🎵 Music 

At Lowerhouses CE Primary School, our Music curriculum helps children gain a firm understanding of what music is through performing, singing, improvising, composing, listening, and reviewing. We want pupils to develop curiosity about music, respect for all styles and traditions, and confidence in expressing themselves creatively.

Music is taught as a practical subject, giving children opportunities to sing, play instruments, and perform, while also learning how to listen critically and appreciate music from different cultures and historical periods.

To make progression clear and accessible, each Music topic page now includes a Learning Journey. These journeys show how knowledge and skills build step by step across year groups, helping children, parents, and staff see the pathway of musical learning from EYFS through to Year 6.

By following these journeys, pupils can connect their learning across themes such as pulse and rhythm, pitch and melody, composition, and performance. They also explore instrumental study, including ukulele and clarinet, and learn to read notation. This structure supports creativity, collaboration, and cultural appreciation, ensuring children leave with the confidence to enjoy music as listeners, creators, and performers.

🔎 Intent

• Ensure children gain a clear understanding of what music is through performing, singing, improvising, composing, listening, and reviewing.

• Share a wide variety of music from different historical periods, styles, traditions, and genres.

• Develop curiosity for the subject and respect for the role of music in people’s lives.

• Help children understand the value of music in the wider community and use their skills in different contexts.

🧭 Implementation

• Curriculum guided by the Charanga music scheme.

• Children sing, listen, play, perform, and evaluate regularly.

• Weekly celebrations through song, concerts, and performances.

• Classroom lessons teach the elements of music (pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure).

• Children learn tuned and untuned percussion, and in Year 4, clarinet lessons are delivered by Kirklees Music Service.

• Parents can book additional instrument lessons through Kirklees Music Service.

• Pupils learn to read basic music notation and compose using different dimensions of music.

• Composing and performing with body percussion and vocal sounds develops understanding of musical elements without instruments.

🎯 Impact

• Children access a varied programme that allows them to discover strengths and areas for improvement.

• Music helps children understand culture and history, both individually and globally.

• Pupils enjoy music as listeners, creators, and performers.

• They can dissect music, comprehend its parts, sing, and feel a pulse.

• Children develop skills to pursue music further if they choose, building confidence and creativity.

📚 Music Parent Resources