VOL. 103 NO. 4 CONTENTS

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REGULARS 5 Editorial 6 News 10 Noticeboard 11 Diary 12 Opinion: Time to rebalance?

Anne Templer on the closure of HE music courses and other trends 20 MDEE 2024 in review

David Kettle’s impressions of this year’s Music & Drama Education Expo 29 Column: tech

Dom Sigalas explores the potential of Cubase’s Audio to MIDI Chords feature 35 Column: mental health and wellbeing

Kent Music shares tips for maintaining good vocal health

36 Online teaching materials

A preview of April’s resources 38 Column: MU

The newly updated Charter for Visiting Music Teachers 40 New products: tech

Kate Rounding reveals her top picks for the month 41 Reviews

MT’s expert reviewers share their verdicts on Ableton Live 12, Violin Junior, Ex Cathedra’s ChoirMaker, and A Musical Year for piano 50 Q&A

MT meets Steven Berryman, president of the Chartered College of Teaching

FEATURES 26 Music festivals: untapped potential?

David Barton describes the performance opportunities of local festivals and how these might be alternatives to exams 30 Sally Daunt: Lifetime Achievement award-winner

MT meets the educator and chair of the British Dyslexia Association Music Committee 32 Shirley J. Thompson OBE

The composer-conductor discusses her career, the musical canon and music education

www.musicteachermagazine.co.uk

ASSESSMENT & QUALIFICATIONS 15 Speaking the same language

Researchers from BMERG provide an overview of assessment in instrumental music lessons 18 Qualifying overseas

James Ingham interviews a Kenya-based teacher about the iPGCE and its impact on her teaching 23 Music Medals for piano

ABRSM’s Russell Jackson shares the thinking behind a new resource for beginner pianists 48 Column: quick tips

Jane Werry’s bitesize advice on feedback and assessment for KS3 upwards

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