Feedback from a school using ABC resources:

"A B C Music is fantastic! To me the letters represent - - -

A - Absolutely

B - Brilliant for non musical

C - Classroom teachers

Having experienced a variety of music schemes within the primary sector A B C Music arrived as a breath of fresh air.
No complicated musical vocabulary or notation yet the same skills covered in a user friendly scheme. Ideal for non-musical teachers.
Each section of the scheme is explained step by step and all resources are included.
Initially I piloted this scheme with primary four and progressed to working with every stage in our school, assisting every stage teacher.
Kirkstyle Primary School have now adopted A B C Music as our core scheme and our staff feel that we have finally found a music programme which is accessible to all.
The staff are comfortable and our children love it!
The support system is great. Follow up support visits are personal, positive and reassuring.
In my personal opinion this is a fantastic scheme which I would recommend for the Primary Sector.
Well done A B C for finding a teacher friendly resource which incorporates all the required skills without the worries for staff of not being a music specialist.
A last word from the children themselves---
P4- “Great it’s time for music!”
P7- “I really like this Mrs McLean!”
P2- “I’m a great monster!”
P6- “Can we play my name is Tom?”
From myself – I really feel this scheme is perfectly suited to the “Curriculum for Excellence” as it encourages children to become independent learners and relates totally to all requirements of this document."

Ros McLean
Primary 2 Classroom & Music Support Teacher,
Kirkstyle Primary School,
Kilmarnock
October 2007

Feedback from a teachers using the Global Citizenship Through Music Pack

"What a fantastic resource! I have never seen children so excited about music!"
Alet Swanepoel, Craigour Park Primary School, Edinburgh

"Thank you for a very interesting and informative training session on Friday
afternoon. There was a lot of information but it was made easy to take in. Thanks.
The resource seems very comprehensive and thorough and it appears that you
have thought through all aspects of the program...... it looks great, interesting, fun and
easy to deliver. I look forward to starting." S.P. P7 Class teacher, Edinburgh

Feedback from John Wilson , Quality Assurance Officer East Ayrshire Council

ABC Creative Music P4 Pilot (Youth Music Initiative)

"ABC Creative Music was commissioned by East Ayrshire to devise a Creative Music Resource for the Primary 4 stage as part of our implementation plan for YMI. The material was launched at a teachers’ in-set at the end of January 2005 and is now being used in 10 pilot schools involving approximately 550 pupils in 18 classes with a further 12 schools already signed up for phase 2.
The inset day was excellent. Here’s what some teachers said: “a great experience and great fun!”, “I can’t wait to try this with my class”, and “professionally delivered in a thoroughly understandable way”.
Key to the success of the partnership with ABC Caber Enterprises has been the ongoing support through the school visit programme. These visits, coupled with a series of follow-up training days, have really empowered and enthused staff and have contributed immensely to the long-term sustainability of the programme.
The methodology and the materials develop pupils’ self-confidence and give them the skills with which to express themselves in a musical and imaginative way. Finally and most importantly the feedback from pupils has been fantastic, “pupils really love the ABC Creative Music experience.”

Primary Headteachers Feedback in Whole School Pilot in Edinburgh 
(ABC resources used in Nursery to P7)

" I have never known staff to be so enthusiastic about a pilot project. It
has made the staff highly motivated in the area of music and brought a real
joy to the school. The kids love the resources, it's so full of energy.
Thankyou!" Sheila Laing, Headteacher, Forthview Primary School, Edinburgh.

"a super resource brings music alive in a school
It's so much fun for the kids and staff- an easy way to meet the musical
needs of a school" David Fleming, Headteacher, Dalry Primary, Edinburgh

"Staff in the middle and upper stages are looking forward with anticipation
to using these materials with older pupils and will be undertaking training
in the new year. Infant children and their teachers have been enjoying these
materials so much we all want to join in the fun while developing and
extending the musical abilities all children (and adults!!) possess"
Jan Paterson, Headteacher, Newcraighall Primary, Edinburgh

Great Feedback from Upper Primary Module 1 (P5 age 9/10) Pilot
Dumfries and Galloway P5 Primary Pilot feedback shows the ABC method allows non-musical classroom teachers to deliver creative music education in mainstream schools ABC Creative Music now have classroom resources being used in Primary Schools across Scotland from P1 to P7 and are now being seen as a serious provider of solutions to major strategic challenges in music education.

“The children love this resource and have lots of fun! They are learning so
much without feeling under pressure. This method has given me the confidence
to teach music!” Dumfries and Galloway Classroom Teacher.

“This pilot has been very positive. It’s a new way of approaching Creative
Music that provides structure and progression. The children have found it
very enjoyable and learnt from it. Also, I have found that some children
surprise me by what they can do and how they approach it. This resource is
enjoyed by both teacher and children!”
Anne Halliday, Classroom Teacher, Glenzier School, Dumfries and Galloway.

“It’s so different to traditional music in schools, which is very
refreshing. This is a novel approach that can be taught by classroom
teachers that the children have latched on to...”
Linda Kerr, Classroom Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

“Very enjoyable so far, I’ve had people passing my room and popping in to
see what’s going on as the children sound like they’re having alot of fun!
For the non-specialist music teacher it is encouraging to have some idea of
what to do with music in a constructive and enjoyable way. The music is
lively and this stimulates the children more..”
Irene Stakounis, Classroom Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

“ The children have really enjoyed the pilot. It seems at the right level
for them. They smile through the activities! There’s no right or wrong-
every child’s contribution is of equal value....”
Hazel Hubbert, Classroom teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

“The children are thoroughly enjoying this pilot. They are now very
enthusiastic about my music lessons!! The pack is very straightforward to
teach and covers the expected strands in the musical curriculum. It makes me
feel much more confident to implement music with my class.. If I can manage
to teach this anyone can!”
Classroom Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

“This is for everybody, not just pupils or teachers who have a flair for
music. All children are very confident about it and desperate to perform...”
Classroom Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

“This Pilot has given me a creative music programme to follow which
addresses 5-14 expectations, linking in with other areas of the curriculum
in listening, watching and performing. The children are actively involved,
enjoying and progressing with this pilot.
Annie Thompson, Collin School, Dumfries and Galloway.

“Children are participating and co-operating in a very happy way. They are
feeling succesful and confident about using instruments.”
Annete Mcneil, Classroom Teacher, Dumfries and Galloway.

Feedback on using the ABC method with teenagers playing in a Jazz big band (written by their teacher Jane Morton of Shetland Youth Jazz in the Shetland Times 16/11/03)
" Tom Bancroft, the powerhouse drummer, Phil Bancroft, an awesome saxophone player were in Shetland ( with their group Trio AAB) to work with teachers and school pupils and ended their visit with a slightly different jazz night at the Shetland Hotel. As in true improvisation, we didn't know what was about to take place; it had always been difficult to plan and explain what kind of jazz night thiswould be - 7.30pm approached and the audience were enjoying pre-concert drinks in the foyer.

Inside, the "human piano" was going through some final fine-tuning. Then a "little" later than planned, what turned out to be a fantastically supportive and enthusiastic audience surged through the doors, and with the "posse" of now nearly fearless young Shetland musicians waiting in the
wings, Trio AAB took to the stage.

These 20 or so young musicians had spent their day being injected with positive enthusiasm, creative energy and much humour by Tom and Phil Bancroft. It was a lull before the storm for them, relaxing to the incredible combination of sounds from Trio AAB, who gave us three of their own compositions... demonstrating their formidable talents and musical calibre.

The members of Shetland Youth Jazz (SYJ) then joined Trio AAB for two numbers, My Funny Valentine and The Preacher, that demonstrated how much SYJ had gained from just two hours of rehearsal with Tom and Phil. It was a huge challenge and a big step into the unknown for most to take a solo. However, it had been made possible by the Bancrofts' innovative and ground-breaking system of teaching improvisation and supported creativity.

Trio AAB continued the entertainment with more of their flowing group improvisation ...before all the young people joined them on the stage for the final showdown. This was the performance of Sch-Wee Norman, a composition created only a few hours earlier incorporating ideas written by each of the workshop participants and developed into a piece full of raw creative energy. Performing something so new, fresh and which belonged to them, brought out a real sense of enjoyment and energy.

As teachers we'd had two days of In-Set training with Tom and Phil Bancroft. The workshop and concert allowed us to see the In-Set training put into practice. The result was beyond anything expected and the comment that stands out for me at the end of the night was that these children had just had one of the most valuable musical experiences they would ever have - it
was certainly that for me. This has to be repeated. Our thanks to everyone involved. Trio AAB - please come back soon. " Jane Morton

Feedback on using the ABC Nursery Pack

"We have been using the ABC Nursery pack every day for 3 years, it is brilliant "
Claire Lennox, Nursery Manager, Old Oak Nursery, Dunkeld

"I think your Nursery pack is FANTASTIC! The opportunities for links to other areas of the curriculum are well-planned….I think the materials as a whole are exciting and pitched perfectly to match both the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage and the essence of what Early Years education is striving to achieve"

Cath Atherden, Regional Music Advisor, Bury, Manchester

"User friendly pack, loaded with ideas to use as the pack and great ideas to do in isolation...for music ed in an integrated curriculum......the clarity of the pack allows it to be accessible to all levels
of practitioner...Very impressed! After teaching in many and varied contexts over the past 5 years I have recently been quite disappointed at how lacking the UK is in the area of arts education ,
especially in Early Childhood so I am glad to see this pack making a colourful and creative impact.. I want to take it back to Australia with me!"

Kate Oudyn, Nursery Staff Support, Midlothian

"...the children and staff have received many benefits from this pack:......The children's knowledge of colours, numbers and shapes has increased greatly. ... They are learning to play the instruments
and have become really skilled at listening to the beat and rhythm ...are now recognising the difference between their left hand and their right hand through the red hand and blue hand games... ...
The children have learned a lot of new songs, games and types of music, and they now find it a lot more enjoyable."

Lorna Southam, Tiny Tots Nursery North Lanarkshire
(after using the ABC Nursery Pack for 2 months)

Comments from teachers already using ABC Primary and Instrumental Packs in Primary Schools

"Children gained immensely from this and one of the shyest ever children was the leader- BRILLIANT! Wonderfully involving, and the children loved doing it. I found out how much the class needed rhythm work. Children in one class are like wet cement. To my surprise, several came up at the end of school & said "Could we do it more?""

Betsy Barker, Primary Music Specialist, E. Lothian

"I think it is really good. I'm not a jazzer, but it got hold of me as soon as I put on the CD. When you're trying to play solos, people tend to play loads of notes, but with these resources, students
right away start using a structure, using repetition or contrast. AABA phrases really makes sense to people. It all made sense, I really enjoyed it. I found it very clear and simple in approach, and it
can be incorporated in all age groups. It's very logical and good fun."

John McCrory, Instrumental Instructor, S Lanarkshire
Non-Jazz Specialist using Instrumental Pack

Feedback to In-Service Training

"Thanks for the great In-Service, it was much appreciated. All the evaluation was excellent. All the people are wanting more and thought you produced a fun and exciting day."

Joy Brockley, Education Department, Aberdeen City Council
In-service for Nursery Teachers & Primary Music Specialists.

Feedback on the Youth Pack

"an excellent tool for aiding exploration of group composition, with clearly laid out information and methodology. Also an ideal complement to instrumental teaching",

Conrad Molleson, Youth Music Worker, Midlothian Council

The Times Educational Supplement described the ABC Method as follows:

"Ground-breaking methods of teaching music & in-service training initiatives.... a sophisticated teaching pack for nursery & primary use. Their approach is holistic, aimed at developing a system which will guide youngsters from nursery level through to the 11-18 age group. their interest in psychology is reflected in the conceptual basis underpinning the practical aspect of their methods. They work with ideas such as "Early Creativity", "Supported Creativity" ... On a practical level,
their system of teaching works with very simple building blocks designed to give immediate confidence & to overcome some of the inherent fears which can hold back the creative process, at whatever level of experience...The approach is adaptable to almost any level of ability, aptitude or experience.... they employ simple concepts and easy verbal methods in the first instance, building musical structures through choosing from pre-defined elements .... Last week's session demonstrated clearly the efficacy of these ideas, both in composition and improvisation. The way in which the compositions blossomed before their eyes was more than satisfactory evidence of the methodology's success."

TES Scot 12/4/02

Imagine every Primary School concert including songs and tunes composed by the children who perform them....
Imagine every Primary School concert including improvisation...
Imagine beginner instrumentalists using improvisation as a way of learning notes and being able to enjoy their new skills...

"Too many of our children pass from childhood to adulthood with desperately low expectations, narrow experience, limited skills, battered self-confidence and stifled creativity, meaning they are ill-equipped to realise their full potential either as individuals or as active citizens in their communities."

Peter Jenkinson, National Director, Creative Partnerships, Arts Council of England

"the provision of music tuition to Primary Age children is barely adequate in some areas, and almost non-existent in many others...it would appear that there has been a historical over-emphasis upon performance, at the expense of composition/improvisation...provision is still dominated by the re-creation of existing music"

What's Going On? A National Audit of Youth Music in Scotland 2003

Of 6 Provision Gaps identified in the Scottish Youth Music audit where "it is felt that targeted support for these areas, across formal and informal sectors, should be a funding priority" 2 of them are :

• projects/tuition seeking to develop creativity through music eg composition, improvisation, interdisciplinary projects
• projects/tuition for work with under-fives and post school young people

What's Going On? A National Audit of Youth Music in Scotland 2003