Introduction
Music is a powerful means of communication and is one of the highest forms of creativity. It brings children together and creates opportunities to work with one another using a universal language. It is an art that can be practiced, appreciated and enjoyed at many levels. Music develops children’s ability to take part in practical activities, both individually and in groups, that encourages and cultivates an enjoyment of different genres of music. Additionally, Music reflects the culture and society we live in and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world they live in. It is a creative and fun activity but can also be a highly challenging subject. It is our aim that all children at Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School experience a high-quality, inspiring music education which instils a life-long enjoyment and appreciation for music.
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum 2014 for Music aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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 Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School it is our vision that Music will be an inspiring and enjoyable subject that supports children to develop our key learning behaviours and skills for life.
Aspiration
Music will encourage all children to be aspirational learners by giving them the ability to compose some music individually and in small groups. Children will be encouraged to be aspirational when listening carefully and investigating a piece of music to learn as much as possible about it and so appreciate different forms of music. Engaging in high quality music lessons will increase pupil’s self-confidence and sense of achievement.
Creativity
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Music will encourage and provide opportunities for children to be creative and imaginative learners composing and making their own music to suit a variety of experiences. Children will develop descriptive skills when learning about how music can represent feelings and emotions.
Curiosity
Music will encourage children to explore music, cultures and instruments. Children will be encouraged to be curious learners developing new skills and knowledge in listening, appraising and composing music. Children will be encouraged to be curious so that they can create and enjoy a wide variety of music styles.
Courage
Children will learn that mistakes will be made in the composition process and improvements will need to be made. Learning that it is OK to make mistakes is integral to learning. Music will also provide children with opportunities to be risk takers.
Cooperation
In Music the children will be given opportunities to work as part of a composing team, sharing ideas and evaluating which ones will support the team to meet the composition brief in the best and most creative way. Cooperation and listening skills will be essential skills for the composing team to work effectively.
Independence
In Music the children will have the opportunity to work independently appraising and composing their own music. Their own opinions, thoughts and ideas about music that they hear or compose will be valued.
