Jill Reeves leads the session about using Figurenotes with people with Autism
Figurenotes Conference 2010
Our Education and Training Manager, Cath Sewell, reports on the success of the recent Figurenotes Conference
After months of planning and preparation, Drake Music Scotland’s Figurenotes Conference “I Can Play Music” took place at Glasgow’s City Halls on 26th November. The conference was the culmination of a 2-year project piloting Figurenotes in Scotland which was funded through Creative Scotland’s Inspire Fund.
Over 150 delegates and guests attended to learn more about Figurenotes and the impact it has had on music education in Scotland.
We were delighted to welcome keynote speakers Markku Kaikkonen and Kaarlo Uusitalo, inventors of Figurenotes, whose statement; ‘Making music should be a basic human right – Figurenotes is helping to place the joy and delight of making music in reach of all”, really set the tone for the event.
The whole day was a great success, two highlights of which were the full audience participation in a performance of “Move Your Body” led by Sistema Scotland and also the iCompose workshop where the delegates very own Figurenotes compositions were performed by two musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Presentations from inspiring teachers such as Annona Thornton from Lilybank School, Inverclyde, made evident the powerful impact of Figurenotes on access to music for those with Additional Support Needs, and the Greenmill School whole-class string project demonstrated its equally successful application to mainstream education.
Everyone went away from the event excited and inspired about the potential of Figurenotes, and we very much look forward to building new partnerships for the future of Figurenotes in Scotland.
“Really inspiring – really interesting – really well organised – Bravo.”
Anthony George, City of Edinburgh Council
“Excellent conference which has given me lots of inspirational ideas and enthusiasm to try out in my classroom.”
Alison Strachan, Arbroath Academy
