The virtual event aims to empower music leaders across the UK and break down common barriers to using music technology in the classroom.
Orchestras for All is delighted to announce that internationally-recognised composer, DJ and Associate Lecturer in Music and Sound Recording at the University of York, Jack McNeill, will be hosting the second webinar in the charity’s Music Leadership Training series.
Titled Achieving Equity and Empowerment Through Music Technology, the live session will take place via Zoom on Tuesday 24 May 2022 and aims to boost the skills and confidence of music teachers and hub leaders across the UK.
Jack said: “I’m really excited to be working with Orchestras for All to bring you a workshop on demystifying music technology in the classroom, offering some ideas on the potential it has for equitable music-making.
“The session is about empowering teachers and students to use music technology. Hopefully, by the end we’ll be able to remove some of the barriers that people face when using the DAW (or digital audio workstation) and perhaps, to understand how technology might help students and teachers to achieve their creative or professional goals.”
Pictured: Composer, DJ and university lecturer, Jack McNeill, with National Orchestra for All guitarist, Kit
He continued: “There will be room in the session for an open discussion, so please come with ideas, thoughts and concerns that you might have come across while using music technology in your classroom. I look forward to sharing some of my own experiences and perspectives as well as hearing yours.”
It will surely be a memorable evening for both attendees and the keen composer, who is also a guitar tutor for National Orchestra for All (NOFA) and recently penned the score for the ensemble’s captivating audiovisual track, ‘The Great Interstellar Orchestra’ (watch below) – created and performed by NOFA’s inspiring young members during the COVID-19 lockdown.
While Jack’s forthcoming webinar is free to attend, participants are invited to donate what they can to help the charity continue its life-changing work.
The event comes after leading saxophonist, author and music education consultant, Professor Nate Holder, launched OFA’s virtual series last November with a session exploring whiteness in music education, diversity versus decolonisation and how relationships form an integral part of a music educator’s practise.
With thousands of music educators across the UK still facing significant challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, the need to provide support and improve access to music-making is growing.
That’s why to complement the webinars, 10 online modules have become available as part of the charity’s Music Leadership Training course – providing flexible, hands-on guidance through short videos filmed in real life contexts and in partnership with leading practitioners.
As well as covering traditional conducting techniques, the course invites music leaders to reflect on approaches to group composing, learning music by ear, teaching music without notation and arranging music for inclusive ensembles.
Thank you to each of our loyal funders, individual donors and supporters as well as The Rachel Baker Memorial Charity – without you, our Music Leadership Training programme and webinar series would not be possible.
Achieving Equity and Empowerment Through Music Technology will be available to livestream via Zoom on Tuesday, 24 May 2022 at 19:00 GMT.
