Music

Intent

At Sacred Heart RC Primary and Nursery School we aim to provide our students with opportunities to develop a passion for Music and performing Arts. We believe that the opportunity to engage in musical experiences is crucial for the development of the whole child. Through playing, creating, singing and performing, children develop confidence, communication, thinking and creative skills. The pupils have access to music through regular classroom activities and music lessons, school choir and singing in morning worship and hymns. Children are taught to listen carefully and experience a wide range of music from different times and cultures. Our aim is to provide a music curriculum which will enable each child to reach their full potential in music, encourage children to enjoy singing, composing and performing and provide children with the opportunity to perform in front of an audience both within and outside of school. Our pupils are given the opportunity to perform in different forums such as in the local community as part of an Inter School Choir, Young Voices, Nativity performances and school choir and church events.

Implementation

A specialist music teacher from Junior Jam teaches music to the children in Y1-6 every week. Junior Jam teach music to enable children to make sense of their own individuality by exploring meaningful fictitious situations that have equivalents in the real world, and this is utilised in schools through structured music, dance, and drama to encourage pupils to learn actively and interactively throughout the primary years. The Arts give children opportunities to explore, discuss and deal with difficult issues and to express their emotions in a supportive environment. It encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning.

Percussion

During this course the students will explore different types of percussion. They will learn basic rhythms starting with hands and body percussion and use these techniques to create a soundscape. Using various pieces of percussion students will then learn how to play together and follow a conductor. They will use these instruments to play along to several different pieces of music and perform them, focusing on dynamics and tempo. Students will then have to create and perform a soundscape to a story line, using their percussion instruments to symbolise different moods, feelings and events. By the end of the course students will have a comfortable understanding of rhythm and percussion and be able to play and respond to each other within a musical ensemble.

Samba Drumming

Our Samba course introduces young people to the music of an exciting and different culture. The sessions teaches participants about the history of Brazilian culture, Samba music and the instruments involved in Samba music. Pupils are given the opportunity to play and develop skills in playing the Samba instruments on their own and as part of a group. As pupils progress they will focus on keeping time whilst playing as part of a group as well as the role each instrument plays within the Samba ensemble. Participants will master the techniques used to play every instrument within the Samba band including drums and other percussion instruments. Groups will focus on playing together as a bateria (rhythm section) and learn various 'breaks' as part of a final performance piece.

Music Theory

The Music Theory levels are an engaging way to teach your Music curriculum. Using Keyboards to aid the lesson, pupils will work through Piano skills, scales, notes, chords, sight reading and notation in a fun and engaging way. As pupils progress, they will improve coordination, rhythm, dexterity, the ability to recognise different tones within an array of musical genres and the ability to read key signatures.

Class Jam

This course aims to give children that opportunity and helps children work on their self-confidence with the instruments at the same time! The course involves pupils building on their musical skills using a range of instruments from Glockenspiel, African drums, Samba drums, Boomwhackers, Percussion and Voice. Using all the musical skills we will teach; they will be challenged to create music pieces and songs using all the instruments provided and everybody playing a role in a song. By the end of this course, children will have the ability and skills to perform songs as a class with each pupil playing an instrument that has a role in the song.

Song writing and Glockenspiels

Throughout this song writing course, children will learn to compose music using various techniques, including ostinati, body percussion, and graphic scores. They will write lyrics, analyse existing music, and perform their compositions. As they progress, they will focus on more advanced topics like creating EPs and understanding the music industry.

Vocals and Singing

Throughout this vocal and singing course, children will learn essential singing techniques, including warming up, breathing correctly, and using proper diction. They will develop their pitch matching, harmony, and vocal control skills. As they progress, they will explore different singing styles, genres, and vocal ranges, culminating in understanding the importance of choral singing and stage etiquette.

Keyboards

Throughout this keyboard course, children will learn the fundamentals of playing keyboards, including note recognition, rhythm, and proper technique. As they progress, they will develop their skills in reading music, performing independently and in ensembles, and playing with two hands. They will also explore different musical genres and begin to compose and improvise.