Music Curriculum
At Sedbergh Prep we aim to encourage all pupils to enjoy, understand and appreciate a wide range of music, including Western and World traditions. The teaching of music develops pupils’ ability to listen and analyse. It enables the appreciation of a wide variety of music and cultures and allows pupils to make judgements about musical quality. Music enables active involvement in different forms, both communal and individual, developing a sense of group identity and togetherness, as well as instilling and developing confidence in individuals. It increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.
Classroom lessons are all given and directed by a specialist Music Teacher. The curriculum is written by the Director of Music and is tailored specifically for the school. Lessons are delivered in small groups, divided by Year and Form (all years from Nursery to Year 8). All pupils in Years 3-8 have music journals in which to retain their written work and formal test results. Lessons cover the following areas and more:
- Musical elements
- Score-reading skills
- Performance skills
- Composition
- Listening and analytical skills
- Music history
- Music technology
- Small group work (analytical, compositional, vocal and instrumental)
- Individual work (analytical, compositional, vocal and instrumental)
- Unison and part-singing
- Performance opportunities for individuals and groups to their peers
All children in the Pre-Prep gain an understanding of the basic musical elements and will be able to express themselves musically in movement and song, and through the use of classroom percussion instruments before they reach Year 3. Year 2 pupils learn the recorder in class. Several Pre-Prep children learn instruments in 1:1 lessons and provision is made to stretch pupils even further in class lessons.
All children in Years 3-8 learn the keyboard and tuned percussion instruments in class and use these and other instruments to aid composition, score-reading and other tasks. Where children learn other instruments, these are encouraged for use in class as appropriate. All lessons are differentiated according to individual ability. Children access a basic history of Western Music, as well as a variety of World Music from Years 3-8. This covers the Medieval period through to the 21st Century and includes both classical and popular styles. In Years 7 and 8, pupils learn about music in the media, film and advertising industries. There are opportunities for solo and group composition and for pupils to access music via a range of technologies and software, including the use of Sibelius notation software.
