Class Music

How do we inspire and encourage boys to take an active interest in music? Our school values lead us to continuously develop a class music curriculum around the core value of challenge, aiming to nurture the skills of patience, resilience and determination that boys need to thrive, wherever their musical interests take them.

This challenge begins in Year 3, with a motivational recorder curriculum that rewards boys with karate style belts for their progression. In Year 4, the djembe drums are used to introduce music from other cultures and the discipline of group performance. These ensemble skills are developed further in Year 5, using the ukulele to introduce boys to elements of rock and pop music, culminating in their first extended composing project, writing a structured pop song. Composition skills are developed further in the upper year groups, using ideas from innovative composers, such as Gershwin, Reich and Derbyshire, with boys being introduced to elements of Jazz, contemporary classical and electronic music.

Singing features as a core element in all year groups. In the upper year groups, more able boys might be challenged with the opportunity to create a band to accompany their year group’s singing.