Music is life and that is why our hearts have beats! Cecily Morgan
Introduction to Music :
Music is a foundation subject of the National Curriculum and an important part of developing our children’s ability to develop their creativity, express their ideas and understanding and to work both individually and collaboratively with others. Each class plans music lessons, which aim to ensure that children are able to develop specific key skills. At Hoole St. Michael, we pride ourselves on the singing which takes place. Singing is a part of every music lesson. As a church school, we also see singing hymns as an important factor within our worship and a means of collectively praising the word of God. The warmth and depth of feeling behind the children’s singing is certainly moving and gives everyone a feeling of togetherness and enjoyment.
Our aim is 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.
Curriculum Intent:
At Hoole St. Michael, we feel passionately about music and as such we value it as an essential ingredient in our children’s curriculum. It makes a vital contribution to school life, where it is frequently celebrated and promoted. An early start in music can result in music becomming a life-long passion. This is a gift which is precious and God given and one which we can all communicate in.
Our music curriculum provides musical activities that include pupils of all backgrounds, interests and abilities . We encourage all children to learn a musical instrument and have class sets of glockenspiels, recorders and ukuleles. We ensure that our children have the opportunity to perform both individually and as part of larger groups. This is through: in-house musical concerts; plays; talent shows; taking part in local performing arts festivals; perfoming at community carol concerts; and as part of Sing Together.
Additional individual music teaching is offered through using Lancashire peripatetic teachers. We currently offer brass and guitar lessons
Our main aim is to produce a love of music through our broad and balanced curriculum in the knowledge that making music is not only good for the brain but also the heart.
Curriculum Implementation:
To ensure that high standards of teaching and learning occur in music, we implement a curriculum which is progressive throughout the school. The planning, teaching and implementation of music is based on the National Curriculum 2014 and Expressive Arts and Design in the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a school, we adapt and use units from Charanga. During each half term, we study a classical piece of music in order to develop the children’s musical appreciation.
Curriculum Impact
At Hoole St Michael, children are enthusiastic about music. The use of musical vocabulary is developed and celebrated along with many musical talents. We aim for our children to have developed a love of music and for some a life-long passion for playing.
The Music Subject Leader is Mrs Mesghali