Our musicians and teachers are committed to the very best music education. We make sure that they have access to good quality training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) so that our children, families and schools receive the very best musical opportunities and development. We create new resources, we share good practice with our partners and we train our teachers to deliver to the highest standards.
All workshops and training sessions will be led by highly skilled music specialists and classroom practitioners from Bolton Music Service and our partners. The sessions are suitable for all classroom teachers and music practitioners, regardless of knowledge or experience. The focus is on bringing together music teachers and practitioners, sharing common aims and objectives.
Bespoke training packages can be arranged on request. Please ring 01204 333533 for further details.
The Early Years Music Network meetings are an opportunity for adults who work with children age 0-5 years to share ideas for using music within different early years settings. We try out new songs, share ideas for using musical instruments and props, look at different musical games, different resources, and at ways in which musical activity can contribute to the delivery of the wider EYFS curriculum. The network aims to engage with early years practitioners, teachers, childminders and adults working with young children in community and outreach programmes
Early Years Music Network Meetings 2023/24
Bolton – Mere Hall, Merehall Street, Bolton. BL1 2QT
Blackburn with Darwen – The Bureau Centre for the Arts, Penny Street, Blackburn. BB1 6HQ
For further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk
For Primary Music Co-ordinators, practitioners and all teachers involved in delivering the music curriculum in primary schools. All sessions will be led by highly skilled music specialists and classroom practitioners from Bolton Music Service and our partners. The sessions are suitable for all classroom teachers and practitioners, regardless of knowledge or experience.
Primary Network meetings 2023/24
Bolton – Mere Hall, Merehall Street, Bolton. BL1 2QT
1. Wednesday 25th October 2023 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm
2. Wednesday 31st January 2024 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CSOO
3. Wednesday 8th May 2024 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CSOX
Blackburn with Darwen
1. Wednesday 11th October 2023 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm
2. Wednesday 7th February 2024 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm – At Wensley Fold Church of England Primary Academy, Manor Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 6LX https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CSOI
3. Wednesday 15th May 2024 – 4.00 – 5.15 pm (Venue TBC) https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CSOK
For further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk
Secondary Network Meetings are useful forums where music teachers can share good practice, introduce new ideas and discuss the important developments that are happening in music education. Meetings are hosted by different Bolton secondary schools, and more information will be available about each location from September.
Autumn Term 2023
Thursday 9th November, 4:15pm to 6pm at Mere Hall Mere Hall Street, Bolton, BL1 2QT
Spring and Summer Terms 2024 – To be agreed at Autumn Term meeting
Cost: Free of charge
Booking: Please email daniel.chandler@bolton.gov.uk
For further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk
Programme of Primary Music CPD sessions
Creating a Music Action Plan
Date/time: Wednesday 15th November, 1pm – 3:30pm
Venue: Mere Hall, Bolton
Who is it for?: Primary music coordinators, Primary curriculum leaders and Primary Head teachers
Cost: £30 (plus booking fee). Free of charge to schools that buy in BMS Curriculum Support (contact our office for voucher code)
“In partnership with their Music Hub, we would like every school (including multi academy trusts) to have a Music Development Plan that captures the curricular and co-curricular offer and sets out how it will be staffed and funded.“
(‘The Power of Music to Change Lives: a national plan for music education’ DfE 2022)
This course helps you to evaluate and plan for the development of music in your school – both in terms of statutory curricular requirements and your wider co-curricular offer. We will also help you to prepare for Ofsted by looking at the questions you are likely to be asked, and the tasks that you may be required to undertake as part of a Music Deep Dive.
To book please visit: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/CSSG
CPD for Classroom teachers
These sessions are aimed at supporting classroom teachers in delivering National Curriculum Music and are tailored to specific age ranges. All workshops will be led by highly skilled and experienced music specialists from Bolton Music Service. These practical sessions are suitable for all classroom teachers and music practitioners, regardless of knowledge and experience.
Please contact Angela Caswell angela.caswell@bolton.gov.uk if you require any further information or advice regarding these sessions.
Venue – Bolton Music Service, Mere Hall, Mere Hall Street, Bolton, BL1 2QT
Cost per session – £20 (up to 4 members of staff per school may attend on one £20 ticket)
Cost for all 4 CPD sessions (with up to 4 staff members per session) – £70
Throw it! Pass it! Catch it!
Tuesday 23rd January 2024
In this session, we will be looking at a unit of work suitable for KS1, that includes a variety of songs, games and activities on the theme of ‘taking turns’. You will explore songs and music that will help the children develop their control of pulse and rhythm and support them as their early singing skills progress, with the unit culminating in a class performance piece. Beanbags and balls will be used to support their musical learning, promoting the overarching theme of ‘taking turns’ and to enhance the engagement of the children.
Ways into Part-Singing
Tuesday 5th March 2024
Are you looking for new ways to teach your children to sing in perfect harmony? This practical course will give you lots of ideas and suggestions for exploring ways into part-singing and how to progress this across Key Stage 2.
We will be sharing ideas for:
Melody Maker
Tuesday 19th March 2024
This fun and creative session will help you to develop children’s understanding and control of pitch and melody. This unit is suitable for pupils in Years 3 and 4 and includes ideas and resources to support:
Sporting World
Tuesday 23rd April 2024
To celebrate the Paris Olympics, get your children playing and composing music based around the world of sport. This unit is suitable for pupils in Years 5 and 6 and includes ideas and resources to support:
All teachers in schools can access high quality training through our Greater Manchester training programmes, these can be accessed by any Primary, Secondary and Music Service teachers from across the Greater Manchester area.
GM Hub Choral conducting workshops
Who are these sessions for?
• Secondary School Music Teachers
• Primary Music Teachers who run choirs
• GM Hub staff
• University Music Students
• Community Choir leaders
• Anyone who would like to improve their conducting technique
1. Spring term – Monday 15 January 2024, 5.00 – 7.00 pm
Conducting Workshop 1
Confident conductors, confident choirs
Get a head start on your repertoire choices for your spring term concerts at this workshop!
In the first of two practical conducting workshops, Stuart Overington will focus on giving confidence to young singers through your conducting technique and selecting concert repertoire for youth choirs.
Stuart will be selecting a piece to work on (suitable for all choirs, SA, SSA, SATB etc) that participants will be able to use with their choirs in the spring term and put their skills into practice. Participants will all practise conducting the same song, thus providing a supportive atmosphere, and learning well from each other.
Stuart Overington is an accomplished conductor, vocal animator and composer working between Manchester and London, UK. Having trained as a singer and conductor at the Royal Northern College of Music he is known for his engaging, informative and inclusive style and works with a wide and diverse range of ensembles.
Participants will form the choir for this workshop, with the support of vocal leads, therefore a small selection of music will be sent out in advance to participants, should they wish to look at the music in advance.
2. Spring term – Monday 11 March 2024, 5.00 – 7.00 pm
Conducting Workshop 2
Venue – Moorside High School, M27 5ZR
Refine your conducting skills with Ellie Slorach
In this practical workshop, Ellie Slorach will be working on refining your conducting technique.
Focusing on giving confidence to young singers through your conducting technique, looking at conducting patterns, expression, phrasing and dynamics. Participants will work on a wider range of repertoire, gaining feedback on their technique.
Ellie Slorach is a conductor based in Manchester. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Kantos Chamber Choir and works in the UK and internationally with orchestras and choirs. Ellie studied Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music having previously studied Music at the University of Manchester.
Participants will form the choir for this workshop, with the support of vocal leads, therefore a small selection of music will be sent out in advance to participants, should they wish to look at the music in advance.
Cost: £30 per session (plus booking fee)
To book please visit https://GMHubcpd23.eventbrite.co.uk
If you would like any further information please contact music.service@bolton.gov.uk