Music

MUSIC

Intent 

At Widewell, 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 intention 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. As children progress, they will be encouraged to think critically towards their own and others’ pieces of music and value music as an important way to convey and express emotions and meaning. 

 Our aims in music are: 

  • The fostering of pupil`s sensitivity to, and their understanding and enjoyment of music. 

  • The development of the awareness and appreciation of the wide diversity of music styles, genres and traditions across a range of historical periods including the works of the great composers and musicians. 

  • For children to learn to sing and to use their voices, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence. 

  • To enable the pupils to become sensitive and analytical listeners and to develop an aesthetic appreciation of sound. 

  • The development of creativity through composition, both individually and collectively. 

  • The development of study skills, including attention to detail, lengthened attention span, concern for accuracy, memorizing and the interpretation of sounds and symbols. 

  • The development of communication skills, including listening skills. 

  • The development of social skills such as co-operation, resourcefulness, perseverance, tolerance and self-confidence. 

  • To 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. 

  • The development of self-assessment through individual / group / class evaluations and appraisals through listening to recorded and live performances. 

  • This policy should be read in conjunction with our policies for curriculum, assessment and PSHE. 

 

 

Implementation 

The music curriculum ensures pupils sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate a range of music during their time at Widewell Primary Academy. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies, choir performances, achievement assemblies and year group theme assemblies. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use musical vocabulary to discuss it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. At Widewell, we have a specialist music teacher who plans and teaches to ensure that the children consistently have a quality first music education. The children will learn how to compose focusing on different dimensions of music, 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, which develops the understanding of Musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument. Where possible, we ensure that the children’s music learning is thematic to enable them to become fully immersed in their music knowledge and understanding. For example, during a history theme, they are exposed to historical music and compositions and during a geography theme, children discover more about music from around the world. 

 

Impact 

Whilst at Widewell, children have access to a varied programme which allows pupils to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon. The integral nature of music and the learner creates an enormously rich palette from which children may access fundamental abilities such as: achievement, self-confidence, interaction with and awareness of others, and self-reflection. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to pupils individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world. Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer. Children are encouraged to understand that music is a fundamental part of our daily lives and is a valued career choice, should it be something that they wish to pursue.