Music Subject Lead: Caroline Spedding

Intent

Music is a beautiful form of expression that deserves to be widely celebrated, and our developing music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self expression and connection with others.  But above all, we intend to ignite a passion for music through an exposure to diverse musical experiences.  With over 1,300 music genres in the world, there is certainly something for everyone; from the complexities of Beethoven’s ‘Classical Symphony No.5 in C Minor’, to the iconic ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon, the simplicity of folk music or the hypnotic rhythms of dance music!

‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’

(The National Curriculum)

Aims

To develop Musicians who;

♫  Enjoy and have an appreciation of music

♫  Listen, review and evaluate music across a range of genres, styles and traditions

♫  Listen to and evaluate the work of other composers

♫  Sing and use their voices to create different effects

♫  Compose music on their own and with others

♫  Use a range of musical language

♫  Are able to express personal preferences about the quality and style of music

♫  Have the opportunity to play a wide variety of tuned and untuned instruments

♫  Make appropriate use of technology

♫  Perform with audience awareness

Implementation

The National Curriculum for music at KS1 and KS2 requires pupils to:

“Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians”

The Curriculum covers

♫ Singing

♫ playing tuned and untuned instruments

♫ listening to recorded and live music

♫ Composing and improvising
(using the interrelated dimensions of music)

♫ Understanding music history

♫ Understanding notation

We plan lessons based around the ‘Music Express’ scheme of work to ensure all interrelated elements of music are covered and implemented and that there is a progression of skills across year groups.   We teach the different skills of Performing, Composing and listening in an integrated way to improve musical understanding and ensure progress.  The BBC Ten Pieces work is also used to add breadth and variety to lessons.

As music is a skill based subject, we timetable a weekly lesson based around half term units.

Assessment

Formative assessment is used each lesson to evaluate knowledge and understanding, and identify the next steps needed.

We are developing our music assessment tool to track the progress of children against term objectives taken from the National Curriculum and the Music Express scheme.

Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own learning and musical experience at the end of each lesson and evaluate their own performance and that of others.

Instrumental Teaching

Alongside our Curriculum provision for music, pupils also have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers.  At present, our peripatetic music teaching is organized by the County Music Service and Private Individuals, including the Steel Pan Academy.

Lessons are offered in strings, keyboard, woodwind, brass and voice.  Pupils that learn a musical instrument have the opportunity to sit examinations and perform in assembly showcases and concerts.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

The school choir is open to all children on a weekly basis, focusing on teamwork, unison singing, developing basic harmonies, solo performances and enjoyment.  We also have a smaller harmony choir which concentrates on more complex harmony.  The choirs have opportunities to sing in carol concerts, assemblies, African child choir, Follow the Star and Young Voices throughout the year.

We have a developing orchestra and recorder group to further musical skills and enjoyment.

Impact

Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose – either as listener, creator or performer.  Music develops an understanding of culture and history, both in individuals and ethnicities from across the world.

Music ignites all areas of a child’s development and skills including;

♫ Intellectual

♫ Social emotional

♫ Motor

♫ Language

♫ Literacy

And helps the body and mind work together.

We hope children will forge their own musical journey and continue to enjoy and embrace music in their future lives!