Training opportunities (external providers)

Externally provided music education training opportunities are listed below. We are signposting these opportunities as we believe they are beneficial for music educators in Dorset and Somerset. However, we do not necessarily endorse the providers or the content of the training.

Spring Term 2025

Unlocking Music Technology Part 4: Creative Sound Design in the Classroom

This CPD session will explore the power of sound design and how it can transform learning in music, media, and creative arts.

Led by Andrew Ferguson (aka Nomine), an industry expert who has designed thousands of sounds for Hollywood production houses, game developers, and top-tier music releases.

This hands-on session will demystify sound design, making it accessible for all educators. Whether you teach primary, secondary, GCSE, or beyond, you’ll discover engaging ways to introduce sound for film, games, and music production while helping learners build essential skills in audio editing, effects processing, and creative experimentation. The session will include:

  • Live demonstrations using found sounds recorded on a phone and transformed into something new
  • Techniques for using stock sounds & processing audio within a DAW
  • How sound design enhances music production – from transitions to cinematic builds
  • Cross-curricular applications – linking music to media, film, and digital arts

Whether you’re new to sound design or looking for fresh ideas, this session is designed to inspire creativity and help your learners think outside the box.

    Carbon Literacy Training (Music Mark)

    • 3rd March & 10th March
    • 9.30am – 12:30pm
    • Online (Zoom)
    • Music Mark members only

    Join us for this 2-part Carbon Literacy Certified training course to help you build understanding and develop clear and personalised next steps for your organisation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    Visit Music Mark for more information: Carbon Literacy Training | Music Mark

    Sounds of Intent webinars

    The aim of these webinars is to provide a series of practical implementation ideas to support hubs and schools in inclusive music making. Professor Adam Ockelford, founder of Sounds of Intent and Sophie Gray, Services for Education, will share their experiences of planning and running inclusive programmes in education settings.

    The remaining programme for Spring Term 2025 is:

    • 5th March 4.30pm – Tuning Into Autism – resources for preschool autistic children and those with speech/language/communication needs (Dr Caitlin Shaughnessy, Professor Adam Ockelford and Sophie Gray)
    • 9th April 4.30pm – Supporting practitioners working with visually impaired children (With The Amber Trust)

    You are invited to sign up for the webinar series here https://forms.office.com/e/mvv2TU8Fgs.

    Visit the Sounds of Intent website to see their latest music resources for supporting inclusive music making: https://soundsofintent.org/en/music-programmes/index

    Community Music Now

    Community Music Now is a collaborative production between Sound Sense, Leeds Beckett University and AMP, exploring innovative practice in community music.

    This two-day event is suitable for both emerging and experienced practitioners and researchers, with opportunities to connect, share, celebrate and learn from each other. 

    Programme highlights include:

    SATURDAY 1 MARCH

    • Manasamitra – Supriya Nagarajan & Duncan Chapman
    • Sounds Better CIC – Liv McLennan & Kevin Plummer
    • Brass Bands England & Shepherd Brass Band
    • Community Music Platform

    SUNDAY 2 MARCH

    • Cohesive Harmonies – Dr Tenley Martin, Rebecca Denniff, Debbie Armour & Camille Maalawy
    • Liquid Listening – Lawrence Bradshaw
    • AMP Plugged In Young Producers
    • ICCM researchers panel
    • Practical careers sessions, including mentoring skills, being self-employed and applying for funding.

    Visit Eventbrite to find out more: Community Music Now Tickets, Sat, Mar 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM | Eventbrite

    Take Art

    Take Art continues to work with partners to bring you free or subsidised training opportunities to strengthen your skills, experience and understanding of creativity and how it supports child development.  Our aim is to offer valuable, research-based training whilst enabling you to connect to the joy that creativity can release.

    Coming up and open for bookings are:

    Building Confidence using Music in Early Childhood

    Take Art’s popular 6 session x 1.5 hours course via Zoom in the evenings

    FREE places for people working in early years in Somerset (limited numbers available – grab your space as soon as possible).

    This practical and interactive course is for anyone who wants to improve their skills and knowledge and connect to the joy of early years music.

    7.30 pm – 9.00 pm Wednesdays on 26 February | 5 March | 12 March | 19 March | 26 March | 2 April 2025

    For further information and to book go to the Take Art website.

    Nurturing Creativity in the Early Years

    A full day conference on music and arts in early years education

    9.30 – 4.00 pm Friday 21 March 2025 at Exeter College, Future Skills Centre, Exeter EX5 2LJ

    £55.  Includes lunch, workshops and presentations.

    For information and link to booking page click here.

    Keynote by Dr Susan Young:  Musical Play – What is musical play?  Why foster it?  What do children gain?  Why is it valuable?

    Take Art have teamed up with Devon Education Music Hub to bring you this conference which offers music educators, early years practitioners, childminders, and students the tools and inspiration to integrate music and creativity into everyday learning experiences. 

    Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood

    Would you like to develop and enhance your skills in early years music?
    Would you like to understand more about making music with young children?
    Would you like to learn in a supportive environment?
    Would you like to form a community of learning to explore with others?
    Would you like a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification?

    If you answered YES to any of these questions, then the Certificate for Music Educators: Early Childhood is the course for you! Registration is now open for our 2025-2026 Cohort. 

    Full details and application information can be found on the website

    Course fee bursaries of up to 100% available from Take Art (subject to their funding). For bursary enquiries email earlyyears@takeart.org

    Free Inclusive and Accessible Music Making CPD with Alex Lupo

    Alex Lupo is a drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has played, recorded and written music all over the world. He has collaborated with and worked alongside PJ Harvey, Charlotte Harding (Faber), Charles Hazlewood and the British Paraorchestra. Alex is a member of the Terra Collective – a newly curated Bristol-based collaborative large-scale ensemble rooted in inclusion and innovation. He has written music for The BBC, Aardman Animations, Channel 4, Cartoon Network, Reflective Films, Treasure Tower Films, Lucky G, Rinse the Sync, Golden Mole, and Lift Music among others.

    Visit https://www.alexlupomusic.com/ to find out more about Alex and to listen to some of his works.

    Alex is partnering with the Octagon Music Hub to provide CPD sessions for free for the music workforce during the Spring and Summer Terms.

    Social Model

    Wednesday 19th of March 16:00 to 18:00 (Online)

    Discover how the Social Model of disability can transform your music practice, fostering inclusion and accessibility for all. Gain practical insights and creative strategies to break down barriers and create a welcoming space for everyone.

    Book your places here

    Other sessions coming soon:

    • Autism and Neurodivergence (Creating inclusive, empowering musical environments)
    • Music Technology and Adaptive Instruments

    Benedetti Mini Sessions

    The Benedetti Mini Virtual Sessions are short, focused workshops designed to provide in depth and detailed exploration on a wide variety of topics. There are practical sessions concentrating on technique, physicality and wellbeing, as well as discussion sessions and a focus on personal and professional development for students and teachers.

    For Instrumental Teachers:

      • Ensuring a Holistic Music Education, whilst Honouring Determination and Talent – Amy Beth Horman & Rachel Cooper | Tuesday 25 February | 7:00-8:00pm (UK)
      • Instructing, Teaching or Coaching – Creating a Positive Learning Environment – Stewart Wilson | Wednesday 12 March | 7:00-8:00pm (UK)
      • Building Strong Foundations (2-Part Series) – Andrea Gajic | Session 1: Wednesday 19 March | 7:30-8:30pm (UK) Session 2: Wednesday 26 March | 7:30-8:30pm (UK)

      Open for Observation:

      • When Violinists Go Rogue: The Viola Edition – Clifton Harrison | Tuesday 4 March | 7:00-8:00pm (UK)
      • Introduction to Creating Musical Arrangements & Using Loop Pedals – The Ayoub Sisters | Thursday 27 March | 6:00-7:00pm (UK)

      For Classroom Teachers:

        • Introduction to Bucket Drumming in Primary School Classes – Amanda Currie | Thursday 6 March | 4:00-5:00pm (UK)

        For more details visit: https://www.benedettifoundation.org/mini-sessions


        Summer Term 2025

        Free Inclusive and Accessible Music Making CPD with Alex Lupo

        Alex Lupo is a drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has played, recorded and written music all over the world. He has collaborated with and worked alongside PJ Harvey, Charlotte Harding (Faber), Charles Hazlewood and the British Paraorchestra. Alex is a member of the Terra Collective – a newly curated Bristol-based collaborative large-scale ensemble rooted in inclusion and innovation. He has written music for The BBC, Aardman Animations, Channel 4, Cartoon Network, Reflective Films, Treasure Tower Films, Lucky G, Rinse the Sync, Golden Mole, and Lift Music among others.

        Visit https://www.alexlupomusic.com/ to find out more about Alex and to listen to some of his works.

        Alex is partnering with the Octagon Music Hub to provide these CPD sessions for free for the music workforce.

        Reflective Practice

        Wednesday 23rd April 16:00 to 18:00 (Online)

        Deepen your understanding of inclusive music-making through reflective practice. Explore how self-awareness and critical thinking can shape your approach and help you grow as a practitioner.

        Taking a Flexible Approach

        Tuesday 20th May 16:00 to 18:00 (Online)

        Explore why taking a flexible approach is important in inclusive music practice. This session offers fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to adapt your methods and meet the diverse needs of your participants.

        Understanding and responding to behaviour

        Thursday 19th June 16:00 to 18:00 (Online)

        Explore effective strategies for understanding and responding to behaviour in inclusive music settings. Together we will explore ways of creating an environment where every participant feels supported and understood.

        Book your places here

        Other sessions coming soon:

        • Autism and Neurodivergence (Creating inclusive, empowering musical environments)
        • Music Technology and Adaptive Instruments

        Sounds of Intent webinars

        The aim is to provide a series of practical implementation ideas to support hubs and schools in inclusive music making. Professor Adam Ockelford, founder of Sounds of Intent and Sophie Gray, Services for Education, will share their experiences of planning and running inclusive programmes in education settings.

        The programme for Summer Term 2025 is:

        • 7th May 4.30pm – Exploration of the Count Me In resource in Special Schools (Professor Adam Ockelford, Sophie Gray)
        • 4th June 4.30pm – Supporting practitioners working with hearing impaired children 

        You are invited to sign up for the webinar series here https://forms.office.com/e/mvv2TU8Fgs.

        Visit the Sounds of Intent website to see their latest music resources for supporting inclusive music making: https://soundsofintent.org/en/music-programmes/index.