Music

INFORMED   INDEPENDENT INVESTED   INDIVIDUAL

Music at Ilketshall  

INFORMED

Using the scheme Charanga, we listen to and learn about many genres and styles of music.  We read about the artist, the history of the genre and we listen to other music in the same style. By the end of each unit, children should have a good appreciation for each style of music.  

Through Charanga, we also teach children how to read simple musical notation and they use glockenspiels to practise playing along to the featured track from each unit.  They learn about musical expressions and dynamics and how these effect and enhance their performance.

INDEPENDENT

We encourage pupils to have an opinion on all the music we listen to – there is no right and wrong.  We love it when pupils tell us what they think and we encourage them to make connections to other pieces of music that they may have heard and to think critically when comparing pieces.  There are always opportunities in music lessons for pupils to speak independently about the music we listen to and they are often opportunities to perform independently or ensemble, if children would like to.

INVESTED

Children learn how music fits into the world around them and this helps them to be invested in their world.  Music often reflects an era or a moment in time, which helps pupils learn more about world history.  Visiting musicians and choreographers have helped the children put together their own movements to a particular song (click here - Ipad photos 1045).  Through projects such as Unsung Heroes, the children have worked with visiting composers and musicians to write their own song about a local historical figure.  They performed their masterpiece at Snape Maltings concert hall, where it was filmed and streamed back to their primary schools and families.  Click here to see us rehearsing  (Ipad photos 1123).  

We take part in the Young Voices choir every other year, which involves the children travelling to London for a concert with thousands of other primary school children at the O2 Arena.  This was the highlight of Primary School for several Y6 leavers last year.   At Young Voices, as well as having the opportunity to learn incredible songs and perform with a professional orchestra, the children get to watch other performers, who will often speak about their love of music as well as issues that are important to them.  This all helps our children to feel invested in their world.

INDIVIDUAL

Children who take part in weekly rock-music lessons with Rock Steady gain not only the skills to play their chosen instrument but a huge growth in confidence as they participate in termly rock concerts for the wider school community.  Other pupils enjoy piano lessons with a visiting teacher.  In class Music lessons, we encourage individuality in composition and performance and we love pupils to give their individual opinions.  Performance, whether as part of their weekly Music lesson; with Rock Steady; in singing assemblies; or as part of our school productions, builds confidence and raises self-esteem, helping pupils grow into well-rounded, confident, enthusiastic young people.