What Would I Tell My 12-year old self?

August 16, 2024
I would tell him, "You were right."
 

The easiest way to improve your voice

January 2, 2016

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3 Simple Ways to instantly Create an Inclusive Classroom Enviroment

September 6, 2015

Inclusion is not about getting children to fit in, it's about helping each child feel that they belong.  Creating an inclusive climate in the classroom helps refugee children to settle and feel welcome and valued. 

1. Bring other cultures into the classroom
It’s good idea to ensure your pupils learn something about the countries and the cultural background their classmates come from.  This encourages discussion about moving home, cultural diversity and sees all children as resources for le...


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Don't Judge a library by its Cover

July 7, 2014


The old Birmingham Reference Library as been the cause of much controversy since it first opened in 1974.   Closed since 2011 and now replaced by the new Library of Birmingham but it still forms a formidable sight.   There are people who want it demolished and some who campaign for it to get listing status.  It's fate lies in the balance.

Me I've always like it.  Though many can't see why.  So here's why.


 Because it saved my life.  Or at least helped me get the life I truly wanted, rather th...


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You can sing. Here's why

July 7, 2014



When I say 'I'm a singing teacher' many people reply, “I can't sing!” 

Now I'd have thought that would have been my perfect in.  But no.  For so many people their sheer terror at the thought of using their voice effectively, joyfully and confidently is something they'd rather not contemplate. 

I've been out and about promoting The Love singing method recently, so I've had the opportunity to talk face-to-face with people who haven't fully embraced the joys of singing.  What's even sadder was...


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The Digital Library

July 7, 2014


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It's a Wonder-ful Life

June 30, 2014

Yesterday was all about the musical legend that is Stevie Wonder. 

Up at 7:00 and thinking about how singing tips had gone down with the TuneIN Choir singers.  There were a quite a few emails in my inbox so I was about to find out.  Whatever that afternoon's rehearsal had in store was secondary to the fact that many of us were looking forward to was seeing Stevie Wonder do his thing at the Calling Festival in Clapham Common, south London, straight afterwards.

Rehearsal over we headed down from...
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Why 'Reading for Joy' Didn't work on Boys

May 7, 2014

So does putting reading in the 'for pleasure' category get boys into reading?



I've never been a big fan of the 'Reading For Joy' movement.   So I was really pleased when figure published this week showed that the 'Reading for Pleasure' drive is beginning to bear fruit.  When I heard this my first reaction was, Reading for pleasure' when did that happen.  The last I heard it was called 'Reading of Joy'.  I'm sure there more to this than changing a word but does this have something to do with...


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Would you sing more if you knew how good it was for you?

April 23, 2014



Smoking is bad for you and vegetables are good for you!  We take this for granted because we're all aware of the research behind these facts.   What we're less familiar with are the health benefits of a good old singalong.  Would you sing more If you knew how it was going to boost your confidence, put you in a better mood or even help you live longer?   Well, there's research that suggests that it does.   It's not common knowledge at the moment. But one day we will be.  


As thing stand the u...


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How To Sing With Greater Confidence

April 18, 2014


So you've set your mind on doing more singing.    But how's it going?
 
Have you set to it with full force and are you now singing the songs you want to sing where and when you want to sing them.  Or are you finding that your first few steps have been a little hesitant and faltering.  Well you'll be comforted by the fact that this is normal.

There are many reasons why you are not, as yet, totally in tune with your voice.  Some reasons are universal and others are more personal to you.   Let's ta...
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War Horse Musician Lose Court Battle Against National Theatre

April 18, 2014

Being a theatre director I will be following, with interest, the recent developments on the National Theatre’s London production of War Horse.

Five musicians have failed to win a High Court order against the National Theatre (NT) after being made redundant from the West End production and replaced by a prerecorded soundtrack.

The NT said the decision to cut live music from the show was made for artistic and financial reasons.  Very interesting!  War Horse is one of the National's most success...


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7 proven Ways To Get Boys Into Reading

May 12, 2013

How many time have you thrown your hands up and said, "I give up"?    


For many people, those who care about positive child development, giving up isn't an option.  Think about how your life would be if you had no access to the written word.  This is a reality for many people. For some it's a physiological issue other it's psychological.  There are also those who by not understanding the importance of reading never bother to develop the skill sufficiently.  Until it's too late.

So what does it ...


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Storybookers

7 Proven Ways To Get Boys To Love Reading

storybookersblog:

How many time have you thrown your hands up and said, “I give up”?    

For many people, those who care about positive child development, giving up isn’t an option.  

Think about how your life would be if you had no access to the written word.  This is a reality for many people. For some it’s a physiological issue other it’s psychological.  There are also those who by not understanding the importance of reading never bother to develop the skill sufficiently.  Until it’s too late.

So what does it take to get a young man to put down his Playstaion and pick up a book?   There will be those who say that maybe it’s best not to buy one in the first place.  But that isn’t always as easy as it sounds.  Some parents bribe their kids with games times as a trade off against time spent reading books.  The danger of this is that reading then becomes the opposite of things that are fun.  That’ll set the ‘Reading for Pleasure movement’ back a bit.

So what do you do?  I know teachers, parents and carers who have come up with some clever little ways of getting boys to see reading as a positive force in their lives.  Whether it’s as a pleasurable distraction or as a way to gather a wealth of useful information that they can use to enhance their lives.    These are some of the insights I’ve gathered.  I’ve also thrown in a few that have worked for me over the years.

So here they are, in no particular order.

7 Tips for getting boys into reading:

1.   Tell them a story

If it’s a short story, tell  it to them.  And I mean tell them rather than read.  There are a number of reasons why I say this but I’ll expand on that another time.  Telling a child a  story might sound obvious to some but there are people who are little reluctant.  People often think that if you tell a child a story they won’t read it for themselves.  But you wouldn’t think that if you knew how much the book sales of the Hunger Games went up after movies came out. 

2. Tell them about a story

If it’s a long story, tell them about the story.  Be a kind of trailer and get them excited about finding out more.  Ok, this might take a bit of practice.  But watch TV and movies trailers and have some fun with it.

3. Let them see you reading books.  

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