Musicas
A new music education consultancy
Music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It is a vehicle for personal expression and it can play an important part in personal development.
Music reflects the culture and society we live in, and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world. Besides being a creative and enjoyable activity, music can also be a highly academic and demanding subject. It also essential in helping children feel part of a community.
We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms, and to begin to make judgements about the quality of music.
The aims of music teaching are to enable children to:
-
Know and understand how sounds are made and then organised into musical structures;
-
Know how music is made through a variety of instruments;
-
Know how music is composed and written down;
-
Know how music is influenced by the time, place and purpose for which it was written;
-
Develop the interrelated skills of performing, composing and appreciating music.
In-School Advice and Support
With a wealth of experience, I am able to support, through MUSICAS, any aspect of classroom music -subject review including auditing, coordinator support, in-school training sessions and resourcing.
Primary Music Consultancy
MUSICAS can provide one-off visits to long-term partnerships. Call to discuss.
All support packages are bespoke but could include:
-
Demo lessons taught by a specialist aiming to train teachers to deliver the curriculum themselves. Observation, team teaching, joint planning, support in the careful selection of appropriate resources.
-
The aim of this support can be to target the whole school, a key stage or a single class
Specialist Teaching
MUSICAS can arrange weekly visits to deliver the music curriculum – on a termly or yearly basis.
High-quality lessons will be planned and delivered that meet the requirements of the National Curriculum – personalized to the needs of the school
MUSICAS can also support assemblies, plays and performances.
This can be an excellent way of training teachers through observation of good practice through working closely with me for maximum impact.
Professional Development
MUSICAS can provide training courses and music-focused staff meetings. These could include:
Enhancing the curriculum through music
Making music outstanding
Catering for the G&T musician
Preparing for music scholarships
Teaching Resources
MUSICAS has a wide range of printed resources available, which can be used to support teachers in their delivery of music. It also has a large listening library and many shows/musicals that can be used to support your school.
With my considerable experience I am able to offer advice on how to spend your music budget wisely.
Workshops & Curriculum Enhancement
-
Singing Days
-
Musical in a day
-
Workshops for the G&T musician
-
Preparing your musicians for music scholarships
Music Medals, Artsmark, Arts Award
I am a qualified Music Medals Teacher Assessor and Arts Award Assessor for Discover, Explore, Bronze and Silver levels.
I am also experienced in preparing schools for an Artsmark application.
I am currently working on a project enabling every child across two schools within a MAT to achieve an Arts Award within one year.
I have taken several schools from a position where they had very little music provision to a position where they were successful in their application for a Gold Artsmark. This included:
-
Setting up peripatetic music provision.
-
Setting up choirs from reception upwards through the school.
-
Ensuring that all Pupil Premium children receive music provision each week.
-
Ensuring that all children perform in a musical at least once a year.
-
Ensuring that opportunities are provided to develop the ability and confidence of teachers to deliver music in their classroom
Teaching
Robin offers cello lessons to pupils of all ages and abilities.
Learning an instrument is a partnership between pupil, teacher and parent and so the initial consultation lesson is a chance for all parties to ask questions and get to know each other. Lessons seek to maximize the potential of the student and enable them to achieve beyond their expectations.
It is important that children know how to improve and at the heart of my teaching is training the student how to learn. This obviously needs to be adapted to the needs of the individual and I pride myself on my ability to adapt my teaching to ensure that the child makes the best progress they can.
Supporting children as they learn can often be a daunting proposition and I have spent many years developing strategies to support parents with this.
Lesson length varies, dependent upon the age of the student, and this is discussed at the consultation lesson to find the best solution for each individual.
As an ex-deputy headteacher, I have a wealth of experience that enables me to support students in a holistic way and for those preparing for 11+, entrance examinations and scholarships, support can be available for the whole process. Theory lessons are also available for students.
For an initial consultation lesson, please contact me at robin @robinthompsonclarke.com or on 07989 595957, leaving your name, the potential student's name (if not yourself) and a short message explaining what you are looking for and I will endeavour to contact you as soon as possible.
About Robin
Robin Thompson-Clarke studied cello at the Royal Academy of Music under Vivian Joseph and Douglas Cummings. He also studied chamber music with Sidney Griller and participated in master classes with Lutoslawski and the Delme Quartet. Whilst at the Royal Academy he was awarded the prestigious Gerard Heller Intercollegiate Quartet Prize.
As a soloist Robin has performed throughout the world in many prestigious venues, including the Moscow Conservatoire, the Royal Albert Hall, the National Concert Hall, Dublin (with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland) and as soloist alongside Sir Anthony Sher in the acclaimed production of PRIMO at the National Theatre.
As a chamber musician, he has toured extensively in Europe and has recorded two CDs with his piano trio ‘Kammerspiel’ He has performed with many of this country’s symphony and chamber orchestras and his West End performances include Aspects of Love, Crazy for You, Joseph, Wicked and Guys and Dolls.
Robin has worked with the Arts Council in the commissioning of many new works, including two concertos especially written for him. He has also recorded 4 solo CDs as well as appearing as soloist on at least 50 others.
He is an Advanced Skills Teacher and works as a consultant to many schools around the country.
