YEAR 5

The focus in Year 5 is on music from around the world.

Children start off with an African Music topic. They learn about the characteristics and diverse nature of African music, explore instruments and sounds particular to different parts of the continent. They then learn to play the djembe, continuing the focus on listening and playing with others. Over several weeks, they learn how to play the song, Kuku. The next unit is based on Mars from The Planets suite: with ostinatos as a starting point, children compose their own representation of a planet.

Later in the year, they learn to play the ukulele, listening to masters of the ukulele and guitar repertoire. They learn how to accompany their own singing using the ukulele. Finally, they travel East with a look at pentatonic scales and the music of China.