Music

Our Music progression document outlines key aspects of Music teaching and learning at Aspin Park Academy, following the Elevate Music Curriculum.

Pedagogical Approach

We engage the children by learning a song in a similar style and genre to the music we listened to initially. The children begin to collect ideas for improvising and composing by listening to a song together. We develop the skills to be used in their composition, improvisation and performance through rhythm games and activities and vocal warm ups. The children then connect all their ideas and gathered skills to develop improvisation, performance and composition skills.  They then move on to use tuned percussion instruments to create accompaniments for the unit song and to compose and improvise their own rhythms and melodies. To harvest their learning in music each unit of work concludes with a performance of the song the children have been learning, using the skills they have been working during the unit.

Intent

At Aspin Park Academy, we believe that music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. As a vehicle for personal expression it can play an important part in the personal development of children. Music reflects the culture and society we live in and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world they live in. We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms, and to begin to make judgements about the quality of music. 

By the end of EYFS we aim for our children to be able to: 

• Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs 
• Perform songs and rhymes with others 
• Try to move in time with music.  

By the end of KS1 we aim for our children to be able to: 

• Listen to different styles of music and talk about what they notice 
• Sing simple songs with expression 
• Play tuned and untuned instruments to copy rhythms and vary the tempo 
• Improvise and compose to create a mood or to represent a picture or scene 
• Read and create graphic scores 
• Recognise minim, crotchet and quaver and know their values 

By the end of KS2 we aim for our children to be able to: 

• Compare music with an awareness of the music’s context, purpose and composer’s intent 
• Understand the basic concepts and timeline of music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras 
• Sing confidently in parts with increasing control and expression 
• Prepare for whole class performances 
• Play tuned and untuned instruments with confidence and the correct technique 
• Compose music that conveys an emotion or message 
• Write a tune using an eight-note musical score and perform from it

Implementation

We follow the Elevate Music Curriculum and deliver this using our own tailored Music scheme created using Charanga Musical School. Lessons are delivered by class teachers with support from the Music Subject Leader. Music forms an important part of our life as a school community and singing is a regular part of our school assemblies and classroom teaching across all areas of the curriculum. We also have a range of extra curricular groups including an orchestra and a KS2 choir.

Impact 

At Aspin Park Academy we believe that music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. As a vehicle for personal expression, it can play an important part in the personal development of children. Music reflects the culture and society we live in and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world they live in through exposure to music from cultures that are different to their own

Children say… 

‘I like music because I feel like everyone’s joining in and having fun.’ 

‘I like music because everyone joins in and I like listening to the music we make.’  

‘I like playing guitar because it’s fun and takes my mind off the bad worries and brings in good thoughts.’ 

Extra curricular activities 

We have a range of extra curricular activities for our children to take part in. These include KS2 Choir, orchestra and recorder groups. These groups perform at various concerts and events, both in and out of school. Recent performances have included the Young Voices concert at Sheffield Arena and the Kids Aloud concert at the Royal Hall in Harrogate. 

Instrumental lessons 

Children in KS2 have the opportunity to take instrumental or voice lessons through the North Yorkshire County Music Service. Instrumental teachers come into school to teach group or individual lessons during the school day. Full information and to register for lessons go to  www.northyorkshiremusichub.co.uk/instrumental-tuition/general-information-nycc-music-service/ 

Suggested Books

100 Things to know about Music 

Hold On to Your Music: The Inspiring True Story of the Children of Willesden Lane 

The Very Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra: With 10 Musical Sounds!