Music at Chapelford: Fostering Creativity, Confidence, and Musical Growth

At Chapelford, we believe that music plays a vital role in a child's development. It fosters creativity, builds confidence, and enhances emotional and cognitive skills. Through music, children not only learn to appreciate different cultures and histories but also gain valuable life skills such as collaboration, discipline, and perseverance.

Engaging with music helps children improve their listening abilities, enhances memory, and sharpens concentration. Participating in musical activities - whether it’s singing, playing instruments, or exploring different musical genres - boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment as children see their progress.

A High-Quality Music Curriculum 

Our music curriculum at Chapelford is designed to encourage children to think creatively, express themselves, and develop a lifelong love and appreciation for the arts. We are committed to providing all students with high-quality music education, ensuring that each child has access to a range of musical experiences across all year groups.

In addition to classroom teaching, all children at Chapelford take part in weekly singing assemblies, where they explore focus songs linked to our school values. These assemblies foster a sense of community and belonging while promoting the joy of singing.

We also have exciting plans for instrumental learning, providing opportunities for students to explore and develop their musical skills in a hands-on way.

Our Music Curriculum – Year Group Breakdown

EYFS:
In the Early Years, children start their musical journey with untuned percussion instruments. They explore rhythm and sound, learning how to make music using a variety of instruments. This hands-on approach helps children develop a basic understanding of musical concepts in a fun, exploratory way.

Year 1:
Year 1 pupils begin working with glockenspiels, focusing on developing their sense of rhythm and pitch. The glockenspiel is an ideal instrument for children at this stage, helping them explore both melody and rhythm in a fun and engaging way.

Year 2:
In Year 2, children begin learning the recorder, which helps develop their breath control and note reading. This transition from untuned percussion to a melodic instrument mark an important milestone in their musical development and paves the way for future learning.

Year 3:
This year, Year 3 children are excited to begin learning the clarinet, a fantastic new addition to our music curriculum. Supported by external providers, children will explore this woodwind instrument, learning how to hold it correctly and produce sound. They’ll also participate in games and activities that focus on the interrelated dimensions of music, such as pulse and rhythm.

The clarinet builds on the foundation students gained from learning the recorder in Year 2, and we’re thrilled to be working with expert providers to ensure high-quality tuition. The Year 3 pupils have been enthusiastic about starting this new musical journey and are eager to develop their skills throughout the year.

Year 4:
Year 4 pupils will revisit the glockenspiel and build on their previous experiences. After that, they will progress to keyboards, where they will learn the basics of playing and reading music in a new context. This allows them to expand their musical understanding and engage with a wider range of instruments.

Year 5:
Year 5 children will have the exciting opportunity to explore brass instruments. They will learn about the different types of brass instruments, how they produce sound, and how to play them. This will open up new musical horizons, as students develop their skills with these powerful instruments.

Year 6:
In Year 6, pupils will further expand their musical repertoire, building on the knowledge they’ve gained throughout the years. They will have the opportunity to consolidate their skills with instruments they have already learned and explore more complex musical concepts.

Our newest addition to our music offer is the Clarinet in Year 3. This week Year 3 had their first session where the children were introduced to the instrument, how to hold it correctly and they played games that focussed on the interrelated dimensions of music such as pulse and rhythm. The Year 3 children are so excited to continue with this provision and build on their previous knowledge from the recorder in Year 2. We are thrilled to be working with external providers for Clarinet and Brass to ensure that our students receive expert tuition. We look forward to seeing how our Year 3 children progress with the clarinet throughout the yea

Through our carefully structured and exciting music curriculum, we strive to nurture a love for music in every child, helping them to develop their talents, express their creativity, and gain confidence in their abilities. Music at Chapelford is not just about learning to play instruments – it’s about fostering the skills, attitudes, and experiences that will benefit our children in every aspect of their lives.

Music