The Music Department becomes a place of significant meaning for so many young people. It becomes a place that transcends learning and becomes a place of belonging, a place of comfort, and an important sanctuary. Here are my thoughts on how this is created through music. 🧵 (1/8) Learning an instrument, and singing, gives young people another voice. Sure, it’s not a conventional voice; however, it’s a voice they can use to express themselves, a voice they can use to connect with other people, and a voice they can use to develop their sense of self. (2/8)

Learning a musical instrument, and being part of all the amazing things that come with it, truly is a transformational experience. I once gave a talk entitled “My parents gave me a saxophone, and it changed my life”. Here are 10 things learning the saxophone has taught me: 🧵 1: “It taught me to constantly strive for perfection”. How often do our pupils make just one mistake, and then stop, feeling like they’ve let themselves down. All they’ve done is make one mistake. Music teaches us that mistakes are OK, and at the same time, 95% isn’t good enough.

I was once asked to speak at an event celebrating the provision of Instrumental Music at a High School in Scotland. My talk was entitled, “My parents gave me a saxophone, and it changed my life”. That night, I shared 10 things learning the saxophone has taught me. Here they are: 1: “It taught me to constantly strive for perfection”. How often do our pupils make just one mistake, and then stop, feeling like they’ve let themselves down. All they’ve done is make one mistake. Music teaches us that mistakes are OK, and at the same time, 95% isn’t good enough.