Every child experiences the opportunity to realise themselves as composers and performers in their whole-class weekly music lessons. Lessons are delivered by our Music-specialists, using a holistic approach that includes moving, singing and playing as a way to understand and be creative in a range of musical styles.
Each school has a dedicated learning space for music lessons where children can play a range of accessible instruments or move freely in an open area. The children get to experience the beauty of music as a social form when they work on musical groups projects that build confidence and skills as musicians and collaborators.
The musical journey starts with an introduction to song games and learning what instruments do. Through play, our early years children start to explore how sounds can be organised in song and on instruments. We discover how expression can be used in music when we imitate and follow signals. We play conducting games, where children use their skills and knowledge to lead their friends in a piece of music.
As we travel further on our journey, children in Key Stage 1 begin to recognise and explore how sounds can be made, changed and organised. Creative projects, born from a simple idea in song or movement, start to include layers of harmonic and rhythmical accompaniment as they grow into a performed piece in which children can call their own.
In Key Stage 2, children continue their creative music making journey with stronger understanding of how musical elements can be used. We become more reflective in our choices and regularly discuss the musical choices that we and others make. Our vocal and instrumental skills are applied to our theoretical knowledge when we compose and perform in bigger groups.
By the end of a child’s music journey, it is our intention that they have the confidence and curiosity to know how to be individually and collaboratively creative in their next music journey.
Music in the EYFS
The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. The quality and variety of what children see, hear and participate in is crucial for developing their understanding, self-expression, vocabulary and ability to communicate through the arts. The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.
Early learning goals that link to music:
ELG Being imaginative and expressive
- Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs.
- Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others, and – when appropriate – try to move in time with music.
In the EYFS children...
- Access a range of percussion instruments indoors and outdoors, and are taught their names.
- Explore how sounds can be changed and learn the related vocabulary eg loud/quiet, fast/slow.
- Build up a repertoire of songs and rhymes through opportunities to sing on a regular basis.
- Listen to a range of music
- Are encouraged to move in response to music.
If you would like to know more about this area of the curriculum, please talk to Gary Hanratty.
