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Key Stages 1 & 2.

Key Stage 1 & 2

 

MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

 

Definition

Live music performances are undertaken in schools, which enables children first hand to experience the look and sound of specific musical instruments

Currently SMS offers four categories to Key Stage 1&2:

  • Brass
  • Woodwind
  • Strings
  • Percussion (to include African Drumming)

Aims

The aims of the Musical Experience  are to:

  • Develop children's listening skills;
  • Introduce children from an early age, to a variety of sounds and ways of making sounds;
  • Providing live music in schools.

 

 

Content

Content is decided on a yearly basis and, in most cases, will attempt to cover aspects of the National Curriculum at the relevant stage of performance.

Funding

A school can buy-in, Roadshows at a fee that is heavily subsidised by SMS (for more details on price, contact the Music Service).

Key Stage 2 receives two Roadshows free as a part of the Pathways programme and may buy-in extra Roadshows as well.

 

 

 

IN2MUSIC at Key Stage 2

 

Definition

The Swindon IN2MUSIC programme is now well established.  It was designed in response to the challenge presented by the government ‘Wider Opportunities' pledge that all pupils should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument while at Primary School.

IN2MUSIC offers whole classes (up to 30 pupils) the opportunity to learn together for a year.  There are four main programmes using combinations of instruments - Strings, Woodwind, Brass, and Drumming.  These programmes are mainly aimed at Year 5.

 An Approved Instrumental Teacher from the Music Service list teaches the group along with a member of the school staff, often the Music Co-ordinator.  The lesson takes place for approximately one to one and a half hours a week, during curriculum time.  Over and above this, the school member of staff may take an additional follow up practice session.   it is emphasised that this programme does not replace the National Curriculum and the main concentration of effort is towards the learning experience of the selected instrument.   IN2MUSIC is an integral part of the Music Service project (Pathways).

Content

The course starts at the beginning of each academic year and runs for a period of 30 weeks, spread over the academic year.

Funding

A government grant has been made available to fund the first programme of IN2MUSIC, with the opportunity for schools to buy in further programmes. 

Staff Development

Professional development is a key factor of IN2MUSIC.  Team teaching is particularly effective in providing new Music Service freelance teachers with induction training to develop skills in instilling correct posture and learning habits, to be able to reach groups effectively, to be able to integrate musical and instrumental skills, and to use a rich variety of musical styles. Creative use of ICT and interactive whiteboards is being developed.

School staff who take part in the programme learn new skills.  Depending on their current level of expertise, this can range from confidence to teach music in class to the ability to develop and rehearse extra curricular instrumental groups.

 

Outcomes

The musical outcomes of the programme are that pupils have received a secure foundation to instrumental learning, and have enjoyed the course.  Although not able to play technically demanding music, as would normally be the case after a year, extra motivation is evident through the peer support and ensemble and wider musical activities and skills developed.  Continuing pupils have shown it is possible to make rapid progress in playing skills after a year.

Units and sample lesson plans for the year have been written, and SMS encourages the Instrumental teachers to integrate ICT and interactive whiteboards to support the programme.  The development of instrumental specific skills is integrated with general music skills, and the large range of activities means pupils who may, for example, find the technical skills difficult can shine in other areas such as singing or improvising / composing.

Performances and demonstrations to parents / carers, the school and further a field (possible joint work with secondary school) are an integral part of the course.  These are a motivational factor for the pupils and provide a musical input to others in the school.  Seeing pupils taking part in IN2MUSIC can encourage others to take up instrumental lessons.

At the end of the year, pupils are offered small group tuition at school with SMS Approved Teachers and Partners and, in some cases, can be the same teacher who taught them during the programme.  Pupils also have the option of changing to another instrument.  An alternative may be to join the SMS Endangered Species programme on a Saturday morning and take up a minority instrument such as oboe, bassoon, French horn or double bass.  Moreover, IN2MUSIC classes are available on a Saturday morning at the Music Centre at a very low cost.  Other small group tuition is available through the MUSIC4YOU programme by our Approved Teachers.  This tuition is undertaken in school time.

Strategy for Schools

IN2MUSIC can be a key part in a school's strategy for music and being able to offer all children the opportunity of learning a musical instrument.  A possible pattern could be two or three IN2MUSIC programmes in a school. 

Continuing pupils can be taught by teachers on the programme directly before or after IN2MUSIC helping to make teaching visits to schools a viable length.  Schools may purchase a second year of tuition in a large group in addition to, or instead of, small group tuition.  A network of schools may wish to have this as a joint Extended Schools activity.  Where it is an ensemble in addition to lessons in school it can be taught by an Approved Teacher from SMS list (with school providing a TA if out of school time).

Schools are invited to contact SMS for a discussion about how IN2MUSIC can help their strategy for instrumental and classroom music.