Music

Intent

Music is enjoyed and valued at Dilton Marsh C of E Primary School. Our intention is that all children will form a lasting love of music both through the curriculum, and also through its power to bring us together, particularly through worship. In line with our school vision, the objective is to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life, in a safe, nurturing and challenging environment.

We are committed to ensuring children develop their cultural capital to include different genres and styles of music from around the world, as well as understanding the value and importance of music in the wider community. Children are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts. Understanding what it is to be British and the values of our nation are also central to our work, and through music, we intend to play a key role in this by developing a knowledge and appreciation of the traditions of British music and the ways in which music has been central to our culture throughout history.

Our school vision is Together, we strive to provide a safe, nurturing and challenging environment within our Christian ethos of kindness and respect.

We share a passion for life-long learning and strive for the best for ourselves, others and the World.

Children are encouraged to become independent, curious and resilient learners with the ability to learn from their mistakes and accept challenges.

“For Nothing is Impossible with God.” Luke 1 : 37

Implementation

Our music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform, create and evaluate. This is embedded in classroom activities but also extends to worship in school and church, various concerts and performances, the learning of instruments, and the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

Music is taught both as a discreet subject and across the curriculum due to the way it can naturally be incorporated into many other subjects to enhance learning. We follow the Model Music Curriculum in Key Stages 1 and 2, building on the skills developed in EYFS. We encourage children to express themselves through singing and playing music, with some units of work leading towards a performance for the school. We use Charanga to support our curriculum lessons and lessons are planned in sequences to allow opportunities for children to review, remember, deepen and apply their understanding.

The interrelated dimensions of music are taught in curriculum lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music in discussion, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom, children are given the opportunity to make music using instruments and non-musical idioms, and in doing so understand the different principles of creating sounds, as well as how to read a variety of music notation methods. They also learn how to compose, focussing on different dimensions of music and starting points, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing music. Composing or performing using body percussion and vocal sounds is also part of the curriculum as this develops the understanding of musical elements, without the added complexity of instruments. In addition, all children in Years 3 and 4 receive First Access provision on the ukulele, delivered by a music specialist.

Music is played at the start and end of worship and regular listening is incorporated into the school day, promoting an ethos whereby music is part of everyday life at Dilton Marsh C of E Primary School, just as it is in life beyond the primary school years.

Impact

Music at Dilton Marsh C of E Primary School enables children to develop an understanding and respect of culture and history, both in relation to them individually, and in relation to ethnicities from across the world. They will also be able to articulate the part British music plays in establishing our national identity and enhancing our culture. Children are provided with opportunities beyond the curriculum to support their musical journeys. These include watching concerts both in and out of school, being exposed to musical talent and participating in school productions. External interests and talents are also encouraged and showcased in class and as a whole school, ensuring that everyone is challenged regardless of previous musical experience.

Children can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They develop their coordination, memorisation, language and reasoning skills and have an understanding of how to further develop as a musician. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose- as listeners, creators and performers, and we encourage sharing this music with our wider school community.

The varied music curriculum also gives children an understanding of how to further skills less known to them, should they ever choose to pursue this interest, as well as the opportunity to develop life skills such as self-confidence, risk-taking, teamwork and pride in what they do, helping them to aspire to be their best selves, both in their time at Dilton Marsh C of E Primary School and beyond.