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Every young person in Wales given free access to bilingual music tuition platform

27 Oct 2022 3 minute read
Photo Welsh Government

A new digital platform launching today will give every child and young person in Wales free access to bilingual music tuition.

Charanga Cymru is available to all schools in Wales as a teaching and learning resource to support the National Plan for Music Education.

The bilingual platform has been developed in partnership with the Welsh Government, Charanga and the Welsh Local Government Association.

Charanga is already widely used in schools across the UK, with schools paying a subscription fee but it will be free of charge to schools across Wales, thanks to Welsh Government funding.

All teachers in Wales will be able to register and access the platform from 27 October.

The launch of the platform supports the National Music Service for Wales in widening access to music tuition and education, ensuring more children and young people can benefit from opportunities to learn to play an instrument as well as singing and making music in our schools and communities.

Fantastic

Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: “Charanga is recognised internationally as a fantastic digital music education resource.

“I’m delighted we’re able to build on this success with a fully bilingual version that is bespoke to Wales, which includes culturally-rich content and contributions from Welsh musicians.  I’m delighted that every teacher and pupil will be able to access this engaging resource free of charge which will inspire our young people to develop their musical talent.

“This is the latest step in our implementation of the National Plan for Music Education, and an important way in which we are making access to music education available to all, regardless of their background or where they live.”

To help teachers become familiar with the new platform, a resource pack for six weeks of work will be provided initially for each of the progression steps in the Expressive Arts Area in the Curriculum for Wales.

Children can enjoy singing, listening and responding, improvising, and creating new music.

Training 

The platform also includes an extensive training and professional development plan for teachers and practitioners to ensure that they feel confident to use the platform to support the delivery of music tuition during classroom learning.

The content includes videos and personalised teaching and learning features.

Mari Lloyd Pritchard, Co-ordinator of the National Music Service for Wales, said:“It is important to emphasise that this is a digital platform that is special to us in Wales.

“It is not simply a translation of the platform in England and Scotland, but there is content that is completely Welsh and that shows the wealth of experience and fresh talents we have here.

“Not everyone has the confidence and musical expertise to be able to teach music in class, but Charanga is suitable for everyone.

“Our hope is that this, coupled with the invaluable support of local music services, will become an integral part of the school’s musical life.”


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