“ Sometimes music really helps calming things down and you can listen to music when you don’t have anything to do.” “ Well, we have learnt lots about djembe drums. In middle its the low pitch and on sides its higher pitch.” Angelina, Beech class

“ At my music lesson, at school, when last time we were doing zebra and stripes and I liked that lesson, we used instruments and I like using instruments.” Aadhya Pine class

Above are a few statements from our students describing their music experience at Central. At central we aim to engage and inspire children to develop their love for music. We follow 'Kapow' our Music curriculum scheme. Kapow attempts to cover a wide range of music from every continent in the world, allowing the children to creatively explore and travel around the world through a range of instruments, composers and songs. The children are able to learn about the history and key stylistic features of the Caribbean, South American, South African, Indian and Indonesian music, as well as playing, composing and listening to these styles of music. 

This term in  early years children got lots of opportunities to learn rhymes and explore musical instruments. We worked with children on their listening and attention skills through various singing sessions. Year 1 studied pulse and rhythm. They were introduced to musical vocabulary like rhythm, pitch, pulse, etc with the theme of ‘Under the sea’. Year 2 looked at different orchestral instruments and learned the name of these instruments. Year 3 took part in a whole class lesson on tuned percussion. Children enjoyed South Africa themed music with intention to develop rhythmic, singing and notation skills. Year 4 children got exposure to rock and roll music and its history. Year 5 children heard ’Blue’ music with the intention to explore this genre. Children were given opportunities to sing in tune, using vocal expressions to convey meaning and to explain what a chord is and play the chord. Year 6 children practised their songs in preparation for the Young Voices concert to be held in January. All the best to our Central children for one brilliant performance next year. Children also attended weekly singing assemblies.

Christmas performance

This term at Central our children not only explored a variety of music they also prepared their musical performances. Reception children had put on a brilliant musical nativity performance. On 09th December twelve of our Central children joined the adult Phoenix Choir at St Mary’s Church and sang a variety of Christmas songs to the audience’s pleasure! Children from Nursery, key-stage 1 and key-stage 2  have prepared really well and will be singing Christmas carols on 18th and 19th December.  All the very best for their performances.

This week's book recommendation is suitable for KS1

Our Tower

By Joseph Coelho

This fable follows three children who leave their dull tower in search of the wonderous tree that they can see from their tower window. As they adventure through the wood, their world become more colourful and as they reach the tree, they discover a magical underground world. Full of rhyme and messages about the beauty of nature, this is one that will remind the children of the beauty in community and the wonders of joyous rhyme.