Music

At Chalkhill Primary School, we teach children that music is a universal language, covering all areas of the music curriculum, helping them to grow in confidence, acquire hobbies, express their feelings and develop positive well-being.

We enrich a love of music, developing a wide range of transferable musical skills and experiences through listening, composition and performance. Each child is given the opportunity to take part in a variety of musical activities including singing and learn a range of musical instruments. Each class receive weekly music lessons by our experienced music specialist, supported by enthusiastic teachers and support staff. Weekly singing assemblies are delivered to each key stage and peripatetic music tutors provide bespoke instrumental lessons in a variety of instruments. Music clubs such as school choir, boys’ choir, Steel Pan club and school orchestra are held throughout the school year to provide extra-curricular activities.

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Music Curriculum

Music-Curriculum-Overview

EYFS

Throughout the year children will focus on the three following areas: beat and tempo, finding the singing voice, and using instruments to accompany music.

Year 1

In year 1 all children take part in the Brent Music ‘Music’s Cool’ Violin programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for all children to play an instrument over the course of the year. The children will learn how to hold a bow properly, pluck and bow open strings, copy and repeat rhythmic phrases, sing a variety of songs and finally perform in a concert during the summer term.

Year 2

In year 2 children are introduced to simple music notation. They begin to notice the difference between pulse and rhythm and explore how to control pitch in their voice when singing. They are introduced to the recorder, learning 3 note tunes and they also explore different musical elements such as loud/quiet, fast/slow and apply them to a musical performance.

Year 3

In year 3 every child receives their own recorder and learns to both play and compose tunes. Children will perform 3-5 note tunes from memory and be able to play in time with a group. They will also be aware of rhythmic notation using crotchets and quavers. The children explore instruments from the orchestra and listen to a wide range of orchestral pieces.

Year 4

In year 4 children build confidence in themselves as music makers by singing and playing the ukulele and other classroom instruments. They build a repertoire of songs and rhythms to develop their musicality and performance skills in solo and ensemble contexts whilst exploring the history of popular music focusing on The Beatles.

Year 5

In year 5 children explore, refine and perform more complicated musical ideas. They develop ensemble skills by exploring a variety of musical styles such as Samba, African drumming and Ancient Greek music. They also explore alternative forms of notation such as graphic scores and work towards a full ensemble performance at the end of the year.

Year 6

In year 6 children explore how to make music using body percussion, beat boxing and a percussive style called Bamboo Tamboo from Trinidad and Tobago. Children also learn how to compose their own music using music technology software. Through cross-curricular topics, Year 6 compose musical ideas to reflect scenes from WWII and learn how to compose music for film. Children are encouraged to express and communicate their own ideas and feelings through music and lead groups in a performance of their own composition.

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We are a Gold Sing Up school and in 2017, Challenge Partners recognised our music department as an area of excellence. We have pupil success in achieving ABRSM grades in trumpet, piano, guitar, violin and flute and some of our students have been awarded the Brent London Scholarship for Music. Our school choir won the Brent Choir of the Year competition in June, 2019 and performed at the Wembley Winterfest Christmas light switch on in 2021.

Through high expectations and performance opportunities, pupils excel in music and achieve finery, validated by our awards. We strongly believe that understanding and communication through music provides pupils with a rich foundation that will give them access to unlimited opportunities through life.