In Autumn 2011, DM Education carried out a nationwide consultation into disabling barriers to formal music education. The consultation findings are posted here in the 'Experiences' section of the DM Education web pages becuase they represent a signficant insight into the experiences of the SEN/Disabled young people / musicians, teachers and music educators who shared their views.
Braille
Worcester Snoezelen Centre and LCM Leisure Play music exams
By jonathanwestrup - 18/11/2011Like many I suspect, my first question about the small, Worcester-based charity ‘Snoezelen’ was ‘What does Snoezelen mean?’ The word - a mix of two dutch words for sniffing and dozing – perfectly evokes the experience offered by the charity: a multi-sensory environment for people with severe
P Scales Level Descriptors
By Alex Ivanovich - 27/10/2011P Scales are a format for assessing progress for students who are operating below National Curriculum Level 1. This useful document (which can be downloaded as a pdf file here) describes how to assess what level a student is at for a wide range of subjects. Level descriptors for music are on pages 27-29.
Prima Vista braille scores and other resources
By Lydia at Prima Vista - 19/09/2011Prima Vista publishes braille music and carries out research and development in braille music technology projects. Visitors to Prima Vista's website at http://primavistamusic.com can browse by ear for braille editions and then buy them as digital downloads or embossed scores. The catalogue ranges from pop to classics and is constantly growing, but if you don't find what you want, you can send an email to suggestions@primavistamusic.com.
ABRSM Graded Music Exams
By dougbott - 10/09/2011ABRSM now offer a comprehensive set of guidelines on their website for candidates with special needs who want to take Graded Music Exams:
ABRSM Performance Assessment
By dougbott - 10/09/2011ABRSM offer the Performance Assessment as an alternative to their Graded Music Exams in acknowledgement of the fact that 'an exam is not always the most appropriate kind of assessment'. Participants can play their own choice of repertoire and come away with a written report containing constructive comments and advice from a member of the ABRSM examining panel.
Trinity College Music Certificate Exams
By dougbott - 08/09/2011Trinity College Music Certificate Exams assess a musican's performance on a musical instrument. Music Certifcate Exams are more flexible and adaptable than Trinity's Music Grade Exams, consisting of a performance of pieces without the assessment of Technical Work or Supporting Tests and permitt
ASDAN short courses
By dougbott - 06/09/2011ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) offer a wide choice of flexible, activity-based curriculum programmes that can be used in a variety of educational contexts with learners working at a range of levels.
AQA Unit Award Scheme
By dougbott - 05/09/2011AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) offer an extremely flexible accreditation framework called the 'AQA Unit Award Scheme'. The scheme includes scores of ready-made music awards, as well a system that enables music educators to create their own awards, which can then be accredited by AQA.
RNIB Music Advisory Service
By dougbott - 04/09/2011The RNIB Music Advisory Service (MAS) is an information resource for people with sight problems. The MAS web-page contains information and advice on music education at all levels, from the earliest signs of interest to advanced studies. The MAS team can also be contacted direct via telephone or email - see the web-page for contact details.