Mae Murray
Mae Murray began her teaching career in 1979 at St Andrew’s Academy, Saltcoats gaining experience teaching music in both primary and secondary classes. At this time, she was highly engaged in choral extracurricular activities and building relationships within the community. In 1988 she moved to the role of Principal Teacher of Music at Garnock Academy building the department to one of the most successful in the west of Scotland. During this time the department developed into a faculty of Music and Drama allowing for expansion of opportunity for the young people of the Garnock Valley.
In 2010 the opportunity arose to work both at school and local authority level with the seconded post of Music Service Manager for North Ayrshire Council. It was at this time she became involved in the SG Instrumental Music Group, the Instrumental Music Implementation Group, and the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG).
In 2017 Mae was invited to be the secretariat of MEPG which at this time sat within Education Scotland. As well as supporting the work of MEPG Mae also developed Singing to Learn a notional singing programme available to all schools in Scotland. The resource was launched in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with over 2,500 primary pupils participating in a big sing in 2018 followed by a similar Play to Learn experience for 2,500 secondary pupils in 2019.
In March 2020 MEPG became a charity supporting music education in Scotland. Mae now manages both MEPG and the Scottish Young Musicians and enjoys visiting different parts of the country celebrating the excellent music making that is taking place.