Music

The Junior School Music Programme for students Grade 2-5 is taught by music specialists. Our programme offers a firm foundation of musical experience to the students.

The aim of the UWCSEA Music syllabus is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in performing, composing and listening, and to allow a range of music to have a continuing role in their lives.

Students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills in the concepts of music through:

• Performing: as a means of self-expression, interpreting musical symbols and developing solo/ensemble techniques
• Composing: as a means of self expression, musical creation and problem solving
• Listening: as a means of aural awareness and communicating ideas about music in social, cultural and historical contexts.

Students will value and appreciate the aesthetic value of music and the enjoyment of engaging in performing, composing and listening.

All students in Grade 5 will complete the following units in rotation.

Below are some FAQ's about the music curriculum

What will my child learn in music?

The Junior School Music curriculum is taught through the key elements of music: Rhythm, Tempo, Pitch, Harmony, Dynamics, Tone Colour and Structure. We have also incorporated Kodaly and Orff techniques into our teaching. The curriculum is designed to facilitate a natural progression in skills from grade to grade. The programme also provides new students to the school with the opportunity to revise and extend the knowledge they bring with them. Western music forms and music from a range of cultures are used to provide an interesting and truly ‘international’ feel to the curriculum. In addition to the multitude of College based musical performances the children experience, we also actively seek opportunities for outside groups to perform here at the College. In the past we have had Indonesian, Chinese and Indian cultural groups visit to present performances and workshops.

How does Music fit with the rest of the curriculum?

The focus of Music lessons is primarily to develop skills. Where appropriate, the Music programme also contributes to units of study or concepts being explored in grades. The UWCSEA Profile is at the forefront of all our teaching.

How will my child learn in Music?

The students will be encouraged to dance, sing, play tuned and untuned percussion instruments and enjoy formalised games with specific learning outcomes. Students will be expected in the course of their development to:

sing songs in unison, round, canon and 2 part in Grades 2 and 3 and in more complex forms in Grades 4 & 5

• respond to music through movement and other forms of communication
• understand and use the terminology: pitch, duration, dynamics, timbre, texture and structure
• be exposed to repertoire from different times, places and cultures
• be exposed to repertoire by well known musicians
• identify musical instruments whilst listening
• play pieces as an individual or in parts with others
• rehearse and present performances
• improvise and arrange music
• record their work through pictorial, written or auditory means
• compose for intended effect
• make appropriate use of IT
• inquire into why music is as it is
• be reflective both of their own work and that of others

Will my child learn an instrument in class?

Students do not learn an instrument in class in Grade 2. In Grades 3 and 4 the students will be encouraged to learn and use the recorder as an on going resource in the classroom. In Grade 4 the students participate in an “Introduction to Strings” unit. This allows all students to experiment, explore and play either a violin, viola, cello or double bass during their class lesson for a 6 week period. In Grade 5 the students participate in the “Brass Programme”. This allows all students to experiment, explore and play a cornet, tenor horn, euphonium, baritone or tuba for a 6 week period.

Will my child perform publicly?

Throughout the school year there are formal opportunities for performance for all students during the United Nations Celebration and the Arts Festival. If your child is part of a Junior School Music ensemble there will also be regular concerts and show cases, including a performance at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Term 2 for one of the ensembles. Informal opportunities include playing in assembly, lunchtime recitals and class performances.

What is the ITP Programme?

The ITP programme is the “Instrumental Teaching Programme”, where student sign up for individual instrumental lessons. For further information please contact Helen Rhodes on helen.rhodes@uwcsea.edu.sg

What music activities are available to my child after school and at lunchtime?

There are a variety of opportunities for students to make music at UWCSEA during the after school activities programme. These include the Junior School Orchestra which is for established woodwind, brass, orchestral strings and percussion players. Beginner Band is available for children with no instrumental experience who are interested in learning a brass or selection of woodwind instrument in a band situation with other children. Brass Band is for already established brass players to further continue their skills.

Singing ensembles Grade 2 Singers and the Junior Singers (Grades 3-5) allow students to enjoy singing in large groups. The Grade 3 Recorder Club meets for skills development and there is also the Junior School Recorder Ensemble for more accomplished recorder players.

Sign-up to all these ensembles takes place through the Activity Sign-up system. If the closing date for Season sign up has elapsed please contact Lisa Hill directly on lisa.hill@uwcsea.edu.sg