Arnold Whittall. Executive agreed to an application form which determined eligibility to join and the first association notepaper!! Income Tax relief on membership subscriptions was also raised.
1966 London venue centred on the BBC with sessions on school and adult broadcasting on radio and TV. William Glock and John Hosier were contributors. A new constitution for the association was outlined.
1967 Conference moved to York. HMIs led discussions on 'Future Problems for Music in Education' and 'Planning Music accommodation.Professor Wilfred Mellors discussed 'The scope of School Music' Another session at nearby Bretton Hall was entitled 'Sufficient for School Purposes'. There were long discussions on the many colleagues seeking membership for support and networking. MANA representation on other bodies and the setting up of Panels were important issues.
1968 Still further north in Edinburgh this year - the home of the Chairman. The Scottish Education Department, the Scottish National Academy of Music and Moray House (Local College of Education) were represented. Good practice in choral training was observed in a local boys secondary school. Representation on other bodies was agreed. Support for tax relief on musical instrument purchases for schools was tabled and Membership Secretary was appointed. Representatives of the association were appointed to British Association of Organiser and Lecturers in PE (BAOLPE) and the Talbot Lampson School of Conducting.
1969 70 members attended the conference in Bristol. Topics were: Kodaly method, 'Music for slow learners', a contribution from a music adviser from Arizona, and reports from panels on Music Instrumental Teaching and on Colleges of Music and Music Departments in Colleges of Education. A panel was set up to investigate the structure of Public Examinations in Music. A member had sought the help of the association to help in a matter of duress with his LEA and representation by MANA was made on MTA, BSI, NYO and SMA.
1970 Lancaster. Issues raised were Public Examinations, Instrumental Music, a discretionary fourth year at Colleges of Music and discussions with the DES, the National Association of Drama Advisers and SCAM took place. Conference Secretary post created.
1971 Another first this year of a music exhibition in the venue at Essex University.The Long Island Youth Orchestra played and Dr Herman Regner spent up to five hours with delegates on various aspects of music education. 'Electronics in Music' received an airing.The admission of Advisory Teachers in Music was discussed as was music accommodation in schools. A Civic reception welcomed members to the conference and the Executive decided to meet three times a year.
1972 The Professor of Music at Sussex University was invited to speak. Topics included RoSLA, 'The role of the Adviser in the future', and the establishment of a music umbrella body which became knows as United Kingdom Council for Music Education (UKCMET) which also embraced training.The DES held a three conference on national concerns of the day at which Eric Stapleton represented MANA and a MANA representative was appointed to attend SMA executive meetings. The formal conference dinner was established this year.
1973 William Matthias, David Ward led sessions in Bangor which featured composition and 'Music for Slow Learners'. Membership had increased to 92 and a membership secretary and publicity officer were established.
1974 Scotland - Stirling University. Dr John Paynter (York - Schools Council Project) and Anthony Hedges (York) hosted sessions. Reorganisation of the association took place and clarification of the membership was provided. The TES took interest in music accommodation issues. Eric Stapleton became Honorary Secretary of UKCMET.
1975

Highly significant papers for music education were presented this year by the host Jack Dobbs (Dartington), Robert Witkin (on the 'Intelligence of Feeling') and Sir Anthony Lewis principal of the RAM. Representation now included The Disabled Living Foundation and ESTA. The Music Teacher carried a report on conference and the brochure of the association, its aims and objectives appeared. The training of intending teachers, discussion with the Royal Schools of Music, and  the commissioning of commissioned works were topics for discussion.
1976 Durham hosted this year with contributions from Peter Brinson (Gulbenkian Foundation) and John Hosier (BBC). Executive met additionally in May to discuss conference, sponsorship was explored and the organisation of conference came under scrutiny. Nominations for members of Executive were proposed to come in future from the floor and various means of returning the association into solvency were discussed. The issue of music only available on hire was referred to the MPA.
1977 THE SILVER JUBILEE. 'The Future of Class Music' was a main area of discussion at Saffron Waldon this year. The NFER and Elkin (Publishers) mounted exhibitions. Three Essex teachers made contributions as did Michael Barnes on the Gulbenkian enquiry. Susan Alcock and Eta Cohen gave memorable addresses on 'The Independent Teacher and the LEA'. A Chairman's 'jewel of office' was founded. Membership now tops 100. An important contribution towards 'Music in the Curriculum' was made on behalf of children across the ability range.
1978 'Music within the Curriculum - the way ahead' was the theme in Abergavenny.HMIs featured strongly in the meetings and the secretary of the companion Scottish Association was present.MANA publications were requested from libraries overseas. Regional organisation was discussed.
1979 Matlock. 'Music, A New Assessment' was the theme with Keith Swanwick (author of 'A basis for music education') and Tom Gamble (author of 'Composing, Performing and Listening in the Classroom') as contributors ahead of their time. It was suggested the regional conveners joined the Executive. A representative was appointed to SCAM and Chair of the Curriculum Panel was nominated.
1980 Attention was given to the apparent imbalance in numbers between male and female members of the association. Publications were scrutinised for gender imbalance and positive steps were made to safeguard the rising number of women members.The conference was held in Nonnington, Kent and the main issues for discussion were teacher training, reducing LEA resources, and management training for advisers. The situation in one LEA and supported through the association over charging for instrumental lessons developed into a court case and reached the national press. An outcome was the inconsistency across the country as a whole which remains to this day.(The year 1999 may bring changes....?)
1981 An attempt to adopt a new constitution failed. The conference held in Ayr with themes such as 'The Singing Voice in Education', External Examinations and a look back at Curriculum Paper 16 by Scottish HMI.The Curriculum Panel accepted MANAs music curriculum statement and LEAs received a statement on Instrumental Music Tuition. UKCMET was challenged to consider the effects of LEA funding cuts on music. Chairs of regions became ex-officio members of Executive.
1982 Conference was shared with ISME in Bristol. 'The Singing Voice' was a topic of discussion and the list of eminent speakers failed to attract the usually (by now 122) strong membership to attend in significant numbers. The recession in LEAs was blamed. Job descriptions for Executive officers were proposed and agreed. The post of Vice-Chair became executable from this year.Regions were charged to discuss National Criteria at 16+, the Gulbenkian Report 'The Arts in Schools', the selection of deputies to attend Executive in the place of conveners and the possible local funding of speakers and expenses at regional meetings. Examination Board (ABRSM, GSMD, TCM, LCM) grade successes at A Level were accepted in part by A Level Boards from this year - this was received with enthusiasm.
1983 Stoke Rochford the venue, 'A Quest for Excellence' the title. Art and Drama advisers were invited to begin to discuss the project 'Lets make a Masque' to coincide with the 1985 conference - this to include cross-curricular class-based activities and supported by commercial sponsorship. 'A special one-day conference was held on 'Music and Early Childhood at the GSMD. The ABRSM led now by a former MANA chairman adopted some suggestions to change details in the local practical examination system. Regional conveners were asked to research the membership about what was happening in music education around the country and the SC Secondary Schools report, computers and electronic keyboards, European Music Year (1985) were discussion topics. MANA was producing a framework of good practice to recommend to the Curriculum Panel.
1984 Ripon. 16+, computers, the training of orchestral musicians and the arts in schools were topics for consideration. Links with advisory teachers were discussed again and ABRSM and TCM offered school-based grade examinations.Two one-day conferences were held in London and Manchester. A group of northern LEAs received a letter from MANA expressing concern over the possible non-replacement of their music adviser.MANA was involved with the Curriculum Panel in Aesthetic Development , 16+, profiling and assessment.
1985 Back to the capital this year. Low turn out. 'Lets make a Masque' at the Royal Opera House a great success. 3 works chosen from 96 entries. AATEM and ESTA provided input at conference.
1986 Oxford. 'Assessment and Progression' and 'Music 5-16' (DES) were discussed. Advisory teachers in some numbers attended especially in the multicultural musical experience. 'Careers in Music' was launched. A one-day conference on Music and pupils with special needs,and funding from the European Music Year towards the 'Masque' were significant features.
1987 Weekend conference in Leamington Spa which set the scene for conferences to the present day. On one of the days a separate event for a wider audience was included - this time on Special Needs. The 'Arts in Schools' Project, Music in TVEI and GCSE resources were discussed. 7 panels or working groups now set up or in course of preparation (GCSE, Curriculum, MANAMAG, Conference Evaluation, Conditions of Service, Eligibility, Conservatoire Liaison) Throughout the regions discussions were held on Assessment and Progression.
1988 Return to Ripon this year. 'Music and the Arts in the State School Curriculum' was the theme. MANA defended the music curriculum in schools especially in projects in Wolverhampton and Berkshire on 'Project Bridgebuilder'. Trade representatives were invited for the first time this year. Membership was broadened and Music Advisory teachers and Heads of Instrumental Services were invited to conference. Discussion ranged over the paucity of music courses at national level, the proactive nature of the association, and the new GCSE examination.
1989 A Welsh venue - Llandudno - on the sea front no less. Weighty topics such as 'Creativity and the learning processes across the curriculum' were balanced by discussions on welcoming staff from Music services to the association. 'Notes for School Governors' was launched. Sponsors included Silver Burdett, Yamaha and Dawsons. Reform of the Education Act  required discussion around targets in music.Liaison with UKCMET, PRS and the British Music educators conference continue this year. 'Composers in Education a main theme.
1990 Nantwich focussed on the voice and vocal music. Michael Brewer an eminent vocal trainer from Manchester provided input as well as the choir to sing the winning competition entry for the pre-annual dinner grace. Members of the Music National Curriculum working party were present and other discussion ranged around music funding and the National Curriculum. The regions discussed the impact of LMS, staff shortages and regional representation on the Executive.
1991 'Achievement in Music' the title this year for 140 delegates in Poole. A final response to the Curriculum Music Working Party was given and discussions included LMS, GMS and financial support for music services including in London the recent demise of ILEA (and its music provision) and the disappearance overnight of other services around the country. MANAFILE (reference file on the association and music matters) with sponsorship from business was launched. The association opened its membership to all advisers in all areas of music education including those not directly linked to LEAs. A new communication network through MANAFILE was proposed. The Chair had met with the Minister of State, written an article in the TES, and was involved in the NFER Report on Music Services. SEAC requested and was nominated 2 MANA members to its Music Committee.
1992 MANA celebrates its GOLDEN JUBILEE in Bristol which included a special anniversary concert in the Colston Hall. Music is established this year, as a legal requirement within the National Curriculum. Leon Crickmore, retiring HM Staff Inspector for Music, received emeritus membership.
1993 A 'Common Purpose Group', comprising MANA with other music organisations, produces a joint statement about the current state of music education and set-up a research project completed by MORI and Coopers and Lybrand. The association seeks closer collaborative partnerships with other associations and organisations concerned with music education.
1994 In collaboration with the Music Education Council (MEC), the association organises a joint one-day event held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall during the Festival of Music for Youth. The conference, entitled Funding and Providing High Quality Music Education', includes contributions from politicians and other national figures in education as well as a phenomenal range of music activities from schools throughout the country.
1995 The association appoints its first professional officer (part-time). A regular 'Postbag' is produced for members and a major publication 'Instrumental Teaching and Learning in Context' is launched at conference in Oxford. also produced is a Guideline for the Inspection of Instrumental Music'.
1996 A momentous year, during which AATEM joins forces with MANA and when, at its conference in Solihull, the association receives a clear mandate to alter the constitution - to broaden its membership - and to change its title from MANA to NAME. Another publication 'Notes for Governors' is also launched at conference.Region 4 (London) in conjunction with external funding through the National Festival of Music for Youth and Commercial Union Insurance, produces a publication for guidelines in teaching music at Key Stage 3 ('In the right key') - believed to be the first regional publication under the banner of the association.
1997 The association works closely with OfSTED to set-up joint training courses for music inspectors and with SCAA (now QCA) to produce Key Stage 1 and 2 - Expectations in Music' material. The latter is launched at conference in Bournemouth.
1998 The association continues its collaboration with other major organisations, meeting regularly with the Music Masters and Mistresses Association (MMA) and with the Federation of Music Services (FMS). A joint publication with FMS - 'A Common Approach' (A Framework for Instrumental/Vocal Teaching) - is launched. Regional meetings and conferences attract a growing a wider membership, which include classroom teachers and corporate bodies in the music industry, to NAME.
1999 NAME enhances its profile through launching the NAME magazine, published twice yearly, alone with professionally designed and printed 'Postbag' NAME's regular newsletter. The NAME Website is also launched and members with immediate access to new information and a forum for the exchange of views. The Standards Fund dominates the thinking of NAME members involved with Music Services.
2000 In this first year of the new millennium NAME developed a growing level of influence with national bodies and was awarded a major grant from the DfEE to develop NAME's Website as part of the national grid for learning. The Regions become more active as the years pass, with well attended conferences and meetings and regional convenors becoming the lynch pins of regional activity. In view of our steadily increasing membership we have instigated key contacts for each area of interest and expertise, for example in instrumental teaching, secondary and primary classroom work, higher education, student teachers, advisers, inspectors and so on. The National Conference for 2000, 'Creative Solutions', was in Bath and brought together both research and practice, reflecting our growing membership of teachers in both schools and Higher Education. Our latest publication based on a very practical research project, Composing in the Classroom, was launched at the conference.
2001 The collaborative work established in previous years continued. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) became more embedded in music education across all phases and NAME continued to work closely with organisations such as BECTa and Ofsted. Further collaborative work with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) took place with new qualifications accredited for those engaged in music education and UCAS points awarded for graded music examinations, which now formed part of the Qualifications Framework. Focus groups for particular interest groups of members started to meet regularly covering Advisers and Inspectors; Curriculum (with sub groups for primary, secondary and instrumental/vocal); Initial Teacher Training; Higher Education; and a Corporate group.
2002 NAME continued to work closely with other organisations and government bodies, often behind the scenes on steering groups and advisory bodies. Members contributed to an updated version of ‘A Common Approach,’ which was recognised internationally and to A Survey of LEA Music Services, which showed that the Music Standards Fund was being used effectively. NAME was also represented at the newly established National Music Education Forum.
2003 NAME contributed to various government consultations about music and the arts, and continued to work closely with other organisations. Many NAME members were involved in the Wider Opportunities pilot programmes, set up following a government manifesto commitment that, over time, all pupils in primary schools would have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. The results of these pilots gave rise to considerable optimism about possible new directions for instrumental teaching.

NAME was also involved in the professional development of Advanced Skills Teachers and the inclusion of music as a separate specialism within the specialist college framework – both important new initiatives. Following the success of publications such as “Composing in the Classroom” a decision was taken to develop this aspect of NAME's activities. A Publications Officer was appointed ;and a planned programme of publications devised. "How are you doing?" had been launched at the 2002 conference and three Information Bulletins were published during the same year. In 2003 two further Information Bulletins were published along with "Bluebirds and Crows" which focused on singing. This was launched at the 2003 conference which was held in Staffordshire; one of its highlights was a memorable keynote speech by John Paynter.
2004 2004 was the year of the ‘Music Manifesto’ launch at Abbey Road Studios with guests ranging from Royalty to Fergal Sharkey and including NAME as one of the signatories. The government pledged more funding support for music and the scene seemed rosier than usual for a time. NAME maintained significant involvement in support of classroom teaching, ‘Wider Opportunities’, the KS3 Strategy Music Pilot, and invested heavily in ICT in Music in conjunction with the Schools Music Association. Working closely with the DfES and Becta, the first Lead Consultant for ICT in Music was appointed, managed by NAME through the National Music Management Group. On-line and other materials were produced for KS3 and KS2 and other initiatives included an ‘On-line day’, the Becta ICT in Music Newsletter and regional conferences for ICT in Music.

The Annual Conference, for the first time for many years, was back in London at the impressive Hilton Docklands. The main publication of the year, “Music in, ideas out”, was launched and was distributed to every school as part of the government's ICT Strategy. Other NAME activities included conferences for Advanced Skills Teachers, discussions on the 14 – 19 Curriculum, the new OfSTED Framework of Inspection, the General Teaching Council, National Music Council and many others.
2005 NAME continued its involvement in various national initiatives: the work of the Music Manifesto under the Manifesto "champion" Marc Jaffrey, the Music Pilot of the Secondary National Strategy (formerly the Key Stage 3 Strategy), the QCA Futures agenda, the Standards Fund working party, and many more. Once again, NAME was asked by the DfES to organise national conferences for Advanced Skills Teachers (ASTs) and the work of the Lead Consultant for ICT in Music, managed by NAME, continued.

The publication of NAME's first Occasional Paper, on the use of PPA time (Planning, Preparation and Assessment), was brought about by the response of some primary schools to this aspect of Workforce Remodelling. This threat to primary music was counterbalanced by the national roll-out of the Wider Opportunities programme which resulted in some exciting developments in whole class instrumental teaching. NAME's national conference was held at The Sage Gateshead. It included an inspirational keynote address from Howard Goodall and the launch of NAME's new book on transition between phases - "Rites of Passage".
2006 The year started with a great shock and much sadness due to the untimely death of Derek Kitt (Chair 2004-05) in whom we lost an irreplaceable source of knowledge and support. NAME has been involved in several important consultative exercises: the QCA KS3 Review, the Key Stage 3 Strategy pilot project for Music, the DfES Subject Association Working Group, the Music Manifesto, the GTC (General Teaching Council, and the Training and Development Agency (TDA) Standards Review. Another successful AST conference (funded by the DfES) was held in June and a further year’s contract with BECTA was secured for the work of the Lead Consultant for ICT in Music.

New initiatives included negotiations to take over the management of the SMART project (a website supporting music teacher educators and funded by the TDA), and possible partnerships with higher education institutions in TDA-funded CPD modules. Links have been developed with the National Association for Music in Higher Education and the Scottish Association for Music Education. NAME plans to become a member of EAS (European Association for Music in Schools) and ISME (International Society for Music Education).

A Regional Development Officer has been appointed with a focus on recruitment. This year’s book “No Need for Words” reflected the theme of the national conference held at Warwick University which was music with special educational needs.
2007 We began the year with the process of applying for charitable status and, in order to do so, setting up the Association as a company limited by guarantee. Our EGM in February authorised us to proceed but unfortunately some delays to the process meant that we could not complete it at the AGM although a resolution authorising the change was passed.

We ran another successful conference for Music ASTs in Birmingham in July, with a record attendance of 93 delegates. The Subject Resource Network website for those involved in ITE is now up and running and a conference was held in May to determine how to take this project forward. Our National Conference looked at how music education can celebrate the ability of everyone to make music, and this was reflected in our latest book,” Ways Into Music”. Our Regional Development Officer has advised us on marketing and membership and has undertaken some useful research on our behalf. However, membership has remained stable, and we are continuing to develop further strategies.

NAME has been active in a number of significant projects and initiatives which have significant implications for our Association. The TDA pilot project, which we are leading with MEC, will develop CPD through online and distance learning, resulting in significant developments to the NAME website. We are one of a consortium of subject associations led by CfBT Education Trust, which is developing materials to support the introduction of the new KS3 curriculum and we have appointed a National Subject Lead (NSL) for this project.

NAME is involved in the new Council for Subject Associations which will promote our role, initially by developing a package for primary schools and we have contributed to the Curriculum Partnership’s Primary Project Box. We are represented on the advisory board of Sing Up and we are moving forward in discussions with other music education organisations about how to collaborate more effectively.
2008

After almost two years of hard work, NAME finally becomes a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity and will start trading as the new company from January 2009.   The Association's former officers become Directors and Trustees of the new company, with legal responsibility for stratetgy, finances and operations, and are supported by the Representative Council, whose members - regional and national representatives, focus group chairs, conveners of special interest groups and others - initiate ideas, comment on issues and make recommendations to Directors.   Allied with this was a restructuring of the administrative support network under a Business Manager with increased managerial scope and responsibility to reflect the development in NAME's status and activities.

We continue to work closely with other organisations.  NAME is the only music education member of the Council for Subject Associations (CfSA) and writes the music sections for the new termly publication Primary Subjects, sent to all primary schools in England.   We have worked on the independent Review of the Primary Curriculum led by Sir Jim Rose (ongoing), and have also contributed to the associated Programmes of Learning being produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency (QCA).  We continue to liaise with other music education organisations, such as the Music Education Council (MEC), the Schools Music Association (SMA), the Federation of Music Services (FMS), the Music Music Manifesto Partnership and Advocacy group (MMPAG), Youth Music and those responsible for music within the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT).   The contract with CfBT Education Trust to support the introduction of the new KS3 National Curriculum in music was extended for a second year and we developed music and ICT resources for Becta (the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency).  The Teaching Music website (www.teachingmusic.org.uk) managed by NAME and MEC, and funded by The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), was launched in the summer and over 800 individuals had signed up by November.  The Subject Resource Network (www.music-ite.org.uk), also funded by the TDA, intended to support those working in Initial Teacher Education, is also well used.

In addition to the NAME Magazine and the newsletter, Postbag, we published an Information Bulletin on Assessment, free to members, and a book, Music and the Power of Partnerships, which had the same focus as the natiional conference - partnerships and collaboration.  We also added to our publications list a book originally published by the Birmingham Advisory and Support Service, Music Music and Culture in the Curriculum, written by NAME member, Robert Bunting.

Regular contact with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) was maintained, and the 6th annual AST conference, funded by the DCSF, was held at Bath Spa University.  The annual NAME conference took place in Birmingham at the ICC, with a culminating concert given by the CBSO.  We were invited to participate in the education day held during the London International Music Show (LIMS08) and also had a presence at The Education Show at Birmingham's NEC, MusicLearningLive2008 at The Sage Gateshead, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust music conference, Singposium at Music for Youth's National Festivla and CAGAC's Welsh Music Education Conference 2008 in Cardiff.
2009

Another busy and successful year, in which the main 'project' was the construction of a new website, including a refreshed logo, in order to help NAME deliver more effectively the services expected from a modern subject association, including more user interaction and the facilities to renew membership, purchase publications and to book conference places.   Having collected initial information and reports in autumn 2008, website developers and a project manager were appointed in March and the new website was previewed at the annual NAME conference in September, going live shortly afterwards.

We continued to be active in shaping the future of music education by, for example, taking part in consultations and submissions at various stages of the Rose review of the primary curriculum, started last year, both as part of the Council for Subject Associations and together with MEC.  We were also involved in consultations for the NFER, for Youth Music and for Building Schools for the Future, and took part in discussions round the Ofsted Making More of Music report, released in February.  We provided resources for the DCSF, CfSA, Becta, and CfBT, for whom we also continued to deliver the music section of the support programme round the new KS3 curriculum.  We continued to manage and develop the Teaching Music and Subject Resource Network websites.

As well as various conferences put on by NAME's Regionaql Representatives and Focus Group Chairs, we once again organised a well-received AST conference, funded by the DCSF, held this year at the Royal College of Music in London.  Our popular natiional conference took place at York University (see report here), where we were delighted to welcome John Paynter and his wife to dinner one evening.   As has been the case over the past few years, this year's book Sound Progress:  Exploring musical development, mirrored the theme of the conference.  Earlier in the year an Informatiion Bulletin, Music Education Update:  Your guide to recent developments, was published to pull rogether information about the plethora of initiatives currently under way (for more information see the Publications section on the website).

We also took part in various other conferences, including MusicLearningLive!2009 in Manchester, Trinity Guldhall/Open University's Celebrating Whole Class Instrumental and Vocal Tuition conference in Birmingham and Singposium, also in Birmingham.
2010

After two years of seeking people's opinions, planning and development work, the new website was finally launched at the 2009 conference.  With a new look and a refreshed logo, designed to be easy to navigate and use and provide NAME members with the services required from a subject association, it enabled members, for the first time, to be able to renew membership and buy publications simply, online.   We were particularly grateful to Fran Graham (project manager) and Platform3 (web developers) for the huge efforts that went into producing the new website.  Much effort went in during the year to generating new material for the site and encouraging traffic.

Music education had a very busy year and, in January 2010, the chair, Rob Nash, was able to write:  "In amongst all the meetings and events I have attended representing NAME over the last few months, two things have become evident.  First of all, NAME is a highly respected organisation whose opinion is sought on a wide range of issues to do with music, education and the curriculum.  Secondly, we are right at the heart of the debate around music and music education."

While NAME was able to pride itself on the broadness of the membership and, embracing classroom practitioners, local authority advisers and inspectors, independent consultants, instrumental teachers, workshop leaders and those involved in music education in higher education and initial teacher education (amongst others!), the vast majority of those involved in music education belong to no subject-based organisation.  This provided the association with a huge challenge.  While a wide range of services and publications wre offered to members, membership remained fairly stable in number terms.  To help in addressing this, NAME began a critical review of the range of publications that were provided to members to ensure that services were relevant to the twenty-first century.  The first sign was seen in the new book published to coincide with the 2010 conference on the theme of "Finding the Pupil Voice", which had a new contemporary look, intended to be reflected in future publications.

Much fascinating debate took place within both directors and representative council during the year.  The January Representative council meeting had an extremely stimulating discussion around the current state of the National Curriculum in music and relationships which may or may not exist with the many initiatives that were highlighted in the previous NAME bulletin, Music Education Update.  Regretfully, many of these initiatives disappeared following the May General Election!

During the year NAME was represented at meetings of the Council for Subject Associations, the subject and specialist associations meeting at the General Teaching Council, the Music Industries Association Education Committee and various others.  NAME also had a presence at the Music Learning Live Conference held in Manchester.  NAME was also commissioned by BECTA to produce the music materials for the "21st Century Teacher" project.  Andy Murray, in consultation with a number of others, put together some excellent resources in a very short period of time to meet a very tight deadline.  (Following BECTA's abolition, following the General Election, those materials were housed on the NAME website.)

On 17 March the chair attended a meeting of the Music Education Council entitled "Everything to Play for", which debated the future of music education.  The meeting brought together key advocates from across the sector.  Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, stressed the need for a clearly focussed and articulated message to enable the sector to state their aims and priorities within one voice.  Christina Coker, Chief Executive of Youth Music, urged attendees to move forward with confidence.  Other contributions came from Paul McManus of the Music Industries Association, Kathryn Deane, of Sound Sense and Martin Fautley on behalf of ITE. Following this presentation there were group discussions which reflected the breadth and diversity of the sector and also the passion of all those involved in music education.  MEC and its member organisations set themselves a target of finalising a series of key messages for the future of music education.

As we approached the General Election we know there would be uncertain times ahead and that, over the next few months, key decisiions would be made which will have significant implications for the future of music education.  NAME's chair and others attended many meetings at which the future was the main subject of discussion and a wide range of scenarios put forward as to possible outcomes for music education.  These ranged from those putting forward minor changes to the ways in which funding is delivered at one end to, at the other extreme, the frankly apocalyptic!

But the Election campaign gave a unique opportunity to powerfully promote music education, its impact and its value so that educators could continue to ensure that all children receive the best possible experience through their music education.

May 2010 saw the anticipated General Election and a resulting Conservative/Liberal coalition government, which immediately bgan to have a significant impact on the public sector, with major funding cuts being made as the government wrestled with the national debt.  Initial impacts on music education were uncertain.  The most significant immediate effect was the decision to shelve the new Primary Curricululm and to hold a further primary curriculum review.  There was much talk of a knowledge-based curriculum, although little indication of exactly what that meant and what the implications would be for the mucic curriculum were available.  In addition, in a "bonfire of the quangos!, the Music Manifesto, which had done much good work over a number of years to bring forward a powerful case for music education, was abolished.  However, NAME reached its September conference with no decision made on future funding or any clear indication of how decisions would be made or whether music education was seen by the government as having a future.

During this time of uncertainty, NAME was very aware of the need to work together with other organisations, to ensure the continuting place of music as part of every child's entitlement with the national curriculu,m and to ensure that members were supported and kept informed at every stage of the change process.  NAME forcibly re-iterated its statement of purpose which appears on the webstie and publications.   It states that "NAME exists to support its members in the developement of music education of the highest quality which is accessible to all."

It was with regret that NAME received the news of the death of Professor John Paynter, who passed away on 1 July.   John was an inspirational figure to countless colleagues and the influence of his ideas and writings about music education have had a profound effect on the ways in which music education has developed.   In uncertain times, NAME was able to re-affirm as a fundamental of music education in schools the statement John Paynter made in his 1982 book "Music in the Secondary School Curriculum":  "the core of our work should be in the general class activities offered throughout the school, because music is not exclusively for the classically trained musician, nor even for any one mind of musician!   Everylne can respond to it and in some way be involved with it. Music stimulates the imagination, it stimulates the intellect.  And it does it through sounds, not through words about sounds."

NAME finished its year with another fantastic conference held at Yarnfield Park in Staffordshire. Taking place from 17th to 19th September 2010 and with a theme of "Finding the Pupil Voice", we were particularly delighted that Dame Evelyn Glennie provided a challenging and inspiring opening to the conference as guest speaker and, in the following two and a half days, delegates experienced a treasure-trove of quality speakers, presentations, workshops and debates to really get the new academic year off to a positive start.  As in previous years, there was a wide ranging exhibition of resources put on by NAME's corporate members and, on the Sunday morning the conference concluded with a fantastic opportunity to make music with internationally famous percussion quartet BackBeat.