Soundabout's partnership with the University of Roehampton

Sounds of Intent with Adam Ockelford from Roehampton University

Sounds of Intent is a completely new way of assessing and recording a child’s musical development. It is an easy-to-use internet package that will enable teachers, therapists, parents and others to:

(a) Assess where their child is at musically
(b) Track their progress through a few simple screen touches or keystrokes
(b) Download music and ideas for musical activities

Sounds of Intent breaks down into minute stages the development of a person’s engagement with sound and music, from when they first encounter and become aware of sound, via responding unintentionally and with intent, to using sound and music deliberately to interact with others. The evidence gathered will enable teachers, therapists, parents and others to offer more effective support in engaging with music as an activity in its own right, as well as better enabling them to use music as a scaffold to structure other learning and development.

Soundabout are delighted to be appointed by the project to train staff in special needs settings in how to use the Sounds of Intent package, not just in terms of the computer programme itself, but also in how to recognise and assess the child’s response and progress. We are currently looking for funding in order to co-ordinate seminars and present Sounds of Intent at local and national conferences throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.