Music

Music Champion:

Mrs Balcon

Most of us come across music pretty much every day, whether that be on the radio, TV and even times we don't even realise such as during films. It is very much part of our everyday lives and has a huge effect on health and well-being by promoting positive emotions! It is fabulous that our school provides an opportunity for all children to learn a range of instruments and learn about music history and I really look forward again this year to seeing the incredible musicians that our curriculum promotes.

Our Music Development Plan outlines how our school delivers music education to all our pupils across three areas – curriculum music, co-curricular provision and musical experiences – and what changes we are planning in future years.

This information is to help pupils and parents or carers understand what our school offers and who we work with to support our pupils’ music education.

See this document further down this page.

An overview of Music at Fairmeadows

Our Vision

Intent:

For children to develop self-expression and creativity through experiences to listen and perform and to learn an instrument (in KS2) and to have a critical approach to musical experiences, understanding that people may have different tastes in music and that music does not have to be ‘liked’ to be appreciated.

Delivery:

We have adopted the scheme Charanga to support and improve the quality of music teaching that children receive at our school. Charanga works seamlessly with the national curriculum ensuring that learners revisit the interrelated dimensions of music: pulse, voice, pitch and rhythm- building upon previous learning and skills. The learning within this Scheme is based on: Listening and Appraising, Musical Activities, creating and exploring and singing and performing.

All learners from Reception-Y6 receive a weekly music lesson.

Reception + KS1 are taught through Charanga.
Lower KS2 (Year 3 + 4) receive whole class instrumental lessons from Entrust Staffordshire.
Upper KS2 (Year 5 + 6) receive whole class instrumental lessons from The Derby and Derbyshire Music Partnership.

The Charanga music scheme allows children to experience a new topic and style of music every half term. These lessons provide children with the opportunity to listen and respond to different styles of music, use their voices and instruments to listen and sing back and have a go at composing their own piece of music. The lessons are planned so that each year children follow on from the learning they completed the previous year and clear progression is evident across the school.

In addition to the taught music curriculum learners listen to a range of music styles and genres in assembly, as well as having a singing assemblies.

Instrumental Teaching 24-25:

Y3 – Ukulele

Y4 – Ukulele

Y5 – Brass

Y6 – Brass

Musical experiences at Fairmeadows:

In Key Stage 2, all children will receive tuition from experienced practitioners through external providers; Entrust and Derbyshire Music Partnership.
Children in Year 4 and above can choose to continue musical tuition in school through private lessons – parents are required to meet the cost and these are arranged through the Music Partnership.
Those who play instruments are encouraged to utilise their skills in school by joining a band/ South Derbyshire Ensemble and playing in concerts.
The school choir will also take part in various concerts and events throughout the year.
The children perform at the end of a cycle of work for a live audience (parents / peers).
In Key Stage 2 children also have the opportunity to enjoy a trip to Young Voices. This opportunity allows our students to perform in some of the countries greatest arenas alongside talented musicians.
Games: To understand how pulse, rhythm and pitch work together to create music through Warm-up Games and Flexible Games.
Singing: Sing songs/raps together in a group/ensemble.
Playing Instruments: Use Glocks, recorders or other instruments if appropriate. Learn to play together in a band or ensemble.
Improvisation: Learn that improvisation is when you make up your own tune or rhythm. An improvisation is not written down or notated. If written down in any way or recorded, it becomes composition.
Composition: Learn that composition is creating rhythms and melodies that are notated or recorded in some way.
Musicians: To learn about movers and shakers in classic and modern music.
Musical history: Experience and critically review modern and classic forms of music.
Music technology: Learn how listening to music has developed through live rendition, CD, digital and streamed music.
E-Safety: To understand that downloading music without paying is illegal and a form of stealing – it could lead to virus’ and aid criminal activity.
Music visits: To experience live music through secondary school visits, and professionally performed concerts.
Private Tuition: To further develop skills through learning an instrument.
School Choir: To develop singing ability and perform collectively.