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Music

We work with the Tri-borough Music Hub to deliver quality music every week.

Nursery Overview

Support and nurture children’s musical development by offering broad musical experiences.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Good balance and use of both sides of the body
  • Awareness, familiarity and sensation of each part of the body
  • Whole body movement as freedom of expression, building confidence
  • Exploring and imitating animal movements
  • Develop spatial awareness, sequencing and memory skills
  • Develop and explore the singing voice through various vocal exercises, being aware of the breath and articulators (jaw, lips, tongue and teeth).

Reception Overview

Providing musical activities that are imaginative, inspiring and fun, and that use singing and instrumental playing while corresponding to six areas of learning: Personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; Mathematical development; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development; Creative development. 

Key Skills Learned:

  • Develop and understanding of the beat and tempo
  • Identify and perform high and low, as well as loud and quiet sounds
  • Develop awareness of structure, texture and timbre

Year 1 Overview

Developing abilities to feel and follow a musical pulse, as well as performing various rhythmic patterns in a range of structured activities that enable engagement at various levels. Experiencing ensemble singing and playing in a fun and engaging musical learning environment.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Move and play to a musical pulse
  • Develop co-ordination skills, singing and playing technique using wooden spoons
  • Read from a basic graphic score
  • Identify and perform various single and multiple beats in a bar
  • Play a two-bar pattern with accuracy
  • Develop ensemble skills with improved performance focus for singing and playing
  • Develop an awareness of musical structure

Year 2 Overview

Developing music skills in a variety of musical styles with lyrics to support musical learning and understanding, as well as instrumental technique, building up a class ensemble that incorporates singing, playing, improvisation and performance.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Sing varied melodic parts in unison and 2 parts
  • Understand the initial playing technique requirements for the ukulele and hand-held percussion
  • Give music responses linking sound and symbol
  • Perform as part of a whole class ensemble
  • Develop abilities to work effectively as part of a team
  • Build increased confidence and self-esteem through engagement in varied activities and performance
  • Have experience of how to attain high standards of performance, and an understanding of the process and work that is necessary in order to achieve this 

Year 3 Overview

Learning how to read rhythms and pitched notation and develop instrumental skills and co-ordination using singing, hand-held percussion instruments, and recorders.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Learn to play 6 notes on the recorder, with correct technique, using listen and copy and in class improvisation
  • Grow awareness of sound and dynamics when playing
  • Develop note reading ability in treble clef with music in crotchet and quaver rhythms
  • Perform pieces from a range of genres as part of a whole class ensemble
  • Have experience of how to attain high standards of performance, and an understanding of the process and work that is necessary to achieve this.
Year 3 – Recorders and Shakers

Year 4 Overview

Building up a class ensemble and incorporating learning to read musical notation, singing and the opportunity to play percussion instruments, recorder, guitar, violin and keyboard.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Read and understand the principles of basic music notation
  • Play simple parts on recorder, guitar, violin, percussion and keyboard
  • Perform as part of a whole class ensemble, with opportunities for pupils with existing instrumental experience to play on their own instruments
  • Develop the ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Build confidence and self-esteem through engagement and varied activities and performance

Year 5 Overview

Building on previous skills learnt in Fifths, building on notation skills, learning how to read from a score, improvisation, ensemble skills, and performance skills using a variety of instruments available in school and at home including drumsticks, triangles, recorders, guitars etc. Learning about the history of various classical and modern musical genres.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Develop and improve skills developed in year 4
  • Play and sing parts on recorder, guitar, percussion, and other instruments brought from home or available at school.
  • Develop ensemble skills, listening, knowing when to play, non-verbal communication.
  • Develop knowledge of history of jazz music, and waltz music.
  • Grow improvisation skills using swing, syncopation, and the pentatonic scale.

Year 6 Overview

Exploring Rhythm and Pulse using Body Percussion. Exploring Samba and West African drumming.

Key Skills Learned:

  • Develop an understanding of rhythm notation symbols 
  • Perform different rhythmic patterns using body percussion and drums
  • Develop an understanding of Samba and African music and cultures
  • Learn specific Samba and African playing techniques and rhythms
  • Develop skills such as: listening, sight-reading, improvisation, composition and leadership
  • Develop the ability to work effectively as part of a team and perform as part of a class ensemble
  • Build confidence and self-esteem through engagement in varied activities and performance

Hampden Gurney’s Choir performed for HRM Queen Elizabeth II, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson during the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Line, 17th May 2022