EYFS

In Early years we teach music through a range of games and informal play provision. This term the children have been playing beat masters. This is where we count the beat using our bodies in different ways to emphasise the first beat of the bar. We know that the number four is very important in music. We have also looked at making musical patterns by repeating our own ideas using instruments.

The children have been loving Rock Steady and have been putting on their own performances in their play. This applies and practices the concept of beat and rhythm. We love using songs in our storytelling too.  

 

Year 1 and 2

In years 1 and 2 we build on this understanding of beat and rhythm through games, improvisation, composition and  performance. Beat tag is a real favourite where the children can only move on the first beat of the bar. This helps to develop their internal pulse. We then play 'poison rhythm' where the children keep the beat with their feet and copy a clapping rhythm in their hands. When they hear the poison rhythm they have to sit down quickly!!! We use musical vocabulary to describe music that we listen to. We build our vocabulary in readiness for KS2 through guessing games, mallets mallet and so much more! When we use a term correctly and insightfully we hear the house-point bell from our music teacher! 

This term we have been learning about note duration and how to begin to read simple notation. We have learnt actions for each note value...

 

We learn a new song or two each term and then on 'performance day' we bring all of our knowledge and skills together to play our instruments, sing and perform our piece.  We have a lot of fun! 

The children made their own rhythms using a 4 beat bar table and counters. Watch how they carefully follow the rhythms...

Creating 4/4 rhythms

great time keeping!

Great idea to follow with your finger!

They followed the beat carefully

Year 3 and 4 

In Year 3 and 4 we continue in our musical journey by building on our musical vocabulary to be able to identify different components of music and talk about composers choices while considering our own. We begin to play instruments confidently, reading and applying written music to glockenspiels, recorders and our own instruments (where we receive tuition). We develop our singing skills to perform competently and often do this in school assemblies. 

 

Year 5 and 6 

In our oldest class we use musical vocabulary fluently as part of our listening and appraising. We begin to understand where particular genres of music fit on the history timeline. This term we have been consolidating our understanding of beat, rhythm and melody by reading and writing musical notation. We sing in two or three parts where appropriate and develop our performance skills each term through a particular genre which helps us to learn about style indicators of music. 

This term we have been developing our understanding of time signatures...

We have begun using Yu:studio on our iPads this term to compose and improvise music. This utilises our solid understanding of beat and rhythm and enables us to create our own music in expressive ways. 

Whole school enrichment 

Rock Steady introduction assembly

Garsington Opera 

 

Choir – rehearsing for our spring concert

Music Tuition Singing Christmas carols with the brass band 

Singing worship in the church Bell ringing workshop 

Live Music concerts 

Singing workshops 

Annual Christmas Panto