Received from Claire Fulcher

A: 

There isn’t a concrete answer to this as each child
develops at a different rate but as an average I would
suggest between 7 and 8. At this stage they are
getting to grips with reading and the coordination is
more developed.

I would suggest that you find a fun group before
formal lessons and try and encourage the child to take part in group work. Also introducing a live concert is always a stimulating experience. Always choose a child friendly environment for this one! You don’t want to extinguish the enthusiasm before anything happens.

Received from Mark Barrett

A: 

By starting at 8 in the morning (or earlier in the
summer) and finishing 5 hours later. If I haven’t written anything by then I know its not going to happen! My waste bin gets quite full on a bad day!
In my experience creating a piece of music goes
through several phases.

• The title is very important to me as I can then
  hope to develop the music in an imaginative and creative way.
  
• After the first completed draft I then walk away
  from it and have a space of 2 or 3 hours.
• 
  When I revisit the piece I very often rewrite
  certain passages, on a good day I am completely happy with the end result. Sometimes it’s easier to start again!

If I’m getting stuck for ideas I take my dog, Lottie, out for a walk and try again later, this often works well. I often get inspiration when I’m out walking.

The most frustrating situation is when I just get into
developing an idea and the doorbell rings! I use Sibelius 4 for all my notation and send my work
via e mail!

Received from Mary Cannon

A: 

This website covers nearly all my work. However, I have collaborated from time to time with other writers including Melissa Bastin and Caroline Lumsden as well as working with my sons, Ollie and Sam.

For a comprehensive list of everything I've done on my own, you can see in this site. I have also written a series of books called Step it Up! which you will find under my other other pen name, Louise Chamberlain.

With Melissa, we worked on Piano for the Young Football Fanatic and with Caroline Lumsden we worked together on a series of music/colouring books for violin, viola and cello. I've also worked with Debbie Needle on mini musicals for Keystage 1, and a schools topic/resource series called Showkits with Fay Gregory.

The collaboration with my sons Ollie and Sam, is called Wedgwood Blue.