From: "Kent Band" <kentband_at_blueyonder_dot_co_dot_uk>

Date: 20 November 2006 15:27:15 GMT

Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 January 2007

Roundhouse, London

A FESTIVAL STYLE CONFERENCE FOR THOSE WHO RELEASE YOUNG PEOPLE'S POTENTIAL

THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH MUSIC

Programme details developing for the State of Play conference to complete and

celebrate the current Music Manifesto season of activity 

Young people, teachers, musicians, music creators and producers, and anyone who

shares an interest in music creation as part of learning are to be both audience

and participants at the State of Play festival style conference at London's

legendary Roundhouse next January 16 & 17. 

The conference programme is shaping up rapidly with panel sessions and debates

involving an impressive list of contributors from the worlds of education, music

performance and production, broadcasting, journalism, child development and

Government.

Keynote speakers include Secretary of State for Education and Skills the Rt Hon

Alan Johnson MP,  and Sir Ken Robinson, one of the world's leading authorities

on creativity and education.

Panel sessions include The Transformative Power of Music, explored  by Woman of

the Year Camila Batmanghelidjh, Director of Kids Company; legendary South

African musician Hugh Masekela and young people from  Kinetika Bloco, the

largest standing youth Bateria in the country, with respected broadcaster Jon

Snow in the chair. Music and a Child's Development will be explored by Chief

Advisor on Children's Services to the Education Secretary Naomi Eisenstadt,

leading academic Professor Lord Robert Winston, composer and educator Howard

Goodall, under the chairmanship of journalist and Newsnight presenter Kirsty

Wark.  

Question Time on the Music Manifesto - Making Every Child's Music Matter - with

a panel including Birmingham Children's Services Director Tony Howell,

Parliamentary under-Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport David Lammy MP, and

Youth Music Chief Executive Christina Coker, with  journalist Krishnan

Guru-Murthy in the chair.  Making the connection between education and industry

will be EMI Group Chairman Eric Nicoli, Chairman, Creative and Cultural Skills

Tony Hall, Member of the House of Lords Estelle Morris and Minister for Creative

Industries Shaun Woodward.

Debates will include

the belief that standards in vocal and instrument teaching are threatened by whole-class teaching,

proposed by Richard Morris, Chief Executive, Associated Board of the Royal

Schools of Music;

and the assertion by Jeremy Silver,  Avid Vice President and

MD that "music without technology is like flying without wings".

(discuss ?)

(although some of these are so contentious as to be deliberate, it looks like some pretty lively debate sessions.  1d x)

For those whose learning style is doing, there are plenty of opportunities to

participate in workshops - Musical Futures, the Music Manifesto Pathfinders and

Pete Moser of More Music in Morecambe are among those who will lead these.

Sessions led by  musicians include New Orleans trumpeter Abram Wilson

interviewing other prominent performers on their musical pathways with

contributions from leading cellist Matthew Barley, songwriter of the moment and

Mercury Award nominee Seth Lakeman and BBC Radio 3 New Generation artist Gwilym

Simcock.

Tickets for what promises to be a unique and exciting event for the country's

creative and dedicated workforce of 35,000 music leaders - teachers, community

musicians, early years workers, instrumental tutors, workshop leaders, skills

and training providers, coaches and mentors who develop the musical and social

talent of young people - are now on sale from the Roundhouse

www.roundhouse.org.uk  or  0870 389 1846.

Speaking at the recent State of Play launch, Music Manifesto Champion Marc

Jaffrey hailed the rare prospect of a conference "which will truly do what it is

supposed to - inspire, inform, galvanise action and provide practical

opportunities to develop skills, by bringing together big thinkers and leaders

from the music sector and wider arts, entertainment and education world to stand

alongside decision makers, live wires and music educators". This special live

experience is being created by international live music producers Serious, which

has a strong track record in participative music education programmes.

For information and weekly updates visit www.musicmanifesto.co.uk where you can

also download the full brochure/registration form for the conference via

Forthcoming Events (direct short link http://snipurl.com/xlcp) 

To book tickets visit www.roundhouse.org.uk  (direct short link

http://snipurl.com/xld6) or call 0870 389 1846.