Music

The Power of Music in Education

Music is more than just a form of entertainment; it is a vital part of education that enriches students’ lives in numerous ways. From enhancing cognitive abilities to fostering emotional growth, music education plays a crucial role in the holistic development of children. Studies have shown that students who engage in musical activities often perform better academically, demonstrating improved reading and maths skills. The rhythmic and melodic patterns in music help to develop the brain’s ability to process complex patterns, which translates into better problem-solving skills and higher academic achievement.

Emotional and Social Benefits

Engaging with music allows children to express their emotions and develop empathy. Whether through singing, playing an instrument, or simply listening, music provides a safe outlet for emotions and helps children understand and connect with their feelings. Additionally, participating in group musical activities, such as choir or band, fosters teamwork and social skills. These experiences teach children the value of collaboration and communication—essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Creativity and Motor Skills

Music education encourages creativity and imagination. When children create their own music or interpret existing pieces, they learn to think outside the box and explore new ideas. This creative process enhances their ability to innovate and solve problems in unique ways. Furthermore, playing musical instruments helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The precise movements required to play an instrument improve dexterity and coordination, which are beneficial in many other areas of life.

National Curriculum Overview

The National Curriculum recognises that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A high-quality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, thereby increasing their self-confidence, creativity, and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose and listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

The national curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review, and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles, and traditions, including the works of great composers and musicians.

• Learn to sing and use their voices, create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately, and progress to the next level of musical excellence.

• Understand and explore how music is created, produced, and communicated, including through the interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure, and appropriate musical notations.

At Newnham St. Peter's, we use Kapow, a fantastic online music curriculum that provides a structured sequence of learning, offering a range of creative resources alongside teaching specific tuned instrumental units. We are looking to enrich this further by collaborating with Gloucestershire Music School's peripatetic teachers to give our children experiences with different instruments to practice the skills they have learned in the curriculum (Gloucestershire Music).

Please read our Curriculum Intent, Implementation, and Impact document as part of our Music Curriculum, which outlines what we teach, why we teach it, and when.

Newnham Choir

Our choir has the opportunity to participate in Young Voices, which provides wonderful enrichment and a chance to be part of a larger musical performance. This event allows our pupils to perform alongside thousands of other young singers, creating a memorable experience that fosters a sense of community and belonging.

In addition to Young Voices, our choir performs at various events in our local community, including seasonal concerts, church services, and community festivals. These performances not only showcase the talents of our pupils but also strengthen our ties with the community, allowing us to share the joy of music with others.

This year, music is a significant focus in our School Improvement Plan, and we aim to harness a love of music across the school while offering more musical opportunities for all pupils. We believe that by investing in music education, we are enriching our pupils' lives and helping them develop essential skills that will serve them well in the future.