Agenda item

It was reported that since the first lockdown in March 2020 Ceredigion Music Service had continued to deliver instrumental/vocal lessons on the Microsoft Teams platform with the aim of ensuring that pupils continued to engage with tutors and demonstrated progression on their musical learning journey.

 

The service was the first in Wales to deliver virtual lessons and as such demonstrated sector leading practice which resulted in the Service, guided by Gareth Lanagan from the e-sgol project, providing training and assistance to other music services across Wales. The Music Service staff worked tirelessly to adapt to new ways of working, learning to use the different platforms needed to deliver online lessons – eg Flip Grid and Teams. The virtual provision ensured that pupils were able to continue to engage - with approximately 55% of pupils continuing with their studies.

 

Members were informed that Securing a virtual provision throughout the period March 2020 to March 2021 had been a major accomplishment for the Service. Other Local Authorities in comparison drastically reduced their provision with some discontinuing all Music Service provision during periods of lockdown. 

 

Numbers:

 

665 pupils were able to access tuition during the year

 

Strings                        91

Woodwind                 144

Brass                         139

Piano                         135

Percussion                  53

Vocal                           64

Harp                            14

 

In comparison numbers for the previous year were as follows:

 

Strings                       356

Woodwind                 196

Brass                         315

Piano                           57

Percussion                104

Vocal                           98

Harp                            55 

 

In reviewing the past year and planning for the future the Service acknowledged the following merits and challenges of a virtual provision:

 

Merits

 

Ø  The Music Service was able to continue to engage with pupils

Ø  Continuity and progression for pupils

Ø  Experimenting with innovative ideas such as the Virtual Peri Tour – an introduction to instrumental/vocal lessons with large numbers of pupils able to be reached in one session

Ø  Savings in terms of budget and time spent travelling from one location to another

Ø  The West End of Wales project has demonstrated how online performances could serve to promote the Music Service and reach new audiences

Challenges

 

Ø  Internet connection including poor sound quality can cause issues for pupils and tutors

Ø  Difficulties in tuning instruments – stringed instruments in particular

Ø  Difficulties in providing accompaniment as a result of online delay

Ø  Difficulties in repairing instruments

Ø  Absence of group/ensemble/concert work and the associated social interaction  which encourages progression

Ø  Difficulties for beginners without the necessary initial practical tuition and demonstration

Ø  Creating online performances such as the West End of Wales project performances requires a high degree of technological input and external expertise  

 

Factors being considered in moving forward

It was reported that acknowledging that the Service has adapted well and had explored new and innovative ways of delivering its provision the Music Service and the Corporate Manager for Culture would consider the following in moving forward: 

 

·           When safe and purposeful to do so recommencing face to face provision in schools would enable the Service to rebuild numbers to pre-pandemic levels and re-establish school ensembles

·           Virtual provision could be offered to schools at certain times as a trial in in the first instance. This would help with timetabling issues which result from other school activities such as school trips, GCSE and A Level examinations etc.

·           Virtual provision could enable the Music Service to reach the wider community e.g. Care Homes, Rural Community Groups, Hospital Wards. Pre-recorded performances or live streamed performances by individuals or ensembles could be made available as lunchtime or evening concerts

·           A series of pre-recorded demonstrations similar to the Virtual Peri Tour could be created and made available to schools or parents enabling the Music Service to reach out to a greater number of potential pupils

·           To enable the service to deliver a high quality virtual provision it would need to overcome some of the connectivity issues and invest in key equipment.

 

In conclusion it was reported that virtual provision in terms of one to one tuition and performances could and would continue to be used in the future – particularly as the threat from further Coronavirus-19 outbreaks continues. Whilst virtual provision had been successful, it cannot however replace the impact and importance of face-to-face tuition. The Music Service would therefore look to develop a blended model for the future, combining virtual and face-to-face provision to ensure the best possible learning experience for its pupils. 

Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to note the report presented and to congratulate the service on their achievement and enthusiasm during this difficult time.