Dorset Rural Music School (DRMS)
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, and life to everything… Without music, life would be an error. (Plato)
Great music education is a partnership between classroom teachers, specialist teachers, professional performers. Most children will have their first experience of music at school. It is important that music education of high quality is available to as many of them as possible: it must not become the preserve of those children whose families can afford to pay for music tuition. While music touches the lives of all young people, the disadvantaged can benefit most. Sadly, at Milldown, this is the case and we desire to change this. Music helps bind pupils into the wider life of the school. But schools cannot do everything alone: they need the support of a wider local music structure, this is where we see our partnership with DRMS allowing us to promote music as an area of study, interest and enjoyment.
The value of music as an academic subject lies in its contribution to enjoyment and enrichment, for its social benefits, for those who engage in music seriously as well as for fun. High quality music education enables lifelong participation in, and enjoyment of, music, as well as underpinning excellence and professionalism for those who choose not to pursue a career in music.
Our vision at Milldown, in partnership with DRMS is to enable children from all backgrounds and every age range, from EYFS through to Year 6, to have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument; to make music with others; to learn to sing; and to have the opportunity to progress to the next level of excellence.
A unique challenge of music education is the number of different specialisms, instruments, genres and styles, compositions, and technologies. Although some teachers in our school have some music awareness none are music specialists, they do not have the expertise to develop children’s skills across a range of instruments or experiences. This is where the role of DRMS is so crucial in order to provide teaching and progression routes for those children who need provision beyond what the school can offer.
We desire that more children will experience a combination of classroom teaching, instrumental and vocal tuition, opportunities to play in ensembles and the chance to learn from professional musicians. Music will be the heartbeat of the school, working with parents, via community projects and celebrations, this heartbeat will reach beyond the walls of the school and connect and inspire our community. Loving music, for the joy it brings in itself but also for the wider benefits to learning it brings and the positive wellbeing it promotes.