Music
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Music plays an important part in school life. Pupils are encouraged to learn an instrument and tuition is offered on strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, group and individual recorder and singing. There is a team of well-qualified and enthusiastic musicians who visit the school on a weekly basis. They train chamber music groups as well as giving individual tuition. Music lessons run throughout the school day and are organised on a rotational basis. Regular practice is a vital part of learning an instrument and parents are encouraged to take an active part in this. Pupils are entered for Associated Board and Guildhall examinations when appropriate.
There is an orchestra, a string orchestra, wind band, a choir and a variety of chamber music groups as well as recorder groups for each year. Pupils are encouraged to participate in these activities. Informal concerts are held regularly and at the end of the year a concert is held in the University Concert Hall when all pupils take part.
A class music course based on the National Curriculum requirement is taught throughout the School. There is a balance between performing, composing and listening. A proportion of the work is linked to other areas of the curriculum.
YEAR 3 : 3 lessons per week
All pupils are introduced to the descant recorder and are taught in groups according to ability. The elements of music - pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, duration are introduced and developed through singing a variety of songs, playing musical games and performing on classroom instruments. Composition is linked to a listening programme and pupils experiment with sound sources as a whole class and in small groups.
YEAR 4 : 2 lessons per week
The repertoire of songs is extended and pupils become familiar with more complex signs and symbols. They compose and perform accompaniments to songs using classroom instruments, recorders as well as the instruments they may be learning. Pupils continue with recorder tuition and have the opportunity to learn the treble recorder. Composition and listening work is linked to a history project on the Tudor period and geography project on the rain forests. From this work develops an increased awareness of the elements of music.
YEAR 5 : 2 lessons per week
The concept of chords and harmony is introduced. Projects on the Victorian period and the development of jazz incorporate these concepts. A wide variety of song material is learnt reading from traditional notation again building on the understanding of the elements of music. Music technology is introduced in Year 5 and is taught in small groups by a specialist.
YEAR 6 : 2 lessons per week
The pupils sing more advanced material with the opportunity for solo work and two/three part singing. Composition and listening is linked to musical form e.g. a march, a waltz, and a tone poem. In many classes pupils are encouraged to play the instruments they learn, they perform as individuals and are appraised by others. They plan and organise a form concert when individuals and small groups perform to an audience and where successful compositions are played.
