01403 286330
music@westsussexmusic.co.uk
FacebookInstagramLinkedinYoutube

Secondary Schools Newsletter

Secondary Schools Newsletter – April 2025

Fao: Head of Music and Music Teacher

Dear Colleagues,

Wishing you a happy summer term. We’ve had a busy and rewarding Easter with holiday activities being
offered by partner organisations and hub tutors in Bognor Regis, Crawley, Chichester, and Worthing
including workshops from Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra. Thank you
for helping to promote these opportunities to your students.

Opportunities for you….

Sussex Secondary Music Conference Thursday 19 June Book here
Powering up Creativity, Collaboration and Innovation across the Music Curriculum

Hosted by the University of Sussex in collaboration with Sussex Music Hub (Create Music and West Sussex
Music), this FREE, one-day music education event for secondary music teachers at all stages of their
careers, working in schools across Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex and University of Sussex
partnership schools.

We’re delighted to say our keynote speakers are:

Workshops will include:

  • music technology including pathways at KS4 and beyond
  • creative use of AI
  • diversifying the KS4 curriculum
  • singing in the KS3 classroom
  • improvisation in the classroom – easy wins; and embedding musical assessment.
    More workshop information coming soon….

Shout out for conference help
To help in our conference preparation I’d be delighted to hear from you if:

  • You have questions for the AI workshop leaders or topics you would like them to cover,
    Or
  • You have direct experience of incorporating DJ-ing into your KS4 curriculum.
    Please get in touch at james.underwood@westsussexmusic.co.uk as soon as possible.

CPD Online series:

Gamelan loan
Are you interested in hosting one of our Gamelan sets?

Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Indonesia and is made up predominantly of percussive instruments
like metallophones, gongs, drums and bamboo flutes. It’s used in ceremonies, rituals and performing arts across
Indonesia.
You can see more about these beautiful instruments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsPdTNGnr44
We have a Balinese Gamelan and a Javanese Gamelan available for free loan – please contact me at
james.underwood@westsussexmusic.co.uk if you would like to host one.

Music Mark membership – FREE
Music Mark supports its members through training and resources, connects them with the wider
Music Education network across the UK, and influences on their behalf at a national level. I strongly
encourage you to become a member of Music Mark which provides a host of additional opportunities
for CPD, resources, and networking. If you’re interested please click here

Time4Music SLA
The Time4Music (T4M) service level agreement is a flexible approach to support and enrich your school’s
music provision and training needs.

  • Booking for this academic year can be made here
  • Booking for 2025-26 academic year can be made here

Opportunities for students….
Brighton Festival – Percussion Parade Sunday 25 May at 12pm
Do know of student drummers and percussionists playing at the equivalent of Grade 3 / working towards
Grade 4 standard and above?
Please help us to publicise this opportunity to take part in the parade for which there is no charge to
participate.  The only requirement is that participants attend all 3 rehearsals on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 14 May – 6.00pm – 8.30pm, Sound Rooms, 3 Pelham Terrace, Brighton, BN2 4AF
  • Saturday 17 May – 10.00am – 12.30pm, Varndean School Balfour Road, Brighton, BN1 6NP
  • Friday 23 May – 6.00pm – 8.30pm, Sound Rooms, 3 Pelham Terrace, Brighton, BN2 4AF

Acclaimed composer and percussionist Sarathy Korwar has a brand-new commission for the Brighton
Festival. This exciting new work will feature approximately 30 drummers from across Sussex in a dazzling
parade along Brighton seafront in a joyous celebration of multicultural music which will be the World
Premier of ‘Percussion Parade’ The event will take place during the closing weekend of Brighton Festival,
on Sunday 25 May at 12pm.  For further information see https://brightonfestival.org/whats-on/Xib-percussion-parade/
Parents/carers should register their child here. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-
served basis.

Online Music Production course
This new online course for students interested in music production started in January. Run in
partnership with  Education&Bass  this weekly course is designed for students in Year 7 to Year 11.
Please could you publicise to your students.

James Underwood
CEO
West Sussex Music

Back To Top