Music Statement of Intent

 

Music plays a crucial role at St Simon’s and is deeply embedded within the heart of the school community.  Every child is encouraged to fulfil their potential in the subject with the option to take individual instrumental tuition and join extra-curricular groups. We aim to provide high quality musical opportunities for all children to experience music, in a wide variety of styles through performing, composing and listening, and to enable each child to experience a sense of achievement and enjoyment through music. Music is an inclusive, levelling subject which all children can participate in, regardless of ability.   

 

Implementation

 

1) Provide opportunities for the children to rehearse and perform in a wide range of settings, as part of a group or by themselves, developing their self-confidence.

 

2) Develop their creativity and increase their understanding of music through carefully structured composing activities.

 

3)  Encourage children to listen perceptively and sensitively to music, identifying features related to mood or particular elements of music.

 

4)  Equip children with the necessary skills and knowledge to further their achievement in and enjoyment of music.

 

5) Identify particular musical strengths of individual children and encourage them to participate in relevant extra-curricular activities and if possible, take instrumental music tuition to develop their musical experience, skills, self-confidence and enjoyment of the subject. Musically talented Pupil Premium students may be eligible to have instrumental lessons funded by St Simon’s.

 

6)  Develop skills which are also relevant to other areas of learning, such as teamwork and listening skills.

 

7)  Establish from Reception through to year 6 a code of conduct related to rehearsing, performing, composing and listening activities.

 

8) Provide a broad and balanced curriculum with continuity and progression throughout the school, focussing on the three key areas of performing, listening and composing with singing at its core.

 

Impact

 

Music is in itself an intrinsically valuable and worthwhile subject which benefits children’s learning across the curriculum. Regular engagement in musical activities makes children more sensitive to sound, improves their fine muscle control and improves the communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. Music lessons can improve reading fluency and language development as well as spatial and geometric sense. Performing with their peers develops self-esteem, confidence, friendship and teamwork.

Music is a loyal, lifelong companion giving context to an individual’s life acting as a wordless, emotionally expressive universal language, defining cultures and historical events and essential for mental wellbeing. At Simon’s our aim is to engender in the children a lasting interest and enjoyment of music.

St Simon’s Music Information for Key Stage 2                                                  October 2022

 

 

Dear Parents/Carers,

I would like to inform you of some new exciting musical opportunities at St Simon’s and in the Ashford area. These are in addition to the current musical opportunities we already offer which include: choir (Years 3-6), whole class recorder lessons (Year 4), whole class ukulele (Year 5), and violin lessons (provided by Make Time For Music).

Recorder Club

I am planning on re-starting a free weekly lunchtime recorder club for Years 5 and 6 on Thursdays or Fridays. To take part, children must have their own named recorder and will need to practise at home. Numbers may need to be limited depending on interest.

Instrumental Lessons at St Simon’s

Next week, a ukulele teacher from Kent Music School will begin teaching free ukulele lessons to Year 4 as part of their music curriculum. Additionally, he will be offering individual and small group lessons on the saxophone, clarinet, flute, recorder, guitar, and piano through Kent Music School. Further information will follow although full information about Kent Music School lessons and lesson prices can be found here:

www.kent-music.com/music-lessons/

Ashford Beginner Brass, Percussion and Woodwind Ensemble at Ashford Music Centre

Kent Music School are launching a brand-new course open to complete beginners aged 8-11 wishing to build their musical skills and try out brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments for the very first time! The course will run from 2^nd November 2022 from 4-5pm at the Ashford Music Centre until the end of the summer term in 2023.  Instruments for the course will be provided free of charge for the duration for members! Members will be welcome to take instruments home to practice. New members can sign up online here:

Ashford Beginner Brass, Percussion and Woodwind | Kent Music (kent-music.com)

Kidenza

Next week, I am looking forward to taking Year 4 to Benenden school to watch the Kidenza orchestra. Last year the class made a cardboard orchestra and performed in Ashford. Therefore, it will be a great opportunity for Year 4 to see professional musicians playing real orchestral instruments in a child-friendly environment.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions on any musical matters at St Simon’s.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mrs Withey-Harrison

(St Simon’s Music Teacher)