Musical Metropolis Conference: Making the most of music education in London

On 12 January 2012 over 200 people from all areas of music education attended the Mayor's Musical Metropolis conference at the Southbank Centre.

The conference brought together speakers and delegates with an enormous range of experience, skills, knowledge and access to resources. A number of challenges were set out during the day:

• The type of music is not important - there is simply good music and bad music
• Be clear in your own mind what great music-making sounds like - otherwise how can you plan for it?
• Challenge young people to develop as musicians and nurture their creativity - they're capable of incredible things
• London's tens of thousands of disadvantaged children must be at the heart of your work
• The quality of teachers, and other professional educators, is the biggest single factor in closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children
• Ensure schools are central to music hubs and not just consumers
• Be bold, creative and aspirational
• Join forces across London, make ambitious plans and celebrate our young musicians
• We are stewards of London's musical resources - lets be clever and fair in the way we use them

Watch the conference presentations

• Welcome and introduction - MUNIRA MIRZA, Mayoral Advisor on Culture and Youth
• A new musical landscape - DARREN HENLEY, Managing Director, Classic FM
• The Arts Council’s changing role - MOIRA SINCLAIR, Executive Director London, Arts Council England
• Findings from the London Music Education Survey - PAUL BROADHURST, Senior Cultural Policy Officer, Greater London Authority

Visions & Challenges for Music Education in London

• KEVAN COLLINS, Chief Executive, Education Endowment Foundation
• JOHN STEPHENS OBE, Music Education Consultant (film)
• GILLIAN MOORE MBE, Head of Contemporary Culture, Southbank Centre
• KATHRYN MCDOWELL CBE, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra

Working together across London

• SEAN GREGORY, Director of Creative Learning, Barbican Guildhall
• LINCOLN ABBOTTS, Director, Music For Youth
• CHRISTINA COKER, Chief Executive, Youth Music
• KAREN BROCK, Chair, The Mayor’s Music Education Steering Group

Call to action

• MUNIRA MIRZA, Mayoral Advisor on Culture and Youth

Download the conference resources

• London Music Education Survey

• An article about the challenge facing music education by Marcus Davey OBE, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Roundhouse
• An article in response to the National Plan for Music Education by Francis Seriau, Founder of Tech Music Schools
• Information about the Mayor’s Big Busk – an opportunity for 11-25 year-old musicians to showcase their talents during the Olympic Games