Music
Intent
Children will gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. They will develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and appreciation of the importance of all types of music . Children will be given the opportunity to experiment with their own creativity as well as develop the technical foundations to progress to the next level of their creative excellence.
Implementation
The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances and the opportunity to learn how to play instruments including recorder, glockenspiel, percussion instruments, guitar and keyboard.
Through the music scheme Charanga, teachers produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way.
Charanga lessons are planned in sequences to provide children with the opportunities to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. Children learn how to play the recorder and a variety of percussion instruments. which enables children to use a range of methods to create notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
Music Progression document for KS1 can be found here.
Music Progression document for KS2 can be found here.
In addition to the music scheme, children are provided with opportunities beyond the National Curriculum to further support their understanding and enjoyment. These include having visitors from the Music Service, attending concerts, preparing and performing in our annual Music Day event and creating their own school productions. Rochdale Music Service provide additional tuition for children learning to play instruments including the guitar and keyboard. School is engaged in the Salford Diocese School Singing Programme which provides additional singing tuition to children in Years 4 & 6, complimenting the music provision and introducing them to a wider repertoire of hymns and secular songs. Mrs Astley is the choral director for our school choir and Mrs Mullen delivers music and drama tuition for children in Years 3 & 5. We work with the Music Service in projects for particular year groups; this year, Year 5 have taken part in the Royal Opera House Hansel & Gretel project based on the school opera.
Impact
Music enables children to develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to their own lived experience and beyond. They are able to enjoy music as listener, creator and performer. They have the opportunity to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas, acknowledging and respecting that these may vary, creating a rich tapestry of musical tastes and experiences. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. Children learn to appreciate the creative, technical and emotional qualities of music, seek enjoyment as performers and be provided with the foundation to continue as they progress through school and beyond.
The Arts (including Music) Curriculum Lead is Mrs Marshall