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Disclaimer

Due to the nature of the material Music for Life does not guarantee the accuracy of the content of its website. Where other material is accessed by links to other web sites, Music for Life does not endorse the accuracy or quality of the material contained on those websites. Listing or reference should not be taken as endorsement of any kind by Music for Life.

Copyright Notice

Most of the information on this page comes from Staffordshire County Council’s excellent performing arts website at : http://education.staffordshire.gov.uk/Curriculum
/Services/StaffordshirePerformingArts/
 and has been reproduced with their kind permission. It states on their site that : “In recognition of open access to websites, where the Staffordshire County Council is the owner of the intellectual property rights permission is given for non profit use only of material in its website. The Staffordshire County Council asserts its right to be identified as the author of such material, and a statement to this effect must be clearly displayed when reproducing all or any of this material.”

Much of the material will be of great interest to teachers, parents, schools and students working with Music for Life.


Curriculum Teaching

National Curriculum Online
Teachers can look at the programme of study for music in all Key Stages along with attainment targets. This is supported by practical information using pupils work and case studies from the National Curriculum in Action site. There is also guidance on how to identify and teach the musically gifted.

QCA/DfES Schemes of Work
Schools can get further help with implementing the music curriculum through schemes of work that cover all Key Stages.  The QCA Music Homepage site also has a wide variety of online resources, downloads and links for teaching music to 5-14 year olds and 14-16 year olds.


GCSE and A Level Music Examinations

OCR
General information and key document downloads are available for both GCSE Music and A Level Music as well as Performing Arts.  There is also support for teachers and help and for students preparing to take OCR exams.

Edexcel
Their music page contains information on the range on Edexcel qualifications from GCSE to BTEC.  The site also offers support for teachers and students.

AQA
The AQA site provides information on the full range of examinations including GCSE Music and A Level Music.  Further support is aimed primarily at teachers.


Instrumental and Vocal Examinations

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Information is available on all exams including syllabuses which can be downloaded.  Teachers have access to a range of resources and forums. Parents can learn how to help with their child's learning and students themselves are offered general help and advice. 

Trinity Guildhall Examinations
General information regarding exams, including complete syllabus and scale downloads, are available along with contacts for further help.   

London College of Music Examinations
London College of Music examinations are awarded by Thames Valley University.
Full information on exams and syllabuses can be found through the university site.


Higher Education

Conservatoires UK Admissions Service (CUKAS)
The website for the CUKAS provides links to Conservatoires throughout the United Kingdom .  The service also enables prospective students to search and apply for available courses.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Similarly, the site for UCAS enables students to search and apply for music courses at universities throughout the United Kingdom .


Resources

Music Publisher's Association (MPA)
The MPA provides contact details and websites for British publishers of music and resources, many of whom have made their catalogues available online to purchase or even download from.  If details are unknown, the MPA also offer assistance in locating pieces of printed music. 

The MPA also promotes the better understanding of music copyright and provides advice to help students, teachers and schools with their activities.


Libraries 

Information on libraries can be found through Encore which is primarily an online database of vocal scores and orchestral sets held by libraries in the UK .  Material may be available to borrow through your local library service.

National Grid for Learning (NGfL)
The NGfL provides quality links to educational resources online which have been especially selected for their high quality content and information.


Music Organisations


General

Making Music
The National Federation of Music Societies represents and supports over 2,000 amateur and semi-professional music groups throughout the country.

Music for Youth
The organisation provides educational and performance opportunities for young musicians through festivals and events nationwide.

Youth Music 
Helps young people to achieve their musical aspirations by providing activities through Action Zones across the country.  Staffordshire's Action Zone is Make Some Noise. 


Educational and Professional Organisations

Federation of Music Services
Represents the interests of LEA Music Services and promotes good practice in music education and instrumental teaching.

Incorporated Society of Musicians
Provides advice and services to professional musicians and aims to raise standards.

Music Education Council
Links all organisations involved with music education in the UK to provide a forum for debate and to decide an appropriate course of action.

Musician's Union
Negotiates with the major music employers and offers a range of services for professional and student musicians.

National Association of Music Educators (NAME)
NAME supports educators and aims to develop music education nationally by providing forums, resource materials and links.

Schools Music Association
Provides a network for music teachers and others involved with education through news updates, workshops, conferences and so on.  


Bands and Orchestras

National Association of Youth Orchestras

British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles

National Youth Brass Band

National Youth Choir

National Youth Orchestra

National Youth Wind Orchestra

Instrumental and Vocal Associations


Choirs

Association of British Choral Conductors (ABCD)
ABCD aims to develop choral directors and standards of choral activity.

British Choirs on the Net
A comprehensive list of British choral websites.

National Association of Choirs
The site provides support services to British choral societies.

Sing for Pleasure (SfP)
SfP aims to encourage the enjoyment of choral singing by offering events and resources for teachers, conductors and young people.

Youngchoirs.net
Creates opportunities for young people to enjoy choral singing.


Woodwind

British Double Reed Society
Promotes and furthers the interests of all involved with the oboe and bassoon.  It also provides links to other reed instrument websites.

British Flute Society
The site focuses upon flute playing in Great Britain and also provides links to other sites of interest.

Clarinet and Saxophone Society
CASS was formed for those interested in the clarinet or saxophone in the United Kingdom.  The website provides further links, news and event details. 

Society for Recorder Players
Provides information on the society's activities and links to other relevant sites.


Brass

British Horn Society
A site dedicated to horn playing which provides information on events, activities as well as links to other horn sites.

British Trombone Society
Founded to promote the trombone, its study and its music within the United Kingdom.

International Trumpet Guild
Promotes communication among trumpet players around the world and to improve the level of trumpet performance, teaching, and literature.


Strings

European String Teachers' Association (ETSA)
The site of ESTA with details of its work in Britain and Europe.

Internet Cello Society
The society aims to promote cello playing and offers help and support for cellists around the world.

International Society of Bassists
The organisation is for those who enjoy the double bass and want to communicate with others globally.

European Guitar Teacher's Association
The site promotes classical guitar playing and aims to improve standards.  There is also information on the National Youth Guitar Ensemble.


Keyboards and Percussion

European Piano Teachers' Association
EPTA in the United Kingdom aims to improve piano teaching and performance and bring teachers and performers together.

Royal College of Organists
The site promotes the art of organ playing and choral directing with general links to other organisations.

National Association of Percussion Teachers (NAPT)
The NAPT site aims to encourage percussion playing and enable percussionists to share and exchange ideas.

The Percussive Arts Society
The society, based in the USA, promotes percussion education, research, performance, and appreciation around the world.

If links have expired or you are aware of any sites that may also be of benefit to teachers or students, please email admin@musicforlife.org.uk

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