Music
'Shout for joy to the Lord, all the Earth, burst into jubilant song with music.'
Psalm 98:4
Mission Statement
Our mission is to work to develop the full potential of each individual in an environment where the Gospel values of love, peace, truth and justice are lived out.
Introduction
At St. Mary’s, music is an integral part of our prayer and worship. We feel strongly that children are able to form a closer relationship to God through music. All children will have the opportunity to sing, to listen to music, to experience different musical instruments and to perform and to enjoy music. Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. As pupils progress, they will develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and listen to a wide range of music from their own cultural heritage and from other cultures.
Our principal aim is that children leave St Mary’s Catholic Primary School with a wide range of happy and rich memories in Music formed through interesting and exciting experiences. We will provide opportunities that enhance a child’s awareness of their own abilities and strengths as a learner in Music; thus, ensuring that children see learning in music as an ongoing journey. At St Mary’s, children will gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, appraising, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions and musical genres. 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 and express themselves in music in a variety of different contexts.
Implementation
The carefully designed schemes of learning provided in Charanga ensure consistency and progress of all learners across the school. Children prepare and perform in musical-based productions, where they rehearse and perform to audiences. All children have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument at some point in their St Mary’s journey. At St Mary’s, children are given the opportunity to access extracurricular musical participation opportunities such as choir, singing in the local community and peripatetic music lessons.
Impact
The children at St Mary’s are engaged and happy children. Their work in music through the school promotes a healthy mind and spirit. It provides opportunities to explore different cultures through a shared medium. Children are respectful of other people’s opinions and preferences in music and can explain their own using age-appropriate musical vocabulary. At St Mary’s, children talk enthusiastically about their learning in Music and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education. Through wider reading in music, children will gain an appreciation and understanding of the background and historical context of music and of the lives and interactions of the composers.
Cultural Capital
At St Mary’s we wish all children to leave our school and go on to succeed in life. All children are on their own individual journey but they should be confident in the knowledge that opportunities exist for them, no matter where their path begins. At St. Mary’s we build children’s Cultural Capital through the teaching of music lessons. We embrace and teach children about a variety of musicians from different backgrounds, heritage, language, traditions, and musical periods across a range of musical genres. Children become familiar with musicians who have gone before them and influenced them to adopt and adapt their styles to create their own musical piece. Classical music and music from other countries is regularly played as children come into class or assembly to widen opportunities for listening to different types of music and discussions follow.
British Values
Children develop respect of other people’s opinions through discussion on musical preferences. Children show mutual respect and appreciation for other children’s musical performances. Children use democracy when voting on their favourite piece/ performance, using their voice to explain their choices and also work together in collaboration to plan performances. They develop tolerance for other children’s opinions when talking about favourite music genres and they follow rules and learn how to take turns through musical games to make a successful musical experience. Children develop their individual liberty during solo, group performances and class/year group productions developing their self-esteem, confidence and pride.
Peripatetic Music Lessons
St Mary’s are proud to have the long-standing tradition of a large uptake of peripatetic instrumental lessons with Tameside Music Service. Currently we have children learning the flute, recorder and clarinet. Lessons can be in small groups or individual – arranged with the service.
Wider Opportunities – Whole class instrumental lessons
Each year we are pleased to be able to offer whole class instrumental lessons, taught by a Tameside Music Service teacher. Currently our Year 4 children are learning the trumpet. Instrumental lessons bring a wealth of learning experience to children, and there is interesting research looking into the effects learning to play an instrument has on other developing skills such as social, emotional, visual memory, literacy skills as well as the overall positive effects on wellbeing and mental health.