A SKIPTON man has played a major role in launching a Scottish music education initiative.

Brian Beresford, former headteacher at Austwick, Clapham and Horton-in-Ribblesdale primary schools, was contacted by the Scottish government, who invited him to produce songs for Singing to Learn, Learning to Sing, a new music scheme for all schools in Scotland.

Since retiring from teaching, Brian has been leading song workshops across the North of England, including many in Craven schools, as well as composing and publishing music for schools via One More Time! Music Publishing.

His music is used in thousands of schools and one of his musicals, Samson Power, has been performed in New York, and two of his songs have been finalists in the UK Songwriting Contest.

Education Scotland learned of Brian’s work from a recommendation by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools and he was asked to write songs for children ages 4 to 12, including music for nursery age children and older pupils.

The new music scheme has now been completed and Brian’s input includes a three-part song entitled Scottish Football Pride with lyrics that include all 42 Scottish league teams.

Brian said: “The music is available in Scotland through a regional digital learning platform. Perhaps those in charge of music in English schools might hear of the success of the initiative and produce something similar for this country’s children – it is much needed.”