Intent
At Lent Rise School, the intention is that children gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres.
Our 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. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.
Implementation
At Lent Rise School, we ensure students have the opportunities to sing, listen, play, perform, compose and evaluate different types of music within our music sessions. This is embedded in classroom activities as well as various concerts and performances, the learning of instruments, and the joining of one of our many musical ensembles.
We follow Charanga’s Model Music Curriculum which gives children access to a wide range of musical concepts and experiences. The various elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom, we aim for students learn how to play an instrument, from all four main instrument groups of wind, strings, percussion and keyboards. In doing so, children will understand the different principle of each method of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation.
To further enrich our music curriculum, students will be introduced to different musical genres weekly, ranging from classical to contemporary, and spanning various cultures and regions around the world. This initiative aims to broaden students' musical horizons, foster an appreciation for global music traditions, and integrate multicultural perspectives into our music education.
Impact
Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer. They can dissect music and comprehend its parts. They can sing and feel a pulse. They have an understanding of how to further develop skills less known to them, should they ever develop an interest in their lives. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world.
We have adopted the Charanga music scheme at Lent Rise School to ensure consistency and progression throughout. Charanga provides extra support and resources to enhance our teaching of music. Charanga is an inclusive scheme, providing a variety of music styles and genres from different times and places. These are explored through the language of music via active listening, performing and composing activities, which enable understanding of the context and genre.
Through our music lessons children are actively involved in a wide range of musical opportunities. Children develop their singing voices, using body percussion and whole-body actions, and learning to handle and play classroom instruments effectively to create and express their own and others’ music. Through a range of whole class, group and individual activities, children have opportunities to explore sounds, listen actively, compose and perform.
