A day in the life of the music Manager at Gallions

I get to look after the incredible Music provision at Gallions Primary School in Beckton East London. At this school every child receives access to weekly musicianship lessons and from Y2 (6-11) until they leave they also receive weekly instrumental lessons on a String instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass) taught by music specialists brought in for their backgrounds in Kodaly and Colourstrings two extremely child friendly ways to not only learn music but to hear it, feel it and see it.

My job is to ensure that the children at the school are able to take advantage of as many musical opportunities as possible and that the children are engaged. And also see that the classroom teachers work effectively with the music specialists. I also have to bring in funds to financially support this as the school doesn't charge our parents for this. It is all part of the school's creative curriculum.

So a day in the life....

Well last Monday was a particularly insane day.

Getting in nice and early I had to get 3 rooms set up for music activities throughout the morning. Setting the hall up for the KS2 singing assembly, clearing the Cello room for Y1 and reception musicianship lessons and preparing the main musicianship room for a concert.

Next a quick run around the wings to speak to teachers about where children will be today and when I will be pulling people out of class. Despite sending emails with plans for the day you always need to confirm face to face to ensure everyone knows the game plan.

Then I meet and greet our visitors the Magnard Ensemble! the good people at Cavatina (https://cavatina.net/) organised and funded the quartet to come and perform a chamber Music concert at the school. As I took them to the Music Centre I showed them the school with all it's amazing artwork on the walls and explain the schools creative curriculum and my role. As they enter the music centre guest are always taken back by the wall of cellos that greet them as they enter. As I leave them to set up I go and round up the 45 children they will be entertaining. I brief the children on what they will be watching and though it is classical music if you give it a try you might just enjoy it. And that these are professionals people that get paid to perform music (you don't just have to be the next Stormzy).

The quartet performed for the Y5s that make up one half of our Senior Orchestra and a handful of children that have afterschool lessons. Comprised of a flute, oboe, French Horn and clarinet the 4 brilliant musicians performed a number of pieces whilst still taking time to speak to children about their different instruments and describing the pieces they were playing. Given we had some of the most challenging children in attendence the engagement was incredible. I was taken back at how they sat and listened attentively and how most had different instruments and pieces they enjoyed. The highlight was when after the Oboe solo the players asked what the difference was between that and the piccolo solo before? Some simply replied it was better. Which had us all chuckling and the piccolo player took it well. But the pupil didn't say it to make a joke as he (sometimes does in class), he said it because he genuinely enjoyed the piece more. Love it!

Then it was off to the Creative Schools Symposium at Stratford Arts Centre. Symposium is a day when schools are able to connect with different art organisations that working together could create exciting new projects for their pupils to engage in. Throughout the day there are talks and seminars with examples of best practice to hopefully inspire all to get more creativity into their day. As part of proceedings we were invited to perform for the attendees during the lunch break. We took the Y4s and a handful of Y5s to perform 3 songs that the choir has been working on this. Year. I could feel the nerves as we walked in and the children saw all the people they would be performing to. This switched to excitement in the dressing room before a final prep talk before leading them out to perform. They were superb! For some it was the first time they had performed outside of Gallions and the applause they got at the end would have done wonders for their confidence and self-esteem. I watched on beaming with pride.

We received many comments from guests on how good they were and how much positivity they had brought to the day. The power of music!

Then there was a mad rush back to Beckton so Emma could teach Y6 musicianship helping them to prepare for their performing arts production in 4 weeks time. For me it was back to emails and finalising the logistics choir's next performance at Gallions Reach on Saturday. Ensuring we have all the permissions from parents, song books, organising rehearsals, confirming plans with Senior Leadership all takes time that most music teachers don't have and as such opportunities get lost and the kids miss out. Having a music manager means that the kids can have a morning of live classical music and singing in exciting new venues.

A final check in with the teachers for feedback from the day and though my work is never really done I call it a day.

There we have it a day in a life of a Music Manager... every school should have one really but what do you think?

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