Schoolchildren have been celebrating the work of a York professor who worked on the Muppet Show.

The Patch-Work Composition Project honoured the work of Professor John Paynter – internationally renowned music educationalist and Professor Emeritus at the University of York, who died in July last year, aged 78.

Prof Paynter headed the music department at the University of York for 11 years and was recognised as a ground-breaking specialist in music in education.

He also worked with Jim Henson on music for The Muppet Show.

One of the organisers of the Patch-Work Composition Project, Tim Brooks, of City of York Council, said the event involved local primary and secondary schools – both pupils and teachers – exploring composition in the classroom, using some of the stimuli suggested by Paynter in his earlier writings. He said: “More than 100 compositions have been collected and recorded as well as many hours of film footage – now edited to about a ten-minute documentary.”

The work culminated in a two-day conference at York St John University when pupils from Burnholme Community College, Acomb, St Aelred’s RC, Wheldrake, Wigginton, Haxby Road and Yearsley Grove primary schools performed their compositions live.

Dr Liz Mellor, project co-director and reader in music and applied Arts at York St John University, which hosted the event, said: “We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the schools to take part in the project. It has created a community of composers in York across all sectors of education – from age two to 65.”

David Ashworth, a freelance music education consultant, said: “At a time when there is some uncertainty facing the future of music in schools, it is important that we look back at some of the key landmarks and progress we have made in this area. This conference, recognising and celebrating the life and works of John Paynter allows us to do just that.”

Prof Paynter’s books Sound and Silence, Sound and Structure and All Kinds of Music have been key sources for teachers in supporting a more inclusive and sound-orientated approach to music making in the classroom.

His work informed aspects of creative music-making and influenced ideas in music National Curriculum and GCSE music and has also had a great influence upon school musical education in other countries.