Music

Summary of Curriculum Intent

'I love learning music - it makes me feel happy and excited'

'Performing in front of other people was a bit scary but I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next concert!'

At Queensmead Primary Academy the music curriculum engages, inspires and motivates our children, playing an important part in their personal development and reflecting the culture and society they live in. Music has the power to foster connections with the brain, which will improve memory and coordination. The skills involved in listening to and playing music also help our pupils develop self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, creativity and self-motivation.

At Queensmead we aim to instill in our children a life-long love of music and to promote and support curriculum music for all children as an entitlement through their classroom experiences. We follow the National Curriculum, providing teaching and resources which promote knowledge, skills and understanding in music, in relation to both our pupils’ own and others’ musical traditions.

Music Opportunities

We are very proud to offer a variety of choral and practical music opportunities. Our choir comprises pupils from Year 4, 5 and 6 and meets once a week to sing a range of popular and traditional songs from many cultures and languages.

Pupils are encouraged to access peripatetic instrument lessons provided by Rocksteady Music - if you are interested in your child taking part then please follow the link here to find out more : https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/

We have close links with the Leicestershire Schools Music Service and frequently take part in the many opportunities they offer using specialist, professional musicians: whole school singing, WCIT and Beatboxing to name but a few!

Performance

A key aspect of curriculum and co-curricular music is performing as an individual, a small or larger group to a wide range of audiences. Pupils have numerous opportunities to perform to their peers, the school, parents, the Trust and the wider community. Pupils have performed at local residential homes, Braunstone Leisure Centre, the De Montfort Hall and the NEC.

Queensmead goes beat-box crazy!

Pupils (and staff!) thoroughly enjoyed learning how to beat-box with an internationally acclaimed beat-box artist! Working with Leicestershire Schools Music Service, pupils in Year 5 and 6 explored all aspects of this musical genre. We also feature in this promotional video - have a watch and see if you are inspired to learn!

Leicestershire Music - Beatbox Unit Scheme of Work Promo (youtube.com)

WCIT Brass - fantastic!

WCIT (Whole Class Instrumental Tuition) is firmly embedded as part of our music curriculum provision. Our Y5 pupils are in their 3rd term of learning to play a brass instrument, working in partnership withthe LSMS. At the end of the Autumn term, Year 4 pupils will begin their tuition with Y5 pupils encouraged to continue with individual or small group sessions.

Whilst the children are learning specifically about brass instruments, the lessons offer a solid foundation of knowledge which could be adapted to any instrument the child takes up in the future. During the sessions, the children are actively encouraged to read music. Children who have difficulties reading English are thriving at learning to read music in these sessions, and benefitting from partaking in a level playing field, where all pupils are learning at the same pace.

Any preconceived ideas of ability are left behind at the door and every child makes good musical progress in the lessons. Particularly SEND children are able to progress because the tasks are broken down and instruction is clear. There is a real sense of achievement for all pupils and a fantastic sound that we all appreciate every Tuesday morning!

Sing what you mean , mean what you play

We have recently been working with Buzzing Roots, a local charity, to deliver a comprehensive, pupil-led music group. A number of pupils from Y4 and 5 worked with musicians and educational musical therapists to plan, create, practise and perform several pieces of music. As part of the programme, pupils were able to choose a brand new instrument that they could take home and keep!

This was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to grow and develop their musical abilities as well as learn about teamwork, expressing themselves and their emotions and feelings.