🔎 Research Short: Secondary Music Teacher Identity

Our Research and Data Manager Dr Kerry Bunkhall spoke with Christopher Dalladay about his recent paper, published in the British Journal of Music Education.

🔗 Discover more: tinyurl.com/2np95h8a

📣 Meet the Sponsor: ABRSM

ABRSM is The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a global music education charity.  They offer face-to-face and digital exams, sheet music, recordings, apps and courses for students and teachers.

🔗: abrsm.org

📝 Jen’s Journal!

Jen reflects on the start of term, shares what her first few weeks as Music Mark’s CEO have been like, and discusses the recent confirmation from the DfE that Etio will become the delivery partner for the new National Centre for Arts Education (England).

🔗: tinyurl.com/4m3tnxkc

Don’t miss the Music Mark Higher Education Conference 2027! 🎓️

📅 6 May 2027
⏰ 9am - 5pm
📍 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

🐦️ Music Mark members: Don’t miss out on the special Early Bird rate, available until 31 October!

🎟️ Book today: tinyurl.com/48nau2vp

We’ve been nominated! 🎉

We’re delighted to announce that our Common Approach: Early Years has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Music Education Resource Award at the Music & Drama Education Awards 2027! 🎶🏆

🔗 www.musicmark.org.uk/a-common-app...

Music Mark members are invited to join Etio and Music Mark for a 90-minute Big Meet to explore the National Centre for Arts Education (NCAE) 💡

🗓️ 13th October 2026 ⏰️ 11am - 12.30pm

🎟️ Book your place: tinyurl.com/yhw3284b

Instrumental Network Meeting 🎵

Bringing vocal and instrumental tutors together from across the UK, this group provides an opportunity to connect, share experiences and tackle professional isolation.

📆 5 October 2026 | 4 March 2027 | 15 June 2027

🎟️ Free to attend

🔗: tinyurl.com/2r5neuy4

Happy International Podcast day! 🎙️

We are excited to announce the launch of Series 3 of the Music Mark Podcast!🚀

🔗 Listen now: www.musicmark.org.uk/podcast/

⚠️ : This episode covers the safeguarding of Children and sensitive topics such as child exploitation and abuse are discussed.

Join dabbledoo for this spooky session as they talk you through their free Halloween resource packs for Primary School aged children! 🎃

🗓️ 1st October 2026
🎟️: tinyurl.com/4jfjcaee

📣 Introducing… our new Guide to Music Outreach! 🎶

Through music outreach, you can use your expertise to inspire the next generation and help ensure that every child, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to experience the joy of music.

📖 Access for FREE: tinyurl.com/5am2wfn7

📣 Join us for Series 3 of Make Your Mark: Notes on Music Education!
We’re excited to announce that the first episode of the Music Mark Podcast will be live this week! 🎧 In the meantime, give our season trailer a listen below.

🎙️ tinyurl.com/4f24tkbe

🎓 Join the conversation around the future of primary music education! 💬

Join us for our regular meeting with professionals involved in training the next generation of primary teachers, helping us better understand teacher training across the UK and support the sector 💡

🔗: tinyurl.com/bd6uznym

Join Andy Hind for a High Impact Senior Leadership programme, created especially for Heads of Service and Senior Leaders working across music education 🚀 🎶

📅 7 October 2026 – 23 March 2027 (visit our website for the full list of dates)
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ : tinyurl.com/5zes3d2p

Instrumental Teaching in Specialist Schools: Getting It Right 🌟

Join Ben Sellers for the first session in the New Directions in Inclusive Music Series, exploring how we can develop expertise in specialist school settings💡

📅 8 October
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️: tinyurl.com/3b3n9mvp

📹️ Hear from Ruth Morgan professional coach, trainer and facilitator about the exciting sessions she is running with us this academic year 🌟

Ruth’s sessions will explore practical tools and strategies to help music educators navigate challenges:

🎟️ Book onto one of her sessions now:
buff.ly/F3zIWuQ

We were recently joined by Mia from Aim High Accountants, for a session on Making Tax Digital – the new way to report income to HMRC 💰

Music Mark members are able to book a 30-min initial consultation with Mia.

🔗 Watch the full video:
www.musicmark.org.uk/resources/ma...

How does child-led play shape early years music?💡

We spoke to Magic Acorns’ Sophie Fox and Dr Jessica Pitt about how child-led musical play supports connection, curiosity and inclusive practice ahead of their session at the Music Mark Conference 2026 🎶

🔗 : tinyurl.com/26tdwaza

🔎 Research Short: How Informal Learning Improves Music Education

Our Research and Data Manager Dr Kerry Bunkhall spoke with Dr Anna Mariguddi about her recent publication, ‘Informal Learning in Music Education: Exploring Theory in Practice’.

🔗 Discover more: tinyurl.com/y5fa7fkf

🌟 Inspiring Futures

Led by Andy Hind, this Music Mark Professional Learning Community supports established senior leaders in music education to strengthen their leadership capacity and strategic thinking.

📅 6 October 2026 | 2 February 2027 | 28 April 2027
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ : tinyurl.com/35jrhp5r

Learn to Play 🎵

For the past three years, Sheffield Music Hub has taken part in Music for All’s annual Learn to Play campaign, helping children, young people and families discover the joy of making music through free taster lessons, workshops and group activities 🌟

🔗: tinyurl.com/bpazfvmh