Jackie Walduck, composer and percussionist from Britain was invited by the British Council and the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Education to work with young children and their music teachers on a project aimed at developing creative music in the classroom and exploring thematic links between British and Omani musical traditions.

Jackie Walduck works on creative workshops in education and community settings. She is an expert in improvisation, composition, creative skills and workshop skills and works with people from the London community, including graduates, postgraduates, teachers, homeless people, young people from economically deprived areas and professional musicians.

The resulting project, based on the themes of the Sea and Recycling and the story of Sinbad the Sailor, involved children and teachers working with musicians from the Royal Army of Oman. Through a series of workshops, Jackie Walduck introduced improvisational skills to help with musicianship, ear-training, rhythmic skills and instrumental skills. The experience of creating and performing music helped to develop the children's communication and group work skills. Music performed by the children and was inspired by the story of Sinbad's first voyage and drew on traditional Omani music and Dr Walduck's own background in Western classical music.

Read more detailed information in Jackie Walduck’s full report: Towards a Future of Creative Music in Education in Oman.