Music

At Upton St James (USJ), we aim to provide a high-quality music education which enables children to ‘rise to their best’ and develop a love of music whilst increasing self-confidence, creativity and a sense of achievement. We want to ensure that music is an inspiring and engaging experience that enables every child to develop their musical potential and develops an appreciation of the value of music that is deeply personal to them. We want children to have a curiosity for the subject and a respect for the role that music may play in any person’s life. 

We endeavour to provide a variety of musical experiences through our curriculum which develops learning, improves knowledge and promotes pupil well-being through building up the confidence of all children.  We believe that music can impact the way that children feel, think and act; we want music to encourage the body and mind to work together, develop motor skills and allow self-expression. 

Pupils at USJ have the opportunity to perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. They learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music and also have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Children develop descriptive language skills in music lessons when learning about how music can represent different feelings, emotions and narratives. We also teach technical vocabulary such as volume, pitch, beat and rhythm and encourage children to discuss music using these terms.  We also aim for our children to use music as a means to demonstrate ‘loving their neighbour as themselves’ (taken from Mark 12 v30 –31) in action and to develop their teamwork as they compose, perform and evaluate music together.  

We want our children to: 
•    Develop a love and appreciation of music. 
•    Make judgements and express personal preferences about the quality and style of music. 
•    Listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of genres, styles and historical periods. 
•    Create and compose music both individually and collaboratively. 
•    Develop an ability to understand rhythm, structure and organisation. 
•    Be given opportunities to play a wide variety of instruments, both tuned and un-tuned. 
•    Read and write musical notation. 
•    Have knowledge of and use a range of musical vocabulary to discuss music and develop descriptive language skills. 
•    Sing in tune using voices to create different effects. 
•    Take part in performances with an awareness of audience. 
•    Display a deep understanding of our school values by listening to, interpreting and expressing themselves through music. 

The implementation of our intent is planned using the Charanga Music Scheme. Charanga is designed to ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum. It provides wide exposure to musical styles and genres from different times and places and promotes the exploration of the language of music through active listening, performing and composing activities. 

Each unit follows a sequence of learning: listen and appraise, interrelated dimensions of music, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composition, perform and share. This approach ensures the children get a rich learning experience covering all aspects of music. 

There is a clear progression of knowledge to accompany each unit that sets out exactly how the children progress throughout the year and year on year.  

As part of the scheme, children are given the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments, with a focus on Glockenspiels. Children are taught one music unit per half term. Our Music curriculum reflects the intent of our whole school curriculum. 

As a result of our high-quality music education, the impact for children at USJ will be: 

Our children will have access to a varied programme, which allows them 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 a child may access fundamental abilities. 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. 

As a result of the music curriculum, children at Upton St James develop a love of music and increased understanding of the impact that music can have on their own and others’ lives. 

 Children demonstrate progression of musical knowledge which they continuously build on and embed. Through music, children develop the fundamental competencies of confidence, curiosity, collaboration, communication, creativity, commitment and craft. Children develop an understanding of culture and history in relation to themselves individually, their local music heritage and music from ethnicities from around the world.