November 12, 2008

By By Andre Paine, London

Industry body U.K. Music has launched a free online resource to support the implementation of the new music curriculum at secondary schools throughout the U.K.

Sound Rights is a free-to-access Web site that allows teachers of Key Stage 3 (KS3) students, aged 11-14, to incorporate the new curriculum requirements into their lessons.

In September, the U.K. Government made it a KS3 prerequisite "to include the role of music and musicians in society, the music industry and of artistic and intellectual property rights."

Sound Rights utilizes tools such as podcasts, videos and case studies into music education at school, and provides opportunities for cross-curricular learning with subjects like history, maths and media literacy.

Feargal Sharkey, U.K. Music CEO said in a statement: "Even if they cannot play an instrument, music is still central to the lives of most young people. Sound Rights opens up that world, allowing teachers and students to explore the true power of music in the widest possible context, as well as highlighting potential career opportunities."

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