History
Caroline Lumsden developed this approach after receiving training from outstanding educators at the Guildhall School of Music and Gipsy Hill College of Education. From 1971 to 1981, Caroline amalgamated these best practices into a syllabus for her classroom and instrumental teaching. This encompassed rhythm, pitch and theory training alongside effective instrumental techniques.
In 1982, Caroline, with her husband Alan's assistance, founded the Beauchamp Music Group charity (BMG). This initiative aimed to offer a fresh approach to creative music training for their four children and their friends. The Musicland imprint emerged in 1984, publishing the adventures of 'Rhythm Bugs' in 'Musicland,' inspiring young learners to engage with music.
The success of BMG led Caroline and Alan to become sought-after teacher trainers across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Hong Kong. They conducted international training courses annually in the UK.
In 1991, due to BMG's expansion, the Gloucester Academy of Music and Performing Arts (GAMPA) was established in Gloucester. It provided a specialised syllabus akin to a Junior Conservatoire level for students who had achieved at least Grade 5 by the end of primary school.
The curriculum integrated Performing Arts, enhancing both musicians' and actors' skills. Caroline's involvement as a board member of the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) led to the formation of JESTA (Junior ESTA) to promote teaching practice across Europe.
Summer courses were held in Beauchamp House or the British School of Brussels, facilitating the exchange of teaching approaches among teachers and learners from 12 countries.
Many GAMPA alumni went on to excel in organizations like the National Children's Orchestra, the National Youth Music Theatre, and the National Youth Orchestra, pursuing careers as musicians, dancers, and actors.
GAMPA, in collaboration with these organisations and Gloucester City Council, aimed to establish a National Youth Centre of Performing Arts in Gloucester Docks. With support from influential figures including HRH the Prince Edward, the proposed £4 million project to establish a permanent home for GAMPA became a proposed £22 million national centre for arts education.
The project ultimately lost funding to Bristol after the Arts Council decided that a national organisation needed to be based in a larger city. Subsequently, GAMPA merged with Beauchamp Music Group to form the Gloucester Academy of Music under Glyn Oxley's leadership.
Caroline and Alan retired to France, where they hosted residential music courses. Caroline also taught English in French primary schools and developed a curriculum called ‘Language Through Music’, published by Edition Peters.
In 2005, Caroline was recruited to develop the 'String Time' Programme for 3-13 year olds by Junior Trinity/Laban, directing it for six years before resigning to care for Alan, who by then had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Musicland Teacher Training continued, particularly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, led by Caroline and her co-director, Camilla Tress.
In the mid 2000s, they formed a touring band called the Scutterbugs, delivering a fun 'edutainment' show to London schools, introducing Musicland Rhythm and Pitch training through puppets. Their efforts were recognised with a nomination for a Royal Philharmonic Award for Education.
'MusicLand' centres emerged in London, Oxford, Manchester, Kendal, and Liverpool, with GAM working closely with the Oxford Musicland centre run by ex-GAM student Abbie Adiri.
During lockdown, Caroline and her nephew Simon developed a series of Violin Books for the Royal Irish Academy of Music, incorporating elements of pitch, rhythm, theory, and technique using MusicLand material.
Caroline continues to teach for GAM and work as an Early Years and String Instrument teacher trainer. Her teaching philosophy and advocacy continues through the work of Glyn Oxley at Gloucester Academy of Music, and her nephew Simon Hewitt Jones (ViolinSchool) who now runs MusicLand.
The MusicLand philosophy aims for all learners to achieve excellence in their musical endeavours, while fostering creativity and discipline that transfers across all school subjects.
Every child, Caroline believes, should have access to this opportunity.