Useful Links
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National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS)
Some useful resources sprang up online from this fabulous organisation during lockdown.
- For EYFS their Mini Music Makers and their ‘Wee Sing’ series via their YouTube Channel are outstanding.
- For KS1 their Sing & Smile for ages 5-8 series via their YouTube Channel is outstanding.
- For KS2 their #NCOSdaily challenge songs are brilliant.
All songs that NYCOS use are songs based on the Kodaly method of singing and are fabulous for developing musicianship skills and you can purchase a whole host of songs in their ‘Singing games and rhymes’ books available from their website shop.
NYMAZ (Early Years Music Network)
Some fabulous resources – but particularly their NYMAZ: Early Years Songbook: Songs for Modern Childhoods, which is either free with membership (not expensive) or only £5 without!
Soundpots (Stoke-on-Trent City Music Service/Make Some Noise)
Again, an excellent series of videos sprang up during lockdown on the City Music Service YouTube channel. Led by hugely experienced practitioners for the EYFS age group.
Voices Foundation Virtual Singing Assemblies
The Voices Foundation recorded 33 virtual singing assemblies during lockdown plus some particular videos on repertoire – all of which are excellent.
MusicShare 10-minute Virtual Singing Sessions
Don’t forget to tap into our 10-minute singing sessions. There are already nearly 20 available online via our MusicShare YouTube channel. Further sessions will continue to be added.
Junior Voiceworks (Oxford University Press)
This is an outstanding series of books and the 2 Junior Voiceworks books are particularly brilliant for this age category and are a photocopiable resource.
Schools Singing Programme: Diocese of Leeds Music
Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme – YouTube
This excellent schools singing programme recorded many virtual singing sessions during lockdown– all of which are excellent.
Sing for Pleasure
Sing For Pleasure – The National Choral Charity
A National Choral Charity committed to spreading the enjoyment of singing. They have some excellent Junior and Senior Songbooks, which are excellent value for money!
The Music Partnership
The Music Partnership is a group of the region’s leading quality music education providers, committed to working together to ensure all young people have the opportunity to sing, learn an instrument and perform as part of an ensemble or choir. It receives funding from the Department of Education via Arts Council England to deliver the ‘National Plan for Music Education’.
It covers the local authority areas of Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford & Wrekin and work with the three music services in these regions as well as around thirty other music partners, of which we are very grateful to be one.
Access this website for links to the individual Facebook and YouTube channels, which have a whole host of resources made in lockdown as well as information about the amazing services they provide.
Association of British Choral Directors
Association of British Choral Directors (abcd.org.uk)
The Association of British Choral Directors (abcd) is the only UK organisation which is devoted entirely to supporting those leading choral music, both amateur and professional.
It is committed to promoting, improving and maintaining opportunities for the professional development of all those leading singing of any kind, whether in the classroom or in the community.
Its members represent nearly 2000 choral groups and include teachers, composers, singers and students, leading singing of all kinds.
Music Mark
Music Mark is a membership organisation, subject association and charity. Its membership consists of Music Education Services and Hubs, their teaching and support teams; schools; individuals; NYMOS; HE/FE bodies; Hub and Corporate Partners.
On behalf of its members, partners and the wider sector, Music Mark advocates for, and champions, a government supported, high-quality, music education provision for all school aged children and young people which addresses diversity, equity and inclusion at its core.
The website contains hugely valuable resources, not least in this current pandemic with help and advice readily on offer.
Ex Cathedra
Ex Cathedra: SingMaker – YouTube
Ex Cathedra’s excellent team have also made some lockdown videos including many of their brilliant songs.
British Kodaly Academy
British Kodály Academy – Music Education (kodaly.org.uk)
Links to outstanding accredited training courses.
Britten Friday Afternoons
Snape Maltings’ Friday Afternoons
Friday Afternoons is a Britten Pears Arts led singing project connecting teachers and young people with contemporary composers, through creating high quality repertoire, resources and training to encourage challenging and exciting music making experiences for all. This is an amazing free resource.
CSA
In The Community – Choir Schools Association
MusicShare is one of many programmes born out of the ‘Chorister Outreach Programme’ scheme and many cathedrals still continue similar work. We are hugely grateful to the Choir Schools’ Assocation for all its support over many years.
Sing Up
Sing Up – Love learning, start singing
We were funded for many years through the Sing Up scheme and this government initiative still continues today – there is a huge wealth of resources for schools with various membership options.
FOSYM (Friends of Staffordshire's Young Musicians)
A registered charity whose objective is to advance the musical education of children and young people resident in Staffordshire.