Sound Start - North Ayrshire Council
The Sound Start initiative
What makes Sound Start different?
The Sound Start programme
Sound Start events
Since 2005, North Ayrshire Council have been using part of their Youth Music Initiative (YMI) formula funding to run an innovative instrumental programme with Primary 7 pupils called Sound Start. Sound Start first began in just two primary schools, and was so successful that it now involves nine schools and over 250 pupils.
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Sound Start is a whole class tuition project. Inclusion is a priority and there is no testing of any child's ability to play an instrument - pupils just pick their favourite instrument from a choice of flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, euphonium, trombone or percussion. |
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The inclusive nature of the programme is one of the reasons for its success. Pupils learn to play in unison rather than parts, using numbers as well as ordinary notation. Nobody is asked to play on their own and everyone has the support of the whole class when playing.
This means that young people who would otherwise find it difficult to play in a band can fully participate in music making. Autistic pupils and those with behavioural problems and learning disabilities all take part in Sound Start.
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The Sound Start programme in North Ayrshire is led by Sound Start Coordinator Brian Keachie and a team of specialist instrumental staff. New pupils begin with six weeks of group tuition, after which the whole class is ready to begin band rehearsals. These are not the normal weekly rehearsals, however, but a 30 minute band practice every school day! |
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| The programme has been highly stimulating for its pupils. It has also encouraged closer co-operation amongst staff at the schools, who have gained new skills in dealing with whole-class music groups. Most importantly, Sound Start makes music a regular and essential part of the school curriculum and the school day. |
Sound Start bands have been showcased at various high-profile events. They have played at the North Ayrshire Head Teachers Conference, for visiting HMIE assessors and at the Tapestry conference at Glsasgow Royal Concert Hall in September 2007.
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In May 2007 all schools involved in Sound Start were invited to attend 'I'm With The Band', a full day of band activities including sectional rehearsals, sessions using Kodaly methodology and social time. The day culminated in a massed band rehearsal with over 175 pupils! |
Sound Start has been hugely successful in involving an entire school year group in a band. North Ayrshire's next challenge will be to keep these young musicians playing once they make the difficult transition to secondary school next autumn.
| For more information about Sound Start, email Brian Keachie. For more information on YMI activities in North Ayrshire, email Brian Kerr, Music Services Manager. To find out more about the YMI's work in the formal sector, go to The Beginning or Current Developments pages. | |