Music

 

Welcome to our Music Curriculum, where we strive to develop an enjoyment and lasting connection between the children and the power of music. Our music curriculum is designed to not only teach musical skills but to develop a greater appreciation for music the 'art form' and its vital role in reflection and enjoyment. In addition, we enjoy using music in a cross curricular manner, such as assisting in our learning of multiplication tables or in other key elements within our curriculum, such as learning Viking war chants or Anglo-Saxon rowing songs.  

We believe that music is a universal language that can bridge gaps, and as such, our children through singing assemblies, workshops (such as African drumming) and the like are exposed to musical traditions from around the world. By understanding and appreciating different cultures and societies through their musical expressions, the children gain a wider understanding that enriches them and their learning. 

We use ‘Sing Up!’ as a foundation of our music curriculum, which means through engaging lessons, exploratory activities, and collaborative projects, we are striving to ignite a passion for music that extends beyond the classroom.  

We hope that through our Music Curriculum, we are not just teaching notes; but, we are nurturing a lifelong love for music and providing the children with the tools to understand and appreciate its profound impact on different cultures, societies, and their own personal development.  

We deliver a broad and balanced music curriculum, in line with national requirements, which enables 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.

• Learn to sing and use their voices.

• Create and compose music on their own and alongside their peers.

• Have the opportunities to learn a musical instrument, use technology properly and to progress to the next level of musical excellence.

• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

Our School is a Lead School for Music! 

We are excited to share that our school is now a Lead School for Music as part of the Kent & Medway Music Hub, led by Kent Music.

This means we’ll be working closely with other schools, music organisations and Kent Music to help shape and grow music education across the county. Being a Lead School gives us the chance to share our ideas, celebrate music-making, and make sure children everywhere get the opportunity to enjoy music in and out of school.

We’re really proud to take on this role and look forward to seeing our children continue to shine through music! 

 

 

Celebrating Our Music Mark Award

We are delighted to share some exciting news: alongside becoming a Lead school for music in Kent, our school has also been awarded the prestigious Music Mark Award. This recognition is not only a testament to our children’s enthusiasm and commitment to music, but also a reflection of the ambition and quality at the heart of our music curriculum.

The Music Mark is awarded to schools who demonstrate a genuine dedication to providing high-quality music education. It celebrates a commitment to ensuring that all children have access to musical opportunities, whether through curriculum lessons, ensembles, or creative projects.

At our school, music plays an essential role in enriching the lives of our children. From classroom learning to performances, workshops, and extracurricular groups, we strive to give everyone the chance to explore and develop their musical potential. The award acknowledges both the hard work of our children and the dedication of our staff, who go above and beyond to inspire creativity and passion for music.

We are incredibly proud of this achievement, but even more excited about what it means for the future. The Music Mark is not just an award—it is encouragement to keep growing, innovating, and ensuring that music remains central to our school life.

 

 

 

Every term at school we shine a spotlight on a different composer, learning about their life, their music, and the magic they brought to the world. This term, our focus is on none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – one of the most famous composers of all time!

To make it extra special, we are exploring Mozart’s wonderful opera, The Magic Flute, with the help of the English National Opera and the Royal Ballet. The children will be discovering the characters, the story, and of course the beautiful music that makes this opera so exciting and timeless.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone to experience Mozart’s music in a fun and engaging way, and we can’t wait to see how the children respond as they learn more about this incredible composer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 4 Begin Their Trumpet Adventure! 

In the first full week of Term 1, Year 4 have begun an exciting new musical journey with Mr Royston (from Kent Music) – learning to play the trumpet! From the moment the shiny instruments were handed out, there was a real buzz in the room - literally!

The children started by learning the very first step to playing: making a buzzing sound with their lips. It may sound funny, but this is the secret to getting the trumpet to sing. Once they had mastered their buzz, they explored how to hold the trumpet properly – no easy task, as many were surprised to discover just how heavy a trumpet really is!

With Mr Royston’s help, the class then tried out the valves – the buttons on top of the trumpet that change the notes. Combining their buzzing with the valves, the children were thrilled to find they could play their very first notes: C and D. The room was soon filled with the 'joyful' sound of trumpets and lots of proud smiles.

It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm as the children discovered the magic of brass playing. There were giggles, challenges, and some very determined faces – but most of all, there was fun.

We can’t wait to see how Year 4 progress on their trumpet adventure over the next two terms. Who knows – maybe we have some future jazz stars, orchestral players, or even a new Louis Armstrong in the making!

Well done Year 4 – keep buzzing!

 

 

Year 4 have been thoroughly enjoying their trumpet lessons this term! The classroom has been full of energy (and plenty of noise!) as the children learn new notes, rhythms, and tunes.

Here’s what some of them had to say: