Music

Monitoring of Music: SLT

Music plays a major part in the life of the school and children participate in a variety of musical activities as part of the curriculum, including singing, percussion bands and guitar playing. The music curriculum gives children opportunities to perform (controlling sounds through singing and playing); compose (Creating and developing ideas); appraise (responding and reviewing); and listen to music (applying knowledge and understanding). Music is taught by a specialist teacher.

All children are given the opportunity to learn to play the ukulele in Year 3 and the guitar in Year 5.

Through their participation in assemblies, Masses, concerts and special community events, children are able to demonstrate their skills to live audiences with growing confidence.

We have a thriving school choir, who contribute to the parish liturgy and have traveled up to London to take part in the Young Voices concert at the O2.

Music - Intent

At Stella Maris it is our intent to foster a love of music within a musical curriculum built to develop learning and improve well-being. We are committed to ensuring children understand the importance of music in the wider community, and can use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts.

We aim 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 play in any person’s life.

Music - Implementation

Our curriculum ensures that our students sing, play, listen, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in lessons as well as singing assemblies, the learning of instruments, our school choir and our various concerts and performances. Pupils learn that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity.

We teach the elements of music so that children can use some of the language of music to dissect and understand how music is made, played, appreciated and analysed. Our pupils also learn how to create, focusing on different dimensions of music, which in turn feeds their understanding when listening, playing, or analysing.

Music - Impact

The connection between music and the student creates a rich palette from which they can access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, self-reflection, and interaction with and awareness of others.

Music can also create an insight into culture and history, both in relation to students individually as well as societies and ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music in as many ways as they choose, either as listener, creator or performer. They can sing and feel a pulse. They can analyse music and understand its parts.

Music Progression of Skills