I have a life-long commitment to ensuring that we all access the life-affirming wonder of music

Expert Music Support in Education

I strive to work within an organisation’s vision and use music to help it to fly. This can be through turnkey services that deliver a project (like a musical or a gala concert), or by empowering leadership in teams through training and support.

“Andy is a superbly creative musician. Whether with arrangements or original compositions, his attention to detail and knowledge across styles and genres makes him a terrifically exciting colleague to work with!”
— Jon Boustead, Thomas's London Day Schools

Curriculum Development

I work with school leaders and specialist/non-specialist music teachers to curate schemes of work that engage and challenge pupils. This can include supporting the rollout of Whole Class Instrumental Tuition (WCIT) and establishing a culture of joyful singing.

I also help to develop topical schemes of work that can be integrated into curriculm ensuring that music (playing, singing, improvising, composing, listening) remains at the core of the learning. Recent topics include Black History Month, International Women’s day, Space Week and Pride.

With all stakeholders in mind (parents, pupils, staff, community), well-planned and inclusive music-making can have a quick and positive effect on school culture.

Music Theatre Camp

Workshops

I love to lead a lively workshop - whether a practical study session for exam students, or an end of term break-out for a whole year group. Modules and sessions include:

  • WCIT (for students or teachers), Strings, Brass

  • Drumming (Samba, Buckets, Djembe)

  • Body Percussion

  • Composing

  • Set works workshops for GCSE/A Level Students

  • CPD for Music teachers (How to Teach Theory, singing, WCIT)

  • Jazz Workshops

  • Rehearsal leading

  • Devising a project (for a special occasion or to integrate into curriculum)

  • Music Theatre

Band Programme, Rio de Janeiro

Composing and Arranging

I create bespoke arrangements, so that musicians of all ages and abilities can perform music together, in and beyond the classroom. Maximising performing opportunities through great sounding arrangements contributes to profound and inclusive learning experiences.

I take on commisions for original music, including songwriting for scriptwriters and directors. I recently loved attending a performance of ‘Al is In wonderland’ at a Thomas’s London Day School, including my original score. Other recent work includes original score for an adaptation of ‘James and the Giant Peach’ and another for ‘The Day The Crayons Quit’, both for St Pauls Juniors, London.

Event Imagining and Organising

From ‘pop-up’ gigs for local events to concerts in major venues around the world, I help young people to experience the joy of being part of a high quality music performance.

Musical Director highlights:

  • ‘London Goes Gospel’ - Royal Albert Hall

  • ‘Freedom Songs’ - Hugh Masakela at the Barbican with Jazz Jamaica Allstars and Childrens Voices from Tower Hamlets

  • ‘Alltogether Now’ - and end of year celebration at Cadogan Hall, London for Thomas’s Clapham (including my composing and arranging)

  • Street Child World Cup (Rio de Janeiro 2014) - Musical Director, Opening and Closing Ceremonies

  • ‘We Will Rock You’ The Queen Musical - Chobham Academy, London

““Mr. Casterton was the Director of Music at my school when I began my career as a music teacher. His mentorship was pivotal to my development in education, providing transformative professional growth that has shaped my path. As for his impact on students and the music department as a whole, he is unmatched. With extensive experience, he has a remarkable ability to engage students across all ages, from early years through to IB, always delivering material at the appropriate level. Mr. Casterton also provides his team with outstanding guidance, enabling them to effectively navigate complex syllabi and deliver challenging content.”
”
— Jose 'Zezo' Olimpio, Head of Music, The British School, Rio

Leadership Inspiration and Guidance

With more than two decades of experience as a Head of Department accross the state, private and international sectors, I have had the privilege of nurturing teams that can effectively influence school culture with the very best pupil outcomes in mind.

I especially love to work with community leaders to identify and celebrate how music can fully engage and transform their stakeholders.

Student Success

I help school leaders to explore and refine their vision of student sucess and how they can work to achieve this vision -

  • Help schools and students identify students’ next steps - ABRSM, GCSE, A-Level, Btec, IB etc.

  • Ensuring all students to have an arts-rich education, regardless of their academic portfolio.

  • Creating pathways to industry and esteemed institutions and my students have gone on to study at the RCM, Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia and Berklee College of Music.

Technology Integration

I overhauled the music technology in my first HoD job in East London in September 2000. 24 years later, I am still comitted to designing, procuring and implementing music technology systems that inspire music-making skills for life in students and colleagues. I am always fascinated by the way young people embrace technology and use it creatively. I think that we need to provide a safe framework in which this can happen.

A non-exhaustive list of my experience of Music Technology in schools, please get in touch to discuss the support you need -

  • DAWs - Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic, Soundtrap

  • Online Curriculum packages (Music First, Focus on Sound)

  • Google Classroom

  • Apple Classroom

  • Intergrating iPads into the Music classroom.

  • Music Admin (SOCS/iSams)

  • Noteflight/Finale/Sibelius/Dorico

  • DJ Packages - Rekordbox/Serato

  • Hardware - Decks, Midi Controllers

  • Live Audio installations - everything from classrooms to concert halls.

  • Studio Intallation and use

Get in touch.

If you’d like to discuss your musical idea, I’d love to hear from you