Music
Philosophy and Approach
At Cornerstone Schools we are passionate about music and we aim to nurture a love of music and musical expression in the children.
Our curriculum for Music aims to ensure that all pupils can:
- perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
- learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others; have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument; use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
- understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations
Our intention is that children gain a firm understanding of what music is through performing, composing, transcribing and describing a variety of genres in music. We aim for the children to be able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music to their own and others’ lives, wellbeing and also the impact music has in the wider community.
What you will see in Music lessons
The music curriculum ensures students sing, listen, play, compose, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as singing in worship, various concerts and performances and the learning of instruments. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed.
In KS1 children are taught music through carefully planned, weekly lessons involving singing and the use of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, encompassing all musical elements.
Due to the class structure at our schools, we have created a four-year rolling scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We integrate plans and resources from the KPOW music scheme, whilst working alongside professional musicians from the County Music Service, to deliver an enjoyable and varied music curriculum. Every child in KS2 has the opportunity to learn an instrument, and in doing so, they learn to read basic music notation and experience the joy of making music together and on stage. Children also have the opportunity to take their instrument home to practice.
All children also have the opportunity to be taught an instrument through paid lessons given by a peripatetic teacher, who comes into school once a week.
Impact
Throughout a child’s time at Cornerstone Schools, their musical skills and understanding are built upon year on year, from singing simple songs from memory and performing simple rhythm patterns in KS1, to more advanced techniques skills and understanding in KS2 where the children learn to play an instrument confidently and have the ability to read and follow a simple musical score. Throughout all of this, the child’s enjoyment of music is a key element, running alongside the ‘taught’ musical skills and objectives.