Music Mark launches its new podcast ‘Make Your Mark: Notes on Music Education’

Today marks the launch of Music Mark’s new podcast ‘Make Your Mark: Notes on Music Education’. With a new episode to be released each month, the podcast will showcase diverse experiences and perspectives from across the music education sector. 

In each episode, hosts Aimee Christodoulou, Emma Cragg, and Yusef Sacoor will be joined by inspiring guests to share their experiences, knowledge and advice around a different topic. Together, we’ll explore the challenges facing those working in the music education sector, the challenges facing young people, and celebrate the fantastic work taking place, all with the hope of inspiring and supporting other music educators. 

The first episode focuses on ‘Gender Inclusivity in Music Technology’, with Dr. Eddie Dobson, Co-Director of Yorkshire Sound Women Network; Kate Rounding, Executive Director at TiME (Technology in Music Education UK); and Xanthe Sparke, Project Co-ordinator at Old Chapel Music Studios. We speak about representation in the music technology space, the challenges facing young women, transgender young people and non-binary young people and how these should be addressed.

Hear a snippet from Xanthe Sparke, speaking on the Make Your Mark: Notes on Music Education podcast:

“I think the majority of people in leadership roles in my experience have been men. I think I had one lecturer at the university who identified as a woman. […] all people in those leadership roles have still been like highly encouraging of me to pursue this work in the music industry. But definitely at times when I’ve like, I’ve been struggling to continue in the music industry,  […] I’ve looked towards people who were women and gone out to talks and tried to go to as many panels and listen to as many podcasts as I could to look to other people who are like me.” – Xanthe Sparke, speaking on the Make Your Mark: Notes on Music Education podcast

We also highlight some fantastic resources for music education organisations to improve their practice in this area, and opportunities that young people interested in music technology can get involved with.  

The second episode will be coming to you at the end of February, where we’ll be joined by Tom Eagle, Regional Officer for the Musician’s Union; Benjamin Turner, Founder of The Rap Club/Spit Game; and Grifton Forbes-Amos, a young jazz musician to explore ‘Pathways into Industry’.  

So, what are you waiting for? The first episode is available to listen to now! Click here to listen on our website and to access the full show notes and transcript. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Music, and other podcast platforms. And don’t forget to follow the podcast to stay up-to-date with future episodes at the end of each month!