Music and Drama Education Expo 2021

After a short absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, September 2021 saw the return of the Music and Drama Expo. Vinota Karunasaagarar, ISM’s Creative Content Publications Manager, explores the highlights of the event

Above: Vinota Karunasaagarar

Left: Paul Harris, Yogesh Dattani and the panel for Symposium interdependency in music education at MDEE held in November, prior to the changes to COVID-19 regulations in December 2021 Photos: Mark Allen Group Last September saw the return of the annual Music and Drama Education Expo (MDEE), now in its ninth year, and the ISM’s first face-to-face event since the coronavirus pandemic. A lot had changed since the previous Expo in March 2020, held just before the first government lockdown to curb the spread of COVID19, and while at the previous EXPO there were signs requesting attendees to not shake hands and to use hand sanitizers there was nothing to foreshadow what the next few months would hold.

In the year that followed March 2020, the move to hosting online proved to be a valuable alternative to face-to-face events and became a much-needed way for the ISM to connect with the music sector and our members; but it was good to be back in person for a live event with live performances.

‘For those who spend their working lives in one- or two-person departments, or travelling solo between schools or houses to deliver instrumental lessons, the Expo is a much-needed opportunity to talk to others in the same boat, ask questions, gain advice, and make lasting connections,’ notes Harriet Clifford, editor of Music Teacher magazine, whose publisher the Mark Allen Group runs the MDEE. The atmosphere on the Friday morning was one of palpable excitement, with teachers networking like they’d never networked before.’

The 2021 Expo brought some changes that were not related to the pandemic, such as moving the venue from Olympia in West London to the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington, North London which, judging by conversations with fellow attendees, appeared to be a popular move due to accessibility – for those travelling into London for the Expo, access to both Kings Cross and Euston stations, and the availability of a hotel with parking on the doorstep of the BDC, was appreciated.

The ISM was out in force over the two-day event, with many staff members at our stall as it was a welcome opportunity for face-to-face chats with our members, many of whom we had not seen since prior to the pandemic. We also brought the ISM’s expertise to the event, with our own Dr Jodie Underhill speaking on the panel SymposiumInterdependency in music education on day one of the event together with Michelle James (Sing Up), Phil Castang (Music Education Council), David Barnard (Musicians’ Union) and Don Gillthorpe (Music Teachers’ Association).

The panel discussed what type of eco-system is needed in order to make music education effective for schools and young people. The discussion was broad-ranging, covering the role of music education hubs, funding, resources, accountability measures and partnership working and professional isolation. Underhill outlined the ISM’s call for hubs to have greater flexibility in how they work so that they can best respond to the local need, and for more focus on outcomes rather than outputs. She also raised the detrimental impact of the EBacc, stating: ’We know that music education is vitally important to pupils, teachers and parents. Too many young people now don’t have the opportunity to take music at GCSE and A Level. It is important that young people get the chance to study the subjects they want to and aren’t constrained because of lack of funding, a narrowed curriculum or for want of a music teacher.’

Harriet Clifford commented that this first session set the tone nicely for the whole Expo. Interdependency, or working together, within the sector was approached from all angles across both days, whether in the context of connecting with other school music departments, making stronger links with local music hubs, or thinking about structural connections at a higher level.

Above: Attendees at the ISM stall during MDEE held in November, prior to the changes to COVID-19 regulations in December 2021 Photos: Mark Allen Group

See page 26 to read about Music for Youth Remix Prom 2021

On day one we also saw author, composer and ISM member Paul Harris speak about sight-reading. The session focused on a new approach that removed anxiety and increased confidence and accuracy. Harris, who also delivers seminars based on his book The Virtuoso Teacher for the ISM Trust and delivered the popular webinar Unconditional Teaching, again for the ISM Trust and to coincide with the launch of his book of the same name, joined us at the ISM stand to greet attendees and answer their questions. His presence created quite a crowd at our stand, with many fans waiting their turn to take photos with the popular author. Harris also echoed our feelings that it’s good to be back, and expressed his delight at being able to attend events and to get back to delivering seminars again.

On day two Yogesh Dattani, who produced Indian Takeaway: Raˉg and Taˉl basics with the ISM Trust, provided an introduction to the same topic on the Performance Stage. This was a memorable event for both Dattani and the ISM Trust as Indian Takeaway was launched at the MDEE in March 2020 and was a finalist at the Music & Drama Education Awards in March 2021. It was lovely to be back at the event that started it all to provide a brief sample of the resource to attendees. The Performance Stage proved to be a great venue to showcase a sample of Indian Takeaway as by the end of the session Dattani had the audience following his lesson by clapping and singing, while he played the tabla ˉ . Dattani was also available at the ISM stand for questions and answers with attendees and provided the lively atmosphere that the second day of the event needed.

Preparing, attending, and showcasing at an event like the Expo takes a lot of work, particularly as part of this was done while we were still in a lockdown and at a stage when we weren’t sure whether a live event would go ahead. But for those in music education the event provides a valuable opportunity to network and connect with each other, gain CPD and see what’s happening in the sector. As Clifford commented: ‘At the end of the two days, I was left feeling hopeful about what’s to come. If the speakers, delegates, and exhibitors at the Expo are anything to go by, our young people’s musical futures are in safe hands.’

We are delighted to announce that we are again running our Teach Meets for those who work in primary, including early years, secondary and music hubs. This will be our next free music education event and is open to all educators and leaders, no matter what your role is or what stage of your career you are at. To sign up visit: ism.org/professional-development/seminars