Music at Longstone
Here at Longstone music is really important to us. Key stage 2 (years 3-6) are taught by our specialist music teacher, Mrs Hartley. Key stage 1 and EYFS have music sessions with our teacher and musician, Mrs Mizon. There are many events that present opportunities for our children to develop their musical experience and knowledge. We have many pupils who participate in instrumental lessons with our daily visiting peripatetic teachers, and all key stage 2 pupils participate in our performances and concerts. Different individuals are also encouraged to perform each week in our celebration assembly.
We cover a different unit of work each half term - so six units throughout the year. Each unit incorporates the skills of performing, composing, musicianship (including music theory), and listening and appraising. Because each unit is linked to the whole school topic, we are able to give a broad musical experience, ensuring the children are developing an appreciation for music from different genres and cultures.
Through both curricular and extra curricular music we aim to:
We cover a different unit of work each half term - so six units throughout the year. Each unit incorporates the skills of performing, composing, musicianship (including music theory), and listening and appraising. Because each unit is linked to the whole school topic, we are able to give a broad musical experience, ensuring the children are developing an appreciation for music from different genres and cultures.
Through both curricular and extra curricular music we aim to:
- Foster a life-long love of music and musical expression.
- Equip our children with skills that develop their confidence and self-expression.
- Develop the children's understanding and tolerance of others through a wide range of music experience.
- Equip the children with enough music theory in order to facilitate their practical application.
- Develop the children's skills of performing, composing and appreciating music.
Curricular Music
The following link goes some way to explain how music may benefit your child:
http://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng
In our classwork, the children gain experience of music through: performing, composing, transcribing, and listening and appraising. They also hear and use musical vocabulary every week – so it soon becomes part of their everyday language. This academic year our music projects are linked to our whole school topic work. We have been/will be studying:
Unit 1: Linked to the topic on famous artists, the children composed a piece of music and transcribed it using their own graphic score. The children performed their pieces and decided what was good and how each piece/performance could be improved.
Unit 2: Linked to our WW2 topic and junior musical, the children were focused on performance. The children learned how to follow a musical score and what makes a good performance. The children explored how the social context and technological developments during WW2 impacted the music of that time.
Unit 3: Linked to the topic of India, the children explored the characteristics of Indian music. In small groups, the children composed a piece of music including some of those characteristics: an ostinato rhythm, a drone as accompaniment and a raga/melody. The children performed and evaluated their music.
Unit 4: This term we are digging deeper into orchestral instruments. We are exploring why instruments belong to specific families and how instruments’ size and material contributes to its sound (timbre).
Unit 5: The children will explore the various elements of rap music – some of them may already be practising their beat boxing… boots and cats and…! (sorry!) Having learned facts about the Stone Age in their topic work, as part of an ensemble, the children will then write and perform a rap.
Unit 6: Linked to the topic of Africa, the children will learn to perform African music. They will learn about texture in music (described as thick or thin) and perform polyrhythmic pieces. They will learn vocal pieces, singing in unison and parts. We hope to perform an African piece (or two) at our summer gala concert!
http://youtu.be/R0JKCYZ8hng
In our classwork, the children gain experience of music through: performing, composing, transcribing, and listening and appraising. They also hear and use musical vocabulary every week – so it soon becomes part of their everyday language. This academic year our music projects are linked to our whole school topic work. We have been/will be studying:
Unit 1: Linked to the topic on famous artists, the children composed a piece of music and transcribed it using their own graphic score. The children performed their pieces and decided what was good and how each piece/performance could be improved.
Unit 2: Linked to our WW2 topic and junior musical, the children were focused on performance. The children learned how to follow a musical score and what makes a good performance. The children explored how the social context and technological developments during WW2 impacted the music of that time.
Unit 3: Linked to the topic of India, the children explored the characteristics of Indian music. In small groups, the children composed a piece of music including some of those characteristics: an ostinato rhythm, a drone as accompaniment and a raga/melody. The children performed and evaluated their music.
Unit 4: This term we are digging deeper into orchestral instruments. We are exploring why instruments belong to specific families and how instruments’ size and material contributes to its sound (timbre).
Unit 5: The children will explore the various elements of rap music – some of them may already be practising their beat boxing… boots and cats and…! (sorry!) Having learned facts about the Stone Age in their topic work, as part of an ensemble, the children will then write and perform a rap.
Unit 6: Linked to the topic of Africa, the children will learn to perform African music. They will learn about texture in music (described as thick or thin) and perform polyrhythmic pieces. They will learn vocal pieces, singing in unison and parts. We hope to perform an African piece (or two) at our summer gala concert!
Extra Curricular Music
No clubs the first week after Easter break. Music clubs resume week beginning 16th April 2018.
There are a variety of music groups each week. We aim to run specialist groups that instrumentalists can join and develop their ensemble skills and groups which allow beginners, or those who just want to have a go, to sign up and get involved.
Our current groups and when they take place:
Monday lunchtime: Beginner Recorders 1
Intermediate Recorders
Tuesday lunchtime: String Section
Woodwind Section
Tuesday after school: Junior Choir (infants by arrangement)
Wednesday lunchtime: Infant Choir
Wednesday after school: Musical Theatre
Thursday lunchtime: Brass Band
Friday lunchtime: Beginner Recorders 2
Recorder Ensemble
Friday pm playtime: Brass Section
Our current groups and when they take place:
Monday lunchtime: Beginner Recorders 1
Intermediate Recorders
Tuesday lunchtime: String Section
Woodwind Section
Tuesday after school: Junior Choir (infants by arrangement)
Wednesday lunchtime: Infant Choir
Wednesday after school: Musical Theatre
Thursday lunchtime: Brass Band
Friday lunchtime: Beginner Recorders 2
Recorder Ensemble
Friday pm playtime: Brass Section
Events and Opportunities - 2017-2018
AUTUMN TERM
Harvest Service - 6th October, 2.45pm (church)
Autumn Concert - 14th November, 6pm (hall)
KS2 Musical - Cinderella and Rockerfella - 5th December 6pm & 6th December 2pm & 6pm
KS1 Nativity - Lights, Camel, Action! - 13th December 2pm & 6pm (church)
Visit to residential home - Thornhill House - 15th December, 1-3pm
Carol Service - 19th December, 2pm (church)
SPRING TERM
Spring Concert - 8 March, 6pm (hall)
Easter Service - 23 March, 2pm (church)
SUMMER TERM
Gala Concert - 3 July, 6pm (hall)
Year 6 Drama performance - 12 July, 6pm (open air)
Leavers' Service - 20 July, 10am (church)
Harvest Service - 6th October, 2.45pm (church)
Autumn Concert - 14th November, 6pm (hall)
KS2 Musical - Cinderella and Rockerfella - 5th December 6pm & 6th December 2pm & 6pm
KS1 Nativity - Lights, Camel, Action! - 13th December 2pm & 6pm (church)
Visit to residential home - Thornhill House - 15th December, 1-3pm
Carol Service - 19th December, 2pm (church)
SPRING TERM
Spring Concert - 8 March, 6pm (hall)
Easter Service - 23 March, 2pm (church)
SUMMER TERM
Gala Concert - 3 July, 6pm (hall)
Year 6 Drama performance - 12 July, 6pm (open air)
Leavers' Service - 20 July, 10am (church)
Instrumental lessons
We have a designated practice room that our peripatetic teachers use for lessons on a daily basis. Instrumental lessons currently taught to our children are:
If your child is interested in having instrumental lessons with one of our teachers, please contact the school office.
- Piano
- Voice
- Drums
- Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Violin
- Cello
- Woodwind - flute and clarinet
- Brass - trumpet, cornet and trombone
If your child is interested in having instrumental lessons with one of our teachers, please contact the school office.
