Music
At James Brindley Primary School, we believe that music plays an important role in a child’s development. Our intention is that children 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. Our music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self-expression and encourages our children on their musical journeys as well as giving them opportunities to connect with others. We hope to foster a lifelong love of music by exposing them to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music.
Whilst in school, children have opportunities to forge their own musical journey, which allows them to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which a child may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose - either as listener, creator or performer. They can discuss music and comprehend its parts. They can sing, feel a pulse, add rhythms and create melodies in a group and they can further develop these skills in the future and continue to enjoy and embrace music in their lives.
Children will learn about key figures from Music history such as Mozart, Elgar and The Beatles as well as comparing music from different eras. They also experience meeting musicians through support with MAPAS (Music and Performing Arts Salford). They attend concert performances both in and out of school. They can play a variety of musical instruments from all over the world. Children sing in a choir and perform during our weekly ‘singing assemblies’ as well as local performances in church and community centres.
Our music curriculum ensures pupils sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. Children begin to experience musical activities from Nursery as part of expressive arts and design. Key stage 1 and 2 children are taught music, largely, by their class teacher, in 3 half termly blocks although some aspects of music learning are ongoing throughout the year. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use the language of music to discuss it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom, pupils learn how to play various un-tuned and tuned percussion instruments. In doing so they understand the different principles of creating notes, as well as how to devise and read their own musical scores and basic music notation. They also learn how to compose, focussing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion, vocal sounds and technology is also part of the curriculum, which develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument.
Children throughout the school sing during collective worship times. We have singing practice once a week and children in years 3 to 6 are given the opportunity to join the choir. The school choir sing carols at Christmas time, both at church and in the local community. Singing plays a prominent part in all school productions at Christmas and at the end of the school year as well as Year 6 taking part in ‘Young Voices’.
Many children, from KS1 onwards, take the opportunity to study a musical instrument with peripatetic teachers with a wide range of instruments being offered.