Music
“Research shows that at-least some musical education has a positive impact on social and cognitive development of children. And these effects are long lasting – better hearing, better motor skills, improved memory, better verbal and literacy skills.”
Alan Harvey, Musician and Neuroscientist.
Music at Holmesdale
At Holmesdale, it is our intent for all children to develop a love for Music, whether it be listening to it, performing it or composing. We believe every child should see themselves as a musician. Our goal is that when they leave Holmesdale they look back at their musical journey with fond memories.
As a school we enhance music through:
- Weekly music lessons using a scheme called Charanga.
- Using Sparkyard to enhance the curriculum- finding and learning songs that link to our learning.
- Using music to enhance dance and gymnastics lessons.
- Singing assemblies, where children come together in song.
- Themed assemblies linked to song such as, Harvest, Christmas and Leavers assembly.
- Listening to a song of the week, discussing as a class how we feel about it and showing an appreciation to music..
- Music themed workshops such as the African drumming and junk orchestra workshop.
- Songs are implemented as part of the daily routine- days of the week, tidy up song, mindfulness.
- Children are invited to share their favourite songs for the class to sing.
Music in EYFS should happen every day in informal, child-initiated as well as teacher-led approaches. These include:
- Listening stations in each classroom with different CDs of varying genres for children to listen to.
- Free choice of different instruments to access throughout the day as well as a stage for impromptu performances.
In KS1:
- Children are given the opportunity to join extracurricular clubs such as irock, choir and piano lessons.
- Children learn to play the glockenspiel during Charanga lessons.
- Free choice of different instruments during some music lessons.
- We aim to be able to provide recording devices to allow children to record their own and other children’s songs and listen back and offer advice on how to make it better and what went well.
What the children have said about music....
“There is a number of reasons I like music, it makes you a bit happier, it helps you calm down and it can help you fall asleep. Lastly you can sing and dance and play your instruments” Year 2
“Music is beautiful. I like singing.” Reception
“I like listening to the tune of songs” Year 2
“I like the choruses, I like learning about how they make music, I like the soft music, I like the beat” Year 1
“I like all of them (Music lessons) because there so good- I like dancing, singing and dancing to the actions.” Reception
“I like that you get to dance a lot. Listening to the sounds. Listening and hearing the beat of the music. I like singing along to the music.” Year 1
