The strands of the Music National Curriculum
- 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 to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity 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 Vision for Music…
At Eaves, it is our intention 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. We want music to be an enjoyable experience for all children and aim to develop not only their talent as musicians, but also their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. We aim to encourage children to have a curiosity for the subject and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life. We are committed to helping children the impact music can have and the value of it in the wider community. Our objective is that children are able to use their musical skills, teamed with their progressing musical vocabulary to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.
Why is Music important?
At Eaves, it is crucial that music is accessed by all learners. They have access to a varied programme, which allows pupils to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. Teachers plan lessons with clear progression of skills and knowledge, and take into account those learners who need extra support as well as those who may access external music tuition or lessons from peripatetic music teachers. Music lessons at Eaves give children the opportunity to develop their understanding of culture and history, both individually and across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in a way they choose, as a listener, creator or performer.
What Music looks like…
At Eaves, we ensure that music is being taught to a high standard across school. To do this, we implement a curriculum that is progressive and excites the children to develop their own skills as musicians. Children learn that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. As children progress at Eaves, they develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, appraise and appreciate. The Charanga scheme of work is used from Year 1—6 to ensure a wide exposure to different genres of music, with lots of practical opportunities to explore and develop as musicians and performers. During lessons, the elements of music are taught so that children are able to use musical language to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. Children are given the opportunity to learn an instrument during their units, and this is progressed throughout the school. In doing this, they understand the different principles of creating notes, as well as how to read and write basic music notation.
