Getting to Know You: Mrs McCabe, Director of Music
This week the children and staff offered a very warm welcome to Mrs McCabe who joins us from RGS Springfield as Director of Music, Religion and Philosophy. With a passion for making music education accessible to all children, Mrs McCabe brings a wealth of teaching experience and performance creativity to our community.
Leading music education in schools has been a significant and rewarding part of Mrs McCabe's teaching career. She has taught music to EYFS, Key Stage 1, and 2, overseeing various performances throughout the year, such as EYFS and KS1 nativities, a whole school carol service, Harvest Festival, Easter service, theatrical productions for both KS1 and KS2, and concerts. She has also organised informal termly concerts, prepared children for concerts with the senior school, music scholarships and coordinated entries for local performing Arts Festivals.
Before discovering her love for education whilst working as a supply teacher, Mrs McCabe was immersed for many years in professional musical theatre and has participated in productions at the Edinburgh Festival and the National Student Drama Festival. Additionally, she has spent time working in the West End as a rehearsal pianist for Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Oliver, and played in the pit for the Blood Brothers UK Tour.
She also worked for Derby City and County Music service as a Choral Animateur with responsibility for raising the profile of choral singing. This included leading CPD training for teachers, workshops in schools and organising concerts. This experience led to teaching in the independent sector, specialising in music teaching. She believes performing is a wonderful way for children to develop their skills and self-esteem, and established Encore Theatre Academy in 2009, which ran successfully until 2019, providing creative outlets for children aged 4-16 through termly shows at local theatres.
Beyond the classroom, she encourages students to engage with the broader musical community and we are all looking forward to participating in her music and drama programme this year.