Music

“Music is an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”

– Billy Joel

Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. Music forms part of an individual’s identity and positive interaction with music can develop pupils’ competence as learners and increase their self-esteem. Music brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.

At Damers First School it is our intent to inspire creativity, increase levels of musical skill and understanding, develop confidence, self belief and ignite a passion for a lifelong love of music. We strive to enable all of our pupils to experience the joy of singing, composing and performing together. To create memories and a passion that will last a lifetime.

Through our music curriculum we offer a wide range of opportunities for our pupils to develop their musical skill, knowledge, understanding and appreciation. The requirements of the music curriculum is implemented through teachers using the Sing Up scheme of work. Teachers follow the suggested modules throughout the year but adaptations can be made with additional, optional modules and year group teachers’ decisions to substitute music more relevant to their creative productions.

Sing Up’s music curriculum, with a scheme of work for each year group, represents a complete and progressive sequence of plans and resources that meets the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (Expressive Arts), the National Curriculum for Music and suggested approaches of the Model Music Curriculum (Singing, Listening, Composing, Performance/Instrumental Performance).

Covering a broad and diverse range of repertoire, approaches and musical traditions, Sing Up Music supports a fully-integrated approach to musical development, connecting the interrelated strands of singing, playing, composing, listening, and appraising.

Pupils in Year 4 have the benefit of whole class music instrumental teaching during the summer term. These lessons are taught by musicians from the Dorset Music Hub and individual instruments to all pupils are provided by DASP music. At Damers First School we work very closely with the staff at DASP music and our local First Schools to come together and perform in a Year 4 DASP singing concert.

Performing is important here at Damers First School. We understand that music is a performance art and regularly give all of our pupils a chance to showcase their work. In the Foundation and KS1 classes, all are involved in Christmas productions. Parents are warmly invited to watch. The sense of achievement, confidence and teamwork, alongside the musical skills developed cannot be underestimated.

For the pupils in KS2, they perform a Christmas Carol Concert in a local church, again with parents invited to watch. They also perform in a production in each year group, with the Year 4 performances staged in the Thomas Hardye School’s theatre.

Our music provision is also extended to after school clubs. We run a popular weekly choir for years 2-4, who in the last year have performed at various local events including performing for King Charles’ first visit to Poundbury after his coronation. We also have a professional musician running a digital music makers club and one of our social proscribing activities is also music.

At Damers First School we encourage the children to participate in musical instrument tuition of their choice. This is facilitated by the Dorset Music Hub and uses peripatetic teachers. This can range from individual lessons to small group sessions. Lessons available include piano, recorders, violins, drums, guitar, ukuleles and a variety of brass instruments. Details can be found on the DASP music website.

The music provision within our school, we hope, will have a lifelong impact on the children. It is so integral to human nature that it crosses all areas of life skills including, self belief and self worth, confidence and an understanding and respect of difference. The music teaching at Damers First School will give the children the knowledge, skills and understanding to develop as confident performers, composers and listeners. They will experience a wide variety of musical styles and genres which in turn will help them to respect all of those around them in a world that is vastly diverse.

Please click to view our Music Progression of Knowledge and Skills.