Music
Subject leader
Mrs Cooper is responsible for Music. This means ensuring there is an ambitious curriculum set, supporting teachers to implement it through high-quality lessons and checking that everything is helping children to know more, remember more and do more.
If you would like more information in addition to that published on this page, please email:
hcooper@oakfield.academy
Purpose of Study
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.
Aims
The National Curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
Oakfield's Approach
Inspirational People
At our school, we believe in using the power of inspiration to help shape the thinking and curriculum design of our students. That's why we have taken inspiration from successful and influential people who have made a significant impact in their respective fields. By studying their stories, we aim to inspire our pupils to aim high and achieve their own goals. We have carefully curated a list of inspirational figures, including scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and activists, to name a few. We have analysed what made them successful and incorporated their values, principles, and strategies into our curriculum design to provide our students with the tools they need to succeed. By doing so, we hope to empower our students to dream big and achieve greatness.
Intent
We are setting out to help our pupils be ...
Inquisitive - children ask questions about different genres of music and are curious about composers from different time periods.
Creative - children love to compose and enjoy compositions from others.
Resilient - writing compositions and learning notation can be frustrating, and takes time to master.
Practical - children use physical instruments and are given time to explore the different sounds these make.
Implementation
We will do this by ensuring ...
Children are encouraged to ask questions and listen to music from different eras.
Children have a broad and balanced curriculum and learn about the process of music and what other composers have gone through to be successful.
Children are given time to create, edit and reflect on their compositions.
A range of musical resources are used to help children develop their own musical compositions that they are proud of.
Impact
We will have made a difference when ...
Children are curious - they want to learn about a range of musicians from different cultures and eras.
Children are inventors - they enjoy the process and create meaningful compositions.
Children can create purposefully - they reflect and consciously evaluate what they do to improve and be their best musical selves.
Children can use the resources confidently and can explain why they have chosen certain instruments in their compositions, as well as why other composers have used certain instruments.
Threshold Concepts
These are our big takeaways called ‘threshold concepts’ - an overview of what we want pupils to know. They are the same for every year group and help us to ensure we build learning on the same ideas, that way we help children to be able to remember more meaningful connections rather than remembering isolated facts.
Singing - Singers perform music that can be sung alone or with others, often with musical instruments to accompany them.
Performance - Sharing your music with an audience is called performing, it comes with lots of practice.
Pulse & Rhythm - A pulse is steady beat. Rhythm is a pattern of sounds.
Composition - People who create music are called composers.
Notation - Composers write their music on a score using special symbols which tell musicians how and what to play.
Music Appreciation - When listening to music, musicians can pick out specific parts and explain why they might be there.
Listening - Listening to different types of music helps musicians to understand what they might or might not like.
Significant People - A composer is a person who writes a piece of music, their music is still famous today.
Progression on a Page ...
Here is an overview of what we expect children to be taught, know and do by the end of each year group.
Year R
Children will sing songs daily to develop their language and listening skills and to practise matching rhythm and pitch.
They will learn a new song every week which is linked to their learning.
Children will have continuous access to the' Music and Movement' trolley with a number of instruments and resources to explore and to create their own music. These instruments will be changed half termly with teachers demonstrating how to use the instruments over the half term, giving the children a strong foundation of knowledge of how to use different instruments.
They will listen to different music everyday when coming in from lunch and will have different music to help calm down after a busy time learning.
Year 1
Children will learn to sing traditional songs, nursery rhymes and chants clearly.
They will play and sing pieces of music, starting and finishing together.
As well as copying a simple rhythm by clapping or using percussion.
Finally they will be taught to listen to a piece of music, identifying basic features.
Year 2
Children will be taught to ...
Sing simple songs and chants with a sense of melody and shape.
Play tuned and untuned percussion instruments and use your voice with awareness of others.
Play a range of rhythms and pulses and identify the differences between them.
Create, select and combine layers of sound and vocalisations with awareness of the effect.
Recognise and respond to simple notation.
Listen and respond with movement, words and pictures to a range of high-quality live and recorded music that tell a story.
Describe how an instrument has been used to represent a sound, animal or object.
Describe the lives and music of composers studied.
Year 3
Children will be taught to ...
Use their voice in different ways, including using a loud or soft voice, and identify simple repeated patterns.
Play or sing a part with increased control, fluency, expression and accuracy on tuned and untuned instruments.
Identify a pulse in a piece of music, realising that two, three, four or more beats to the bar can be counted.
Improvise and compose sequences of sounds and vocals and record them using notes or pictures.
Recognise and respond to invented musical notation and symbols.
Listen and respond to pieces of music written around the same theme.
Recognise and describe sounds and changes in a piece of music using musical vocabulary.
Describe the lives and music of romantic composers.
Year 4
Children will be taught to ...
Sing songs accurately, both solo and as part of an ensemble.
Play or sing music from notation and memory, with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression.to protect themselves.
Play and create repeated rhythmic patterns.
Improvise and compose a sequence of sounds and vocals for different instruments and record them using standard or invented notation.
Play or sing simple melodies from standard and invented musical notation and symbols.
Compare and evaluate different genres of music using appropriate musical vocabulary.
Describe how different instruments are used throughout a piece of music to add interest and meaning.
Describe the lives and music of famous popular musicians from the late 20th century.
Year 5
Children will be taught to ...
Maintain a part within an ensemble when singing in a round or in harmony.
Maintain their part in a performance with confidence, accuracy, fluency, control and expression, and with an awareness of what others are playing or singing.
Compose and perform a short piece of music, using a range of musical techniques, including an ostinato.
Create a composition that combines layers of sound and vocalisations and shows an awareness of pitch, tempo, rhythm, melody and dynamics.
Use musical notation to perform and write music.
Use descriptive words and relevant musical vocabulary when talking about the elements of live or recorded music within a piece.
Explain how pitch, tempo, rhythm, melody, dynamics and major and minor tonality have been used to create particular feelings in the listener.
Describe the lives and music of famous Baroque composers.
Year 6
Children will be taught to ...
Use gesture and expression to create a finished, polished performance.
Take the lead in instrumental or singing performances and provide suggestions to others.
Play and create pieces of music with a clear understanding of pulse and rhythm.
Compose and perform a group score using a wide variety of timbres, textures, rhythms and motifs.
Use features of musical notation when composing.
Identify and explain patterns and motifs in live and recorded music that provoke feelings in the listener.
Listen to and comment on a wide range of genres and musical styles using a broad musical vocabulary.
Describe the lives and music of famous classical composers.
Units of Learning ...
Year 1 - Autumn
Singing Stars - Singing and Performance
In this unit children will learn to sing a range of new songs in time to the music. Throughout this unit, there will be an emphasis on developing the children’s confidence when performing. They will accompany their singing with actions and learn to start and finish together. Year 1 will perform a traditional nativity to the local community alongside Year R and Year 2.
Year 1 - Spring
Calling Crew - Call and Response
This unit focuses on helping children to refine their singing skills by learning how to sing response melodies in time and with awareness of pitch. Children will learn about call and response techniques in music and how to apply them to their singing. They will also develop their listening skills and learn to identify and match pitch accurately. Through this unit, children will improve their musical abilities and expression when singing. By the end of the unit, children will have a greater understanding of call and response techniques in music and how to use them effectively in their singing.
Year 1 - Summer
Picture Perfect Musicians - Graphic Scores
This unit focuses on helping children develop their understanding of music notation by learning that it can be represented by pictures and symbols. They will learn how to interpret and create graphic scores, which use non-traditional symbols and images to represent musical elements. Children will apply this knowledge by creating their own graphic scores based on the seasons, using their imagination and creativity to express the musical characteristics of each season. Through this unit, children will improve their critical thinking and creativity skills, as well as their ability to read and write music notation. By the end of the unit, children will have a deeper understanding of music notation and how to use it to express their musical ideas.
Year 1 - Summer
Animal Orchestra - Animals
This unit focuses on helping children develop their creativity and musical skills by experimenting with their voices and body percussion to compose a short piece of music that portrays an animal. Children will learn how to use musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and dynamics to create a soundscape that represents the chosen animal. They will then build on this by using a range of musical instruments to enhance their composition. Through this unit, children will improve their listening and teamwork skills, as well as their ability to express themselves through music. By the end of the unit, children will have created a unique piece of music that reflects their creativity and musical abilities.
Year 2 - Autumn
Accurate Analysts - Singing / Composing
This unit focuses on helping children develop their singing and composition skills by learning to sing songs using different pitch, volume, and tempo. They will also listen to different pieces of music to identify and analyze different features, such as dynamics, timbre, and structure. Through this unit, children will learn about musical elements and how to use them to create their own music. They will also develop their creativity, teamwork, and communication skills as they work together to compose music. By the end of the unit, children will have improved their singing and composition abilities and gained a deeper appreciation for music as an art form.
Year 2 - Spring
Pioneering Percussionists - Percussion / Composers
This unit links to the coastal learning and focuses on helping children develop their musical skills and creativity by exploring the use of percussion in music. Children will learn about key composers who use percussion in their compositions and how to create their own rhythms using beats and percussion instruments. Through this unit, children will improve their understanding of musical elements and their ability to use them creatively. They will also develop their teamwork and collaboration skills as they work together to create percussion compositions. By the end of the unit, children will have a greater appreciation for the role of percussion in music and will have improved their technical and creative abilities.
Year 2 - Summer
Purposeful Performers -Listening / Performing
This unit links to the animal study and focuses on helping children in the UK develop their appreciation for music and creativity by exploring the Carnival of the Animals composition. Children will listen to and analyze the dynamics and characteristics of the music, as well as the composer's choices. They will also use their knowledge of animals to create and perform their own music. Through this unit, children will learn about musical dynamics and how to use them to convey emotions and tell a story. They will also improve their creativity, teamwork, and performance skills. By the end of the unit, children will have developed a deeper appreciation for music and its connection to the natural world.
Year 3 - Autumn
Minimalist Maestros-Performing
This unit focuses on helping children develop their composition skills by creating minimalist songs inspired by the composer Steve Reich. Children will learn about the characteristics of minimalist music, such as repetition, phasing, and layering, and how to apply them to their own compositions. Through this unit, children will develop their rhythmic and melodic skills, as well as their ability to use technology and music software to create and manipulate sounds. By the end of the unit, children will have composed their own minimalist songs using rhythm and layers, demonstrating their creativity and technical abilities.
Year 3 - Autumn
Instrumental Explorers -Instruments
In this unit children will play a variety of tuned and untuned instruments such as the Glockenspiel, Triangle and Tambourine. They will follow rhythms with accuracy to accompany songs from around the world. Year 3 will explore dynamics, the role of the conductor and create musical scores.
Year 3 - Spring
Iron Man Soundscapers - Composing
This unit focuses on helping children develop improvisation and composition skills by creating a soundtrack for The Iron Man book study. They will identify the story's mood and use musical elements to create an appropriate soundscape. Children will learn about music elements and how to combine them for an effective composition. By the end, they will have improved their creativity, collaboration, and musical skills.
Year 3 - Spring
Symbolic Singers - Singing and Performing
In this unit Year 3 will use their voice in different ways, including using a loud or soft voice, and identify simple repeated patterns. They will use their voices to create notes of different pitches, durations and dynamics. This will be carried out by highlighting certain lyrics and creating different moods. Year 3 and 4 will perform together for an Easter production.
Year 3 - Summer
Pitch Perfectionists - Notation
In this unit children will explore how specific terms can be used to describe the sounds and changes in a piece of music, including pitch (high or low), timbre (sound quality), dynamics (loudness) and tempo (speed). They will recognise and respond to invented musical notation and symbols using instruments. Year 3 will deepen their understanding of crotchet rests, minim rests and semibreve rests and explore the importance of musical notation for musicians i.e when not to play or sing. In this unit children will be taught how pitch is represented.
Year 3 - Summer
Classical Composers - Composers
This unit helps children in Year 3 appreciate music from great composers and musicians. They will learn about the historical and cultural significance of the piece and develop their listening skills, identifying musical elements and structure. By the end of the unit, they will have a greater appreciation for classical music and composers such as Chopin, Liszt and Mendelssohn.
Year 4 - Autumn
Rhythm Revolutionaries - Pulse and Rhythm
This unit focuses on helping children develop their rhythm skills through listening, internalisation, and ensemble composition. Children will learn to identify and respond to the rhythm of a piece of music, internalising the pulse to improve their timing and coordination. They will also develop their ensemble skills by working collaboratively to compose rhythm for a piece of music. Through this unit, children will improve their ability to listen to and respond to different rhythms, as well as their teamwork and creativity skills. By the end of the unit, children will have a greater understanding and appreciation for the role of rhythm in music and will be able to create and perform rhythm compositions as a group.
Year 4 - Autumn
Vocal Virtuosos - Singing
This unit teaches children to sing and speak expressively and creatively by using their voices to sing songs, speak chants, and rhymes. They will learn the basics of singing and develop their language skills while gaining confidence in expressing themselves. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their vocal skills and communication abilities.
Year 4 - Spring
Music Genre Explorers / Symbolic Singers - Music Appreciation and Listening
This unit teaches children to explore different music genres and develop personal preferences. They will listen to high-quality live and recorded music, learning to identify and describe genre features and communicate their music preferences. By the end of the unit, they will have developed a greater appreciation for various genres and enhanced their critical listening skills. Year 3 and 4 will perform together for an Easter production.
Year 4 - Summer
Expressive Ensembles -Composition and Notation
This unit focuses on helping children develop their performance skills to perform with confidence, accuracy, fluency, control, and expression in front of an audience. Children will learn the basics of live performance, such as stage presence, breathing techniques, and vocal control, and how to apply these skills to different musical styles. Through this unit, children will improve their musical abilities and develop their confidence in performing in front of others. By the end of the unit, children will be able to perform with greater skill and expressiveness, communicating their music to an audience with confidence.
Year 4 - Summer
Stage Sensations - Performance
This unit focuses on helping children develop their performance skills to perform with confidence, accuracy, fluency, control, and expression in front of an audience. Children will learn the basics of live performance, such as stage presence, breathing techniques, and vocal control, and how to apply these skills to different musical styles. Through this unit, children will improve their musical abilities and develop their confidence in performing in front of others. By the end of the unit, children will be able to perform with greater skill and expressiveness, communicating their music to an audience with confidence.
Year 5 - Autumn
Creative Composers - Pulse and Rhythm
In this unit, children will learn about the pentatonic scale and how this was used during ancient civilisations to create music. The children will compose their own pieces, using the glockenspiel, considering rhythm.
Year 5 - Autumn
Notable Notations - Composition and Notation
Children will learn to compose and write notation for a soundtrack that could be played as part of the upcoming Hindu ‘Holi’ festival. Children will explore how different sounds can represent spring and record their notation using some musical notation symbols.
Year 5 - Spring
Comparative Composers -Significant People
During this term, the children will study significant composers from the Baroque period, such as Vivaldi. The children will apply their listening and appreciation skills to compare the composers, as well as explore why they were significant in the composition of music during this time period.
Year 5 - Spring
Heavenly Harmonisers - Music Appreciation and Listening
This unit teaches children to sing in rounds and harmonise together, forming their singing parts for the end-of-year production. They will improve their vocal skills and collaborate to create a successful performance. By the end of the unit, they will be able to perform in rounds and harmonise effectively as a group.
Year 5 - Summer
Blissful Blenders/Perfect Performers -Singing/Performance
This unit helps children improve their group singing performance for the end-of-year production. They will learn techniques to project their voices, adjust tone and volume, and collaborate on harmonising and blending. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their singing skills and confidence as a group.
Year 6 - Autumn
Composer Chronicles - Composition
This unit helps children improve their group singing performance techniques for the end-of-year production. They will learn to project their voices, adjust tone and volume, and work collaboratively on harmonising and blending. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their singing skills and gained confidence in their ability to perform as a group.
Year 6 - Autumn
Circulatory System Groovers - Rhythm and Pulse
This unit teaches children to connect science with music by exploring the rhythms and pulses of the circulatory system. They will listen to and perform these rhythms using percussion instruments and their bodies. By the end of the unit, they will have improved their coordination and sense of timing.
Year 6 - Spring
Titanic Troubadours - Singing and Performance
In this unit, children create and perform a musical composition with instruments and singing, inspired by the Titanic. They will learn composition basics, including melody, rhythm, harmony, and structure, and use instruments to accompany their singing. By the end of the unit, they will have composed and performed a complete piece of music.
Year 6 - Spring
Electronic Notation Ninjas - Notation
In this unit, children learn to write electronic and techno music using proper notation. They will explore rhythm, melody, and harmony and use software to create and record their music. By the end of the unit, they will be able to compose a complete piece in this genre.
Year 6 - Summer
Call and Response Conversationalists - Music Appreciation and Listening
In this unit, students learn to perform music using call and response to engage their audience. They will learn to initiate and respond to musical phrases, creating a dialogue between performer and listeners.
Year 6 - Summer
Musician Mavericks - Significant People
This unit aims to teach children to appreciate musicians who have had a significant impact on society through their music. Children will learn to analyse lyrics, themes, and styles, and connect music to social movements, gaining a deeper understanding of the power of music to promote change.
Detailed Progression in Music
1e - Threshold Concepts - Music.pdfMrs Angel's Music
Mrs Angel provides music lessons to Oakfield pupils. Please contact her for more info - hayleyangel0@hotmail.co.uk.