Music
Music is celebrated at St Albert’s and we strive to embrace all musical opportunities.
Much of the music curriculum at St Albert’s is based on the Charanga Music scheme. Music lessons are rooted in theory with a strong emphasis on appraisal and performance. From Reception through to Year 6, music lessons are designed to nurture and challenge all our children to become accomplished young musicians, sharing their achievements through regular individual and group performances. Through the Charanga scheme the children are introduced to instrumental lessons. We currently focus on Glockenspiels as we feel they are easily accessed by all pupils and offer a fantastic gateway in to the understanding of wider music theory. Music lessons taught by class teachers are supplemented by sessions with a specialist singing teacher throughout the year. These sessions focus heavily on vocal performances, however also incorporate the interrelated dimensions of music which the children learn about in their music lessons.
In EYFS we have a Rhyme Spine. This is a selection of Nursery Rhymes and traditional songs which we feel the children should know by the time they move to KS1. These are sung regularly throughout the year and is an important part of the children reaching the Expressive Art and Design early learning goal. Towards the end of EYFS the children will be introduced to the Charanga programme to ensure they are ready for Year 1.
Each week, children participate in whole school singing sessions in which they develop a range of voice and performance skills. Sessions, in which children learn new songs, alternate with awards assemblies, in which we sing songs from our growing repertoire. The songs we learn in these sessions are heavily influenced by our Catholic faith and the hymns we will sing in church throughout the year.
In KS2 children are invited to join our school choir. Choir sessions, led by Mr Breen and Miss Jones, take a more secular route than our whole school singing sessions. Our aim is to always have a purpose for the songs we learn; somewhere or somebody to perform to. In the past we have attended Young Voices, sang at the local supermarket and care homes, and sang in Liverpool City Centre as part of a book launch.
To increase the children’s appreciation of music and broaden their musical diet we have introduced our Composer of the Month. Each month the work of a different composer is celebrated. This may be a celebrated classical composer or someone more contemporary. Previous composers have included John Williams, Vivaldi and Stevie Wonder.
St Albert’s Music Planning Documents
Archdiocese of Liverpool Singing Programme Documents