Music

‘Where words fail, music speaks.’ – Hans Christian Anderson

Intent

Music is taught as stand-alone sessions and as part of our cross curricular learning where appropriate. Children listen to a variety of music genres in assembly which accompanying information to help to enhance their musical, historical and geographical knowledge. Children perform, appreciate and evaluate a range of music and make links to time periods and events in history. Children sing and use their voices in solo and ensemble pieces. Children understand how music is produced and the role of musicians and the music industry in narrating societal issues and voicing opinions.

Why is Music important?

At WJS we are all musicians! By studying music at Westbury Juniors, pupils will have the opportunity to sing and play a range of instruments, as well as learn how to create ensembles that are performed to others. They will develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and listen with discrimination to a range of musical genres and artists.

Implementation – How is our Music curriculum enriched at Westbury Junior School?

We will go and sing for anyone and everyone! Choir perform at various events throughout the year and in the local community for senior citizens. Children have the opportunity to learn songs in French during MFL sessions. KS2 children learn and perform songs and carols for Christmas performances to parents, Young Voices and at our local Lions concert. Children can volunteer to perform in music assemblies, providing a great opportunity to gain confidence in performing with a very appreciative audience. Children can learn to play the guitar, keyboard and drums during music provision by peripatetic teachers who come into school.

Impact – Ultimately our Music Curriculum is designed to:

– Raise aspiration through children having no limits to what their ambitions and passions are and grow up wanting to be music producers, songwriters, composers or rock stars!

– Celebrate diversity through studying music of different genres, periods and composers and exposure to music from different cultures.

– Music unites us as a school and celebrates our uniqueness. Improve our vocabulary through giving us another way to express ourselves.

– Promote our health and well-being through triggering the release of feelgood chemicals into our bodies and it helps with concentration as it can induce different states of alertness and bring us happiness.

– Music empowers our children to have self-belief, become independent and resilient, all of which are at the heart of our WJS Values.