The Music Workshop Company Blog

Each month the Music Workshop Company publishes two blogs. One blog, written by the MWC team addresses a key issue in Music Education or gives information about a particular genre or period of music. The other blog is written by a guest writer, highlighting good practice or key events in Music Education. We hope you enjoy reading the blogs.

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To contribute as a guest writer please email Maria@music-workshop.co.uk

Posts tagged “MUSIC EDUCATION”

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National Curriculum for Music changes

Posted on 30th November 2025 at 17:33

Earlier this month, the Government announced changes to the National Curriculum for Music in England, as part of a broader review of the National Curriculum. This followed campaigning from individuals and organisations for a number of years, which highlighted how the current system ‘downgrades’ Arts subjects and limits students’ access to Music education.

In this month’s blog, we look in more detail at the challenges with the existing system, the changes that have been recommended and how the sector has responded to the news.

Oxford Cello School

Posted on 30th June 2025 at 12:14

The Oxford Cello School (OCS) is an international cello summer school founded in 1980 by Marianne Gottfeldt to provide a unique opportunity for cellists to focus on their instrument and receive the very best tuition in an intensive environment. This remains their philosophy.

The Music Workshop Company are proud to work with their students every year.

In this month's guest blog, Stephen Gottfeldt tells us all about the ethos of the School and what it offers it's students.

Amplify – supporting grassroots music projects

Posted on 30th April 2025 at 17:56

Young performers from HvH Arts Camden’s project on stage

This month brings an update from our friends at the London Music Fund, who have blogged for us in the past about their work improving music education for young people in the capital. Here Kate Kelly, Senior Programmes & Operations Manager, tells us about the charity’s Amplify fund, which supports grassroots organisations to deliver a range of creative projects. Read on to learn about some of the initiatives the fund has enabled, and the latest developments with its launch in Liverpool.

(Image: Performers from HvH Arts Camden’s project, Rock-U-Mentory, funded by Amplify London)

What matters is music

Posted on 7th February 2025 at 14:00

This month we welcome back award-winning music teacher, Nat Dye MBE.

Nat's very personal exploration of what music can bring to us, especially in the face of a terminal diagnosis, is an important reminder of music's ability to be a vehicle for self-expression as well as a way of connecting with one another.

He discusses some the amazing experiences he has had since his diagnosis including running the London Marathon playing his trombone and being made an MBE in the New Years Honours List.

NYJO Learning: King's Cross Summer Project

Posted on 23rd December 2024 at 18:00

Here at the Music Workshop Company, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to make music, regardless of their age or background. But too often, for many, those opportunities can be hard to find - which is why programmes that open up music to wider audiences are so important.

NYJO (also known as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra) exists to do just this, and we were delighted to hear about their successful 2024 King's Cross Summer Project for 14-18-year-olds. This month Beth Ismay, NYJO's Learning Programmes Manager, returns to the blog to tell us about the project and the impact it made for the young people involved.

The joy of music and friendship

Posted on 16th November 2024 at 14:22

In past blogs we have explored many of the benefits of music education and participation in music: brain development, self-expression, motor skills, collaboration skills, self-discipline as well as improving wellbeing.

This month, our Artistic Director, Maria Thomas, explores an element that isn’t often highlighted as a benefit of music participation – friendships.

She argues that participation in music - whether through playing music with others, or sharing an appreciation of music - can be an important way for us to form vital connections with other people.

Image: David Amann