General Music Classes
These are designed to involve all children, wherever they fit into the Commitment and Skills Continuum, in enjoyable and stimulating, musical activities – Listening and Responding, Performing, Composing.
Given that, as they move upwards from year 1 to 8, classes will vary unpredictably in commitment and skills, it is considered better not to attempt to work to a planned, progressive curriculum.
The broad content of each course is largely determined in the Medium Term Plan for the term but is intended to be very adaptable to the often unpredictable enthusiasm and motivation of the children in different groups.
The Medium Term Plans are all constructed round the same, basic model, which divides activities into each of the four main groups (Listening, Responding, Composing, Performing) in an attempt to maintain a balanced curriculum.)
As a whole, the activities enable children to:
- Explore the power and range of music of all types, and to discover something of its potential part in their own lives.
- Approach music of different times and cultures with an open mind.
Gain self-confidence, self-esteem, self-motivation, and personal satisfaction whilst participating in musical activities.
- Develop social skills through musical activities, e.g. co-operation, respect for others and their ideas, taking risks.
- Gain specific musical skills including aural discrimination, vocal and instrumental control, listening skills.
- Acquire a general knowledge of the workings, sounds, and names of musical instruments.
- Acquire vocabulary relating to basic forms and styles of music.
- Perform in public.
- Acquire the confidence to commit to improving their own skills in singing or instrumental music.
- Acquire the confidence to commit to extra-curricular activities in music.
Most lessons involve more than one type of activity, again allowing for adaptability.
