As you may be aware The Council for Curriculum, Exams and Assessment in the North (CCEA) is currently rewriting its specification for GCSE music. I am writing to you to see if you will send a letter of protest against the changes which CCEA and more specifically their subject officer for music Roger Trigg is intent on making.
Currently The CCEA board Specification for GCSE music has three compulsory areas of study one of which is the Musical Traditions in Ireland. This means that any child currently learning music to GCSE level in Northern Ireland (using the Northern Irish examining board- CCEA) will learn about the musical traditions of their country.
However under the proposed specification changes (which have not been made public, just unveiled to music teachers before Christmas) the area of study Musical Traditions in Ireland has been made non compulsory. This may not seem particularly important at first glance but when you consider that many of the music teachers in Northern Ireland are at best not confident in their knowledge of traditional music and at worst antagonistic towards the music you can see that the knock on effect of the area for study being made non compulsory is that children will simply not be given the option to study the indigenous music of their own country.
I consider this to be a massively retrogressive step that will marginalise traditional music of all types within Northern Ireland.
I urge you to write a letter outlining your concerns to Roger Trigg at CCEA at rtrigg@ccea.org.uk or if you don't have time simply cut and paste the pro forma below, sign it and send it to him. If you wouldn't mind BCCing your email to me as well I'd be grateful as I could then measure the strength of support there is for this issue. I realize this is happening outside of my jurisdiction but I feel it necessary that I show my concern on this issue. Can you please pass this on to others.
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Well, the Irish language has been compulsory at primary & secondary level for many decades in the South and not too many people would argue that it has benefited from that position..
Shouldn't people learn things because they are interested in the subject rather than just be put through the motions of a syllabus?
If many of the teachers are not confident in their knowledge as you say, maybe they shouldn't teach it...
It's probably all politics at the end of the day - should the CCEA be inclusive and include all musical traditions or exclude those from one side or the other.
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I totally support your stance on this. Not for the first time, an attempt is being made to erase Irish tradition from the people. Irish music and its associated history belongs to the Irish. To have CCEA and their pro brit colleagues in stormont tell us otherwise is nothing short of disgraceful. I urge everyone to act by emailing and phoning Mr. Trigg on (028) 9026 1200 Ext 2296
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
One of the core reasons why I chose to remove my daughter from school and opt for home education!
Significantly we have had the time to introduce her AND excite her intellect and as a result she is now a keen ITM and traditional music enthusiast. A task I have yet to see achieved in any UK based school.
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Okay for the doubters, yes I agree people should learn things by choice but that has never been an option here, the problem being that anything deemed Irish within this statelet has always been threatened or discriminated against, just look at the present efforts of the Irish language community to have Irish protected and you will maybe understand what I mean. Trad music has and will remain to be a unifying force here all manner of people from all walks of life who play it. One reason why I suggest supporting this is important is that young kids will have little or no opportunity to experience trad, and that is all the trad from these islands, i think our kids deserve that chance. This always begs the question why is there a hierarchy of music within CCEA and other musics deemed less important, i think that is wrong. When looked at in a wider political context one could be forgiven for thinking that there are sectarian motives behind this or at least contempt for the indigenous music. I personally am for choice but with this recommendation there will be no choice and this will leave 1000's of kids totally disenfranchised from the music, it just does not compare to compulsory Irish in the free state, these kids who choose to study music will just not get the opportunity to find out how great the music is and as it is the choice will be theirs, but if it is not on the curriculum it won't be.
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I'm from England and i listen to Trad morning noon and night when i get the chance. Now what you're saying shocks me, it seems logging onto youtube, that you're more likely in the future to be taught the music of Eire if you come from Japan, Korea,USA or Canada yet if you come from the occupied 6 it's not compulsory. You're having a F*****g laugh? Where's that E-Mail address?
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
In my long experience in the public schools in the USA, if something is locked into the curriculum, for better or for worse, it is protected. If it is left out, of the curriculum, it becomes marginalized and you can kiss it goodbye.
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I do not wish any young or otherwise person.
To be forced to learn any ONE type of music.
I have in my experience seen to many good
young musicians,being force to learn Irish
Traditional Music,, And when they were able
to - {talk back} its the first thing they
gave up.. {as in forever}
After the Rudiments of Music,,I think they
should be asked question about - There own
local music {wharever forms} plus Other
world music's- The America's, Eastern music,
African, and Islamic, music's..But even in
Classical Music, Great as thy are Mozart and
Beethoven are not enought.Theirs early to
modern classical music- Handle to Soshtakovich,
would do me.And all music exams{General} should
be based on this - And no.. I havent forgot POP
music of their own modern culture, Is just as
important as Traditional Music.
To finnish,
I would not like to force anyone into anything,
But to not have Local Traditional Music,s in
you Exam - is just a Sham,,
jim,,,
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Yes, if school children are learning about music, they should of course be given some insight into what the traditional music of their own country is all about.
Here in the "6 counties", as you put it, there is much for them to learn and I feel it might help the youngsters here to understand that they really do have far more in common than that which has divided their parents in recent years e.g. all those tunes that are played by both sides of the imaginary fence up here.
However the information should cover all aspects of the traditional music of their area & I say this because I suspect that what happens at present in some cases, given that the system here is to a large extent divided, is that children in Catholic schools may well get an insight into Irish traditional music, but the musical traditions of their Protestant neighbours may well be largely ignored, so perpetuating the myth that only Catholics play Irish Traditional Music. A similar biased approach may well exist within Protestant schools.
A dozen years ago, I felt so strongly that school children in both Protestant & Catholic schools here should be learning at least a little traditional music, that I gave up my 9 to 5 job & started going round many of my local primary schools teaching traditional music. Interestingly, today, more Protestant than Catholic schools are making use of my services.
It wasn't all plain sailing though & initially I had a meeting with a senior member of the music dept. of our local Education Board, who assured me that absolutely none of his musical students would be allowed to have anything to do with - "that KAKKETY KAA Music" as he called it. However, this less than encouraging remark didn't frighten me off & undaunted, I went ahead & over the years have at least introduced the art of playing traditional music to 2 or 3 thousand kids by now & also hopefully helped to create the impression of the humble Tin Whistle as a user friendly, musical tool rather than some sort of dangerous Nationalist/Catholic weapon.
We are fortunate in this area though, because a number of the secondary schools here, both Catholic & Protestant, have thriving traditional groups, but of course others have none & from what I hear, the children in those other schools don't get nearly as much info on trad music as I would like.
In addition to my tuition, my wife & I also give a number of musical presentations each year, to some of the local schools, when we take along numerous instruments from both traditions, but of course, rather than labour any notion of two traditions, we simply play a variety of locally played music, mixing & matching the instruments. So they simply see & hear music of a Scottish & Irish flavour, Fife Marches, Jig, Reels, Flings etc. played on Fiddle, Fife, Bodhran, Flute, Lambeg, Hammered Dulcimer, Banjo, Bagpipes, Concertina, Whistle etc etc. We just share a good time with the music, with them & hope that some of them might be inspired enough to try playing something too.
We have in the past been invited to play at "Ulster Scots" events, but on a number of occasions were asked not to bring the Harp as they considered it had nothing to do with Scots or Ulster Scots traditions. Of course, when I pointed out that the Harp was such a strong musical symbol in Scotland & at one time more or less considered to be the National Instrument, they looked at me as if I had two heads. Indeed some folks are still not too sure about the Fiddle either until I mention that of course Rabbie Burns played one too & that usually helps.
There are three other groups of musicians that I know of, who go round the schools here doing great work, by introducing children to the delights of traditional music. Luckily for them, some of them are funded & can work full time to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, we receive no help from the likes of the local Arts Council, other than advice about applying for Lottery grants, so sadly, we see far fewer children each year than we would like.
So, in an ideal situation, I think yes, each school pupil should receive some information on the trad music of their own are. They should also be given the opportunity to see & hear traditional music being played by trad musicians & they should each leave primary school being able to play at least a few tunes on an instrument. All that would take a mere 30 mins per week, per class. Surely that's not too much to ask for, is it? In the 6 counties, this would allow the teacher to not only tick their music box but also their cross-community box.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention glornamona. I will of course send Roger an e-Mail.
Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
As you may be aware The Council for Curriculum, Exams and Assessment in the North (CCEA) is currently rewriting its specification for GCSE music. I am writing to you to see if you will send a letter of protest against the changes which CCEA and more specifically their subject officer for music Roger Trigg is intent on making.
Currently The CCEA board Specification for GCSE music has three compulsory areas of study one of which is the Musical Traditions in Ireland. This means that any child currently learning music to GCSE level in Northern Ireland (using the Northern Irish examining board- CCEA) will learn about the musical traditions of their country.
However under the proposed specification changes (which have not been made public, just unveiled to music teachers before Christmas) the area of study Musical Traditions in Ireland has been made non compulsory. This may not seem particularly important at first glance but when you consider that many of the music teachers in Northern Ireland are at best not confident in their knowledge of traditional music and at worst antagonistic towards the music you can see that the knock on effect of the area for study being made non compulsory is that children will simply not be given the option to study the indigenous music of their own country.
I consider this to be a massively retrogressive step that will marginalise traditional music of all types within Northern Ireland.
I urge you to write a letter outlining your concerns to Roger Trigg at CCEA at rtrigg@ccea.org.uk or if you don't have time simply cut and paste the pro forma below, sign it and send it to him. If you wouldn't mind BCCing your email to me as well I'd be grateful as I could then measure the strength of support there is for this issue. I realize this is happening outside of my jurisdiction but I feel it necessary that I show my concern on this issue. Can you please pass this on to others.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by glornamona
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Well, the Irish language has been compulsory at primary & secondary level for many decades in the South and not too many people would argue that it has benefited from that position..
Shouldn't people learn things because they are interested in the subject rather than just be put through the motions of a syllabus?
If many of the teachers are not confident in their knowledge as you say, maybe they shouldn't teach it...
It's probably all politics at the end of the day - should the CCEA be inclusive and include all musical traditions or exclude those from one side or the other.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by the wounded hussar
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I have no problem sending such a letter, but what is your email?
D
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by WelshGuy
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I totally support your stance on this. Not for the first time, an attempt is being made to erase Irish tradition from the people. Irish music and its associated history belongs to the Irish. To have CCEA and their pro brit colleagues in stormont tell us otherwise is nothing short of disgraceful. I urge everyone to act by emailing and phoning Mr. Trigg on (028) 9026 1200 Ext 2296
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by strayaway
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
"Shouldn't people learn things because they are interested in the subject rather than just be put through the motions of a syllabus?"
Maybe. But that's an argument against conventional schooling as a whole.
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
One of the core reasons why I chose to remove my daughter from school and opt for home education!
Significantly we have had the time to introduce her AND excite her intellect and as a result she is now a keen ITM and traditional music enthusiast. A task I have yet to see achieved in any UK based school.
D
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by WelshGuy
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Okay for the doubters, yes I agree people should learn things by choice but that has never been an option here, the problem being that anything deemed Irish within this statelet has always been threatened or discriminated against, just look at the present efforts of the Irish language community to have Irish protected and you will maybe understand what I mean. Trad music has and will remain to be a unifying force here all manner of people from all walks of life who play it. One reason why I suggest supporting this is important is that young kids will have little or no opportunity to experience trad, and that is all the trad from these islands, i think our kids deserve that chance. This always begs the question why is there a hierarchy of music within CCEA and other musics deemed less important, i think that is wrong. When looked at in a wider political context one could be forgiven for thinking that there are sectarian motives behind this or at least contempt for the indigenous music. I personally am for choice but with this recommendation there will be no choice and this will leave 1000's of kids totally disenfranchised from the music, it just does not compare to compulsory Irish in the free state, these kids who choose to study music will just not get the opportunity to find out how great the music is and as it is the choice will be theirs, but if it is not on the curriculum it won't be.
Glór na Móna
# Posted on February 26th 2008 by buzzer
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I'm from England and i listen to Trad morning noon and night when i get the chance. Now what you're saying shocks me, it seems logging onto youtube, that you're more likely in the future to be taught the music of Eire if you come from Japan, Korea,USA or Canada yet if you come from the occupied 6 it's not compulsory. You're having a F*****g laugh? Where's that E-Mail address?
# Posted on February 27th 2008 by upmine3
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
In my long experience in the public schools in the USA, if something is locked into the curriculum, for better or for worse, it is protected. If it is left out, of the curriculum, it becomes marginalized and you can kiss it goodbye.
# Posted on February 27th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Heres the email address if you would like to support this
rtrigg@ccea.org.uk
Thank you all for the interest and concern
# Posted on February 27th 2008 by glornamona
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
I do not wish any young or otherwise person.
To be forced to learn any ONE type of music.
I have in my experience seen to many good
young musicians,being force to learn Irish
Traditional Music,, And when they were able
to - {talk back} its the first thing they
gave up.. {as in forever}
After the Rudiments of Music,,I think they
should be asked question about - There own
local music {wharever forms} plus Other
world music's- The America's, Eastern music,
African, and Islamic, music's..But even in
Classical Music, Great as thy are Mozart and
Beethoven are not enought.Theirs early to
modern classical music- Handle to Soshtakovich,
would do me.And all music exams{General} should
be based on this - And no.. I havent forgot POP
music of their own modern culture, Is just as
important as Traditional Music.
To finnish,
I would not like to force anyone into anything,
But to not have Local Traditional Music,s in
you Exam - is just a Sham,,
jim,,,
# Posted on February 27th 2008 by FIDDLE4
Re: Trad Music on the curriculum in the 6 counties
Yes, if school children are learning about music, they should of course be given some insight into what the traditional music of their own country is all about.
Here in the "6 counties", as you put it, there is much for them to learn and I feel it might help the youngsters here to understand that they really do have far more in common than that which has divided their parents in recent years e.g. all those tunes that are played by both sides of the imaginary fence up here.
However the information should cover all aspects of the traditional music of their area & I say this because I suspect that what happens at present in some cases, given that the system here is to a large extent divided, is that children in Catholic schools may well get an insight into Irish traditional music, but the musical traditions of their Protestant neighbours may well be largely ignored, so perpetuating the myth that only Catholics play Irish Traditional Music. A similar biased approach may well exist within Protestant schools.
A dozen years ago, I felt so strongly that school children in both Protestant & Catholic schools here should be learning at least a little traditional music, that I gave up my 9 to 5 job & started going round many of my local primary schools teaching traditional music. Interestingly, today, more Protestant than Catholic schools are making use of my services.
It wasn't all plain sailing though & initially I had a meeting with a senior member of the music dept. of our local Education Board, who assured me that absolutely none of his musical students would be allowed to have anything to do with - "that KAKKETY KAA Music" as he called it. However, this less than encouraging remark didn't frighten me off & undaunted, I went ahead & over the years have at least introduced the art of playing traditional music to 2 or 3 thousand kids by now & also hopefully helped to create the impression of the humble Tin Whistle as a user friendly, musical tool rather than some sort of dangerous Nationalist/Catholic weapon.
We are fortunate in this area though, because a number of the secondary schools here, both Catholic & Protestant, have thriving traditional groups, but of course others have none & from what I hear, the children in those other schools don't get nearly as much info on trad music as I would like.
In addition to my tuition, my wife & I also give a number of musical presentations each year, to some of the local schools, when we take along numerous instruments from both traditions, but of course, rather than labour any notion of two traditions, we simply play a variety of locally played music, mixing & matching the instruments. So they simply see & hear music of a Scottish & Irish flavour, Fife Marches, Jig, Reels, Flings etc. played on Fiddle, Fife, Bodhran, Flute, Lambeg, Hammered Dulcimer, Banjo, Bagpipes, Concertina, Whistle etc etc. We just share a good time with the music, with them & hope that some of them might be inspired enough to try playing something too.
We have in the past been invited to play at "Ulster Scots" events, but on a number of occasions were asked not to bring the Harp as they considered it had nothing to do with Scots or Ulster Scots traditions. Of course, when I pointed out that the Harp was such a strong musical symbol in Scotland & at one time more or less considered to be the National Instrument, they looked at me as if I had two heads. Indeed some folks are still not too sure about the Fiddle either until I mention that of course Rabbie Burns played one too & that usually helps.
There are three other groups of musicians that I know of, who go round the schools here doing great work, by introducing children to the delights of traditional music. Luckily for them, some of them are funded & can work full time to achieve their goals. Unfortunately, we receive no help from the likes of the local Arts Council, other than advice about applying for Lottery grants, so sadly, we see far fewer children each year than we would like.
So, in an ideal situation, I think yes, each school pupil should receive some information on the trad music of their own are. They should also be given the opportunity to see & hear traditional music being played by trad musicians & they should each leave primary school being able to play at least a few tunes on an instrument. All that would take a mere 30 mins per week, per class. Surely that's not too much to ask for, is it? In the 6 counties, this would allow the teacher to not only tick their music box but also their cross-community box.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention glornamona. I will of course send Roger an e-Mail.
Cheers
Dick
P.S. Thanks to C for the heads up!
# Posted on March 1st 2008 by Ptarmigan