Calderdale Music CPD and Support Programme

Our development programme is designed around connections; connecting with others through music and exploring the support and growth that can bring. 

“Music connects us: it transforms lives and brings people together. We’re here to help the people of Calderdale embrace music and the arts within a totally inclusive community.”

Our development programme is designed around connections; connecting with others through music and exploring the support and growth that can bring.

Network meetings

These are opportunities for music subject leads and heads of music to meet and find support.  We will give you updates on music education from Ofsted and national information from the DfE and discuss challenges faced in music education. Through sharing ideas and resources, we will support you, your school and your young people.

The “Joining the dots” Spring term network meetings are located across the region, bringing together music leads from primary, secondary and special schools in a geographical area. These will give a clearer view on the whole journey of provision across all Key Stages, and in all settings, within a localised area. Also providing an opportunity for secondary schools to connect and work with the primary schools that create their future musicians.

These meetings are free to attend.

Choir Leadership

These sessions are for those who are leading choirs and singing groups, especially in primary school settings. We will look to build confidence on leading from the front, choosing repertoire, general vocal skills and performance techniques. Although this will be an exciting and fun practical session, you won’t be asked to sing on your own and no music notation reading is required.

Voices Together Launch

Following the success of our big sing event, Voices Together at the Victoria Theatre in June 2023, we are excited to launch Voices Together 2024; bringing together choirs, singing groups and classes of young people from across Calderdale to unite in song. We are excited to extend this into an additional date in Todmorden for 2024.  This session will explain the processes and expectations leading up to the event and what to expect on the day. The Big Songs will be shared and learnt during the session, after which attendees will be given online access to the resources.

This event is free to attend if you have signed up to attend Voices Together 2024, otherwise it is £15. Both sessions are the same, therefore you do not have to attend based on the location you have selected to perform at.

Calderdale Music Conference: Connections

Join us at The Old Courthouse for a day filled with presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and more – all exploring the value of Connections within the music education sector.  The Calderdale Music conference is ideal for anyone working in or connected to Music Education, with sessions for all levels of knowledge, skills and experience.

Inclusive Singing

The National Plan for Music Education states: “Singing should be the golden thread through these years, with a clear commitment to quality teaching and opportunities for progression for all children”. However, how do we make singing available to ALL? In this session we will look at techniques and approaches that support neurodiversity alongside practical singing and signing sessions with Amy-Rose Atkinson.

Musical Connections

These practical sessions aimed at different age groups or abilities will demonstrate a systematic child friendly game-based method which develops social and musical skills, with a Kodaly inspired approach. We will show you how to incorporate and weave these fun games into your music curriculum, creating a strong evidence base for external or internal assessment. Online resources will be shared with attendees for use beyond the session.

Lower – aimed at KS1 level of development (from ages 4-7)

Upper – this is more suitable for expectations at KS2 (ages 7-11)

How To Book

Autumn term

Spring term

Summer term

We have an introductory offer for full annual membership to our Connections Programme for  2023-2024 for just £50. This includes unlimited access to all events, for 2 members of your school or educational setting.

Alternatively, individual sessions can be booked as priced above.

Once signed up for the events, our team will email an invoice directly to your school for payment.  If you would like to benefit from the annual membership offer, please email finance@calderdalemusic.co.uk asap to set this up in advance.

If you would like to discuss bespoke arrangements for your school’s needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.