A new organisation planned for music education
The National Assocation of Music Educators (NAME) and the Federation of Music Services (FMS) are in detailed talks with the aim of creating a single organisation to promote a joined-up approach across all sectors of music education.
NAME and FMS are responding to Darren Henley's call in his review of music education (a precursor to the Government's National Plan for Music Education announced in November 2011) to reduce the fragmentation of the Music Education community. In coming together they will be creating a body that is able to support all practitioners and organisations across the sector.
The new body, that has yet to be named, will offer both individual and corporate membership. It aims to appeal to all those who provide, lead, develop or support music education. Building on the established success of NAME and FMS, it will create a unified forum for ongoing professional dialogue and plans to harness the support of parents, funders and the music industry. The overall vision of the organisation is to bring together those involved in music education to work for improved quality, access and progression for all.
This period of discussion with FMS has been a process of discovering shared values as to the nature and purpose of music education. I am delighted that our two organisations can lead the way at this time, when so many in music education are forming partnerships to provide an integrated musical education for our young people.
Virginia Haworth-Galt, the chief executive of the FMS says, "It is particularly apt that on the first anniversary of the Henley Review we are able to announce that the FMS and NAME are working together to create a new body for music education. This will be an organisation with children at its heart, reaching out to support all involved in music education, including hub leaders and partners, instrumental teachers, classroom teachers, music industry professionals and school leaders."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson says, "My Fund for Young Musicians has shown just how many enormously gifted youngsters there are in our schools and communities and they need as much support as possible from parents, teachers and professional musicians if they are to realise their full potential. Bringing this breadth of expertise together in a single organisation would, I hope, enable the talent and creativity of even more youngsters to be unleashed, regardless of their background."
Both NAME and FMS are consulting their members on the formation and aims of the new structure. It is planned to have the organisation established by autumn 2012.
