Music
Music is an art that can be demonstrated in many different forms. No matter the age or ability of the child, music can inspire children and allow them to express creativity. Music at Ravensworth Terrace is a vital part of our school community.
Intent:
Through our music scheme, children will learn and become confident with the interrelated dimensions of music: pulse, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, structure, texture and notation. We aim to regularly expose pupils to musical vocabulary, a variety of musical genres as well as access instruments so that children have a thorough knowledge of all elements of music. Learning about the history of music and being able to identify musical eras through listening is a key area of the curriculum. The theory of music, including notation and time signatures, is also an important element of their learning. Children are able to use their knowledge to read music, play and perform as well as compose their own pieces. Our music curriculum at Ravensworth inspires, engages and develops a love of music.
Implementation:
Using ‘Charanga’ as a guide for our scheme across Years 1 and 2 ensures the children’s musical skills progress during Key Stage 1. It allows them to learn a variety of genres of music including hip hop, jazz and reggae. During each lesson, the interrelated dimensions of music are constantly revisited and consolidated to allow children to become confident with all musical vocabulary. They also have access to a variety of tuned and percussion instruments which are explored and played as a class ensemble.
Throughout Key Stage Two, Side by Side Arts provide a curriculum which is planned and delivered by a music specialist. Lessons are carried out on a fortnightly basis and delivered by one member of staff across the key stage to ensure continuity and progression of skills. A specialist brings expertise, enthusiasm and a love of music to the children KS2. Our curriculum delivered by Side by Side Arts is a new addition to our school syllabus. Children will start by using glockenspiels and boomwhackers as instruments. As they progress, we hope to add more instruments to our repertoire.
Learning a musical instrument is a skill we encourage at Ravensworth. Gateshead Music Service and Side by Side Arts provide small groups of children with the opportunity to learn a variety of instruments: piano, guitar, flute and clarinet. The amount of children taking part in peripatetic lessons is increasing every year as more opportunities arise and the number who are interested grows due to seeing their peers participating.
The children thoroughly enjoy singing as a school on a regular basis where we practise songs which demonstrate our values and our close relationship as a school team. A smaller number of pupils with a particular love for singing and performing have the opportunity to join the choir (Singing Club). The school choir are an enthusiastic, passionate group of Key Stage 2 pupils who practise weekly and perform regularly, representing our school at every opportunity.
We seek to provide opportunities for the children to share their skills with family members, governors, elderly friends of the school and the wider community. With an annual talent show and regular instrument, singing and dance performances, and many traditional celebrations throughout the year, Music is an important aspect of the Ravensworth Terrace school life.
Impact:
Children at Ravensworth express a love of music. They are confident with the interrelated dimensions of music and the corresponding vocabulary and can identify different musical styles and eras due to their style indicators. Children sing a variety of songs with expression and accurate pitch and timing. From a young age, they can identify and describe the sounds different instruments can make using musical language and are able to play some instruments with confidence after studying them in depth. Children are able to improvise and compose their own pieces and use various forms of notation to both read and record music.