DVD launched for Hub project

Last Sunday I was invited to the launch of a DVD that resulted from the Northern Hub project "Changing Places: Exploring different conceptions of music education and practice". Also in attendance were the two researchers, Dr Chris Naughton from New Zealand Tertiary College and Dr David Lines from the University of Auckland School of Music and the eight student participants in the project.  The students (four from New Zealand Tertiary College and four from the University of Auckland School of Music) had engaged in the project while on practicum at four early childhood centres - Beachhaven Early Childhood Centre, Natural Steps Ellerslie, Pakuranga Baptist Kindergarten and Prickly Hedgehog Pukekohe.

The students were delighted with the DVD, which took the form of a documentary. During the project, they had formed pairs, one from each institution, and worked together for six sessions in the participating centres to explore different music interaction opportunities with the children and follow where each interaction led. The project encouraged different kinds of pedagogical approaches and the special nature of the collaboration—bringing together two different interest groups—seemed to encourage a process where students were able to reassess their own concepts and ideas about music and education.

The report from this project is nearing completion and will soon be available on the Ako Aotearoa website.