Music

Intent

At Brentside Primary Academy we make music learning a fun, enjoyable experience which will enable each child to reach their full musical potential. The intention is that children gain a strong understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, composing and evaluating across a wide variety of musical styles, traditions and historical periods. We encourage children to participate in a variety of musical experiences with the opportunity to perform in front of an audience both within and outside of school. Incorporating music into all aspects of our school environment allows our children to develop confidence, self – esteem, social and communication skills, creativity, concentration, expression and sense of achievement.

Children will also have the opportunity to learn to play and master specific instruments within school and from home. This empowers children to care and establish responsibility for their instruments and form a solid structure of disciplined practice.

Implementation

The music curriculum is centred on sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the music classroom through activities with our music teacher as well as the weekly singing assemblies, choirs, after school clubs, various concerts and performances, and the learning of instruments throughout the school week. The elements of music are taught in classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to explore it, and understand how it is composed, played, appreciated and analysed.

They also learn how to compose focussing on different dimensions of music, composing and performing using body percussion and vocal sounds. This develops the understanding of musical elements without the added complexity of an instrument. In the classroom students have an opportunity to learn how to play an instrument, from all four main instrument groups. This enables children to appreciate the different principle of each method of creating notes, as well as how to read basic music notation. As children get older, we expect them to maintain their concentration for longer and to listen to more extended pieces of music, incorporating technologies such as ‘Garage Band’, facilitating the children to compose and produce their own musical pieces. 

Impact

Each child at Brentside Primary Academy will receive a broad and balanced curriculum regardless of year group or ability. Whilst in school, children have access to a varied music programme, which allows students to discover areas of strength, as well as areas they might like to improve upon or further aspire to. Music will also develop an understanding of culture and history, both in relation to students individually, as well as ethnicities from across the world.

Children are able to enjoy music, in as many ways as they choose- either as listener, creator or performer and learn to work both independently and as part of a group, ensuring skills of resilience and teamwork are promoted in this subject. We build on the musical horizons of each child and we strongly believe that children should be given the opportunity to share their musical skills at different events both in and outside school. It is our aim that each child becomes a confident performer.  We support each child who may be less confident and encourage them to flourish.

Young Voices 2025

We are delighted to be able to offer a group of children from Year 5 and Year 6 the amazing opportunity to take part in the 'Young Voices' concert at the OVO Arena Wembley. The choir will perform on Monday 10th February 2025 at 7pm – 10pm.

‘Young Voices’ is the world’s largest children’s choir concert and, by taking part, the children will rehearse, and perform, a wide variety of songs and dance moves to a packed concert arena alongside their peers, children from other schools and incredible artists. It has just been announced that  will be a famous musical artist performing with the ‘Young Voices’ choir, and Urban Strides street dancers will, once again, choreograph routines for the children to perform. The ‘Young Voices’ concerts are a magical and unforgettable experience for all of the children involved.

The songs are now available to listen and sing along to at home. I have uploaded the lyrics. 

Rehearsals for ‘Young Voices’ will take place, each Tuesday and Thursday after school until 4.20pm, and each Wednesday at lunchtime 12.00 – 12.30pm, commencing on Wednesday 15^th January 2025 until the Concert in February 2025.

Ms Murphy, will be directing these after school sessions and will lead the trip to the concert in Wembley too. In the rehearsal sessions, the children will learn, through the ‘Young Voices’ songs, about singing technique, singing in parts, how to sing in different styles and how to perform to an audience. The children are expected to attend each rehearsal on a weekly basis.

More information about ‘Young Voices’ can be found via their website: www.youngvoices.co.uk

We subsidise the cost of the coach and 'Young Voices' signup fee but there are some costs associated with participating in ‘Young Voices 2025’ and these are outlined below: 

Optional Extras: 

‘Young Voices 2025’ T-Shirt - £15. These are available from the website

If t-shirts are not purchased ALL must wear a plain white t – shirt, no logos.

‘Young Voices’ tickets for parents / carers / siblings wishing to attend the concert - £24 per ticket PLUS personal travel to OVO Wembley Arena. You will need to place your own ticket orders via the Young Voices shop. Tickets are subject to availability. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Places in our ‘Young Voices’ Choir are limited to 30. All children must attend all rehearsals for the concert. Children also need to practice at home with lyric sheets and practice songs. Lyrics will need to be learned for the concert date.

All children who look to be allocated a space in the concert must have permission from parent/carer which will be sent via school Ping.

We hope the children who take part in ‘Young Voices 2025’ have a positive and fulfilling experience.