Intent
Our Core Value of 'Enjoyment' is especially key in our music provision: first and foremost our intent is for pupils to enjoy music and be able to express themselves creatively. We focus on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need in order to become confident performers, composers and listeners. Our curriculum introduces children to music from all around the word and across generations, teaching children to respect and appreciate the music of all traditions and communities. This is important in reflecting the diverse nature of our Beulah community.
Children will develop the key skills of singing; playing tuned and untuned instruments; improvising and composing and listening and responding to music. They will develop an understanding of the history and cultural context of the music they listen to and learn how music can be written down. Our curriculum also helps children develop transferrable skills such as team-work, leadership, creative thinking, problem solving and decision making. There are also many opportunities for children to present and perform the musical projects they have worked on. We want every child to feel that they are musical and have confidence to perform publicly. These skills are vital to their development as learners and have a wider application in their general lives outside and beyond school.
Implementation
Each class is taught a weekly music session by an inspiring music specialist in a well-equipped music room with a range of tuned and untuned percussion and keyboards. We follow the 'Kapow' curriculum which takes a holistic approach to music, in which the individual strands are woven together to create engaging and enriching learning experiences:
Performing
Listening
Composing
The history of music
The inter-related dimensions of music
Each five-lesson unit combines these strands with a cross-curricular topic designed to capture pupil's imagination and encourage them to explore music enthusiastically. Over the course of the scheme, children will be taught how to sing fluently and expressively, and play tuned and untuned instruments with control. They learn to recognise and name the inter-related dimensions of music: pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, texture and dynamics. They then develop these expressively in their own improvisations and compositions.
Singing sessions
Pupils also take part in weekly singing sessions and explore using their voices in a variety of ways, including holding a part in rounds and harmonies. Songs form part of assemblies and celebrations throughout the year.
Whole class instrumental
Starting in year 3, pupils also spend a half term unit term developing expertise in playing tuned percussion. They will then develop these skills through whole class lessons annually. In these sessions, they learn about a range of world music and focus on reading musical notation to perform on their instruments. They are also encouraged to continue to use these skills for composing and performing as they move up the school.
Extra-curricular
Beulah Junior School Choir rehearse on Wednesday lunchtimes. All pupils are welcome to join this group, which is fun and social. We are focusing on learning to sing songs which include 2-part harmony. There is also a music club which takes place after school. Children can develop their skills in performing on an instrument and composing - including composing using technology.
We are very proud of the talents of our many children who are musically gifted. Regular concerts, which parents are encouraged to attend, are held for children to showcase these talents, alongside the fantastic class performances of their work from music lessons. Concerts usually take place towards the end of the Autumn and Summer Terms.
