Music
Music at Northmead
Miss Ramsay is the subject leader for Music
Music is delivered in class using the Charanga scheme of work, which provides contemporary digital resources and covers a wide range of musical genres and skills. We have many exciting opportunities for children at Northmead from participating in the largest school choir in the world to learning the recorder or drums from one of our many peripatetic teachers.
Year 3
Autumn 1: Let Your Spirit Fly
This unit covers a range of genres, including: R&B; Musicals; Motown; Soul, and looks at the historical context of musical styles
Autumn 2: Winter Production Songs and Christmas Carols
Each year group has a song to learn for performance in the winter production as well as the finale song.
Spring 1: Three Little Birds
This unit of work is based on songs from the Reggae genre. Children focus on instrument identification, composition and innovation. The material presents an integrated approach to music where games, the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.
Spring 2: Dragon Song
This unit helps children develop their understanding of music from around the world and singing in two parts.
During Spring Term - Recorders
Each class will learn the basics of how to play the recorder including reading basic notation, dynamics and gain an understanding of pitch. If your child would like to purchase a recorder to use, they would be very welcome however we do have several in school for them to borrow.
Summer 1: Bringing us together
A study of disco music with a heavy focus on performing and doing so with confidence.
Summer 2: Reflect, Rewind and Replay
To finish the year, children will listen to and appraise Western Classical music as well as looking back at their favourite music from the year.
Year 4
Autumn 1: Mamma Mia
All the learning for this unit is focused around one song: Mamma Mia. Through this the children look at the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.
Autumn 2: Winter Production Songs and Christmas Carols
Each year group has a song to learn for performance in the winter production as well as the finale song. This year we put on Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies.
Spring 1: Roman Songs
This unit of work is focused around the History topic of the Romans. Each class will enjoy learning a range of Roman inspired songs comparing to modern music.
Spring 2: Glockenspiel Course
Each year group will be learning to play an instrument in class during the course of the year. Year 4 will work on instrumental skills through learning the glockenspiel.
Summer 1: Blackbird
This unit covers a range of styles and genres as well as drawing together musical skills of listening and appraising, composing, improvising and performing.
Summer 2: Reflect, Rewind and Replay
To finish the year, children will listen to and appraise Western Classical music as well as looking back at their favourite music from the year.
Year 5
Each year group will be learning to play an instrument in class during the course of the year. Year 5 have the fantastic opportunity of learning to play the clarinet. For their 10 week block, delivered by a teacher from Surrey Arts, the children are loaned a clarinet to use in school and to practise at home.
For the rest of the year the children in year 5 will cover four of the units listed below.
Autumn 1: Don't Stop Believin'
This unit covers a range of styles and genres as well as drawing together musical skills of listening and appraising, composing, improvising and performing.
Autumn 2: Winter Production Songs and Christmas Carols
Each year group has a song to learn for performance in the winter production as well as the finale song. This year we put on Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies.
Spring 1 or 2: Dancing in the Street!
All the learning for this unit is focused around one song: Dancing in the Street! -. Through this the children look at the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.
Spring 1 or 2: Stop!
All the learning for this unit is focused around one song: Stop! -. Through this the children look at the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.
Summer 1: Lean On Me
This unit covers a range of styles and genres as well as drawing together musical skills of listening and appraising, composing, improvising and performing.
Summer 2: Reflect, Rewind and Replay
To finish the year, children will listen to and appraise Western Classical music as well as looking back at their favourite music from the year.
Year 6
Autumn 1: Livin' on a Prayer
All the learning for this unit is focused around one song: Livin' on a Prayer. Through this the children look at the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked.
Autumn 2: Winter Production Songs and Christmas Carols
Each year group has a song to learn for performance in the winter production as well as the finale song. This year we put on Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies.
Spring 1: Fresh Prince of Bel Air
All the learning for this unit is focused around one song: Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Through this the children look at the interrelated dimensions of music (pulse, rhythm, pitch etc.), singing and playing instruments are all linked. In addition, it draws together musical skills of listening and appraising, composing, improvising and performing.
Summer 1: Make you feel my love.
A unit with a heavy focus on performing and developing a love of learning a song as a whole year group.
Summer 2: Reflect, Rewind and Replay
To finish the year, children will listen to and appraise Western Classical music as well as looking back at their favourite music from the year.
Arts and Craft Carousel
In addition to class based music, music is being covered in the Arts and Craft Carousel.
Ukulele Course: Each year group will be learning to play an instrument during the course of the year. Year 6 will work on instrumental skills through learning the ukulele.
Extra-curricular opportunities
There are several clubs and opportunities available for those who are interested.
We currently have:
- September to January - Young Voices Singing Club
- December to March - G Live Choir
- Singing Club
- Boys Choir
- Recorder Clubs
- Orchestra
- Peripatetic music lessons
If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument, or you have any questions about what is available, please feel free to contact the school office. We have several instruments owned by the school (particularly brass and string instruments) which are currently not in use.
If you are interested in learning to play the recorder, piano or learn to sing Mrs Cole may have some slots available, please contact the school for more information.
If your child is interested in learning drums or guitar (individually or within a small group), follow the Rock & Pop Foundation links below to apply for music lessons.
If your child is interested in learning another instrument or singing lessons (individually or within a small group), Follow the Surrey Arts Music Lessons link below for further details and to apply for lessons online.