Category : Music

This week, Y4 were VERY excited to start their Djembe unit in music. We started by watching a video of a wedding in Mali where these traditional African drums were being played. We then got to grips with the instrument, discussing the different parts like the skin and exploring how we can produce different percussive sounds by hitting it in different places.

We then played different high and low notes in a four beat bar. To make it harder, children then had to listen and copy the different bars one after another (see the video!). We finished by attempting a Djembe call and reply. This was a tricky exercise where all players hold a steady pulse, one player beats a ‘call’ to which everyone else replies and then falls back into the steady rhythm. Our call was “We want you, we want you” with a reply of “We want you as a new recruit” Watch the video to see how it well children beat the syllables!

In Year 1 we have been listen to and appraising rap music! We all loved it and enjoyed dancing to the rhythm and pulse! We liked listening to the words and finding out what the rappers were saying.

Alongside this we all got to perform our very own rap song called Hey You! from Charanga. We have been learning the song and rap sections from it.

Earlier this week, Miss Staines took 15 Year 5 pupils to Sirius Academy West to take part in a Creative and Performing Arts Workshop. The day was based on the musical School of Rock and throughout the morning the children took part in a dance, drama and music session. In drama, the children refined their acting skills while performing a scene from the musical; while working with a dance teacher, they learned a dance to one of the songs from School of Rock and in music they learned a song from the musical. In the afternoon, the children were selected to perform in either the drama, dance or music piece to the rest of the children in a celebration assembly at the end of the day. Reegan S was selected for a starring role in the dance piece and Chloe H and Megan D were chosen for starring roles in the drama piece.

Megan D, Chloe H and Charlie K performing in the drama piece.

Reegan S, Laura S, Poppy T and Ryan R performing in the dance piece and Darcie C, Zayne N, Declan G, Imogen T, Harry R, Dylan D, Ruby P and Cole O performing in the music piece.

A huge well done to Zayne N, Declan G and Reegan S who won prizes for their enthusiasm and outstanding performing skills throughout the day.

We wanted to share our progress with you and will continue to post as we develop as musicians 🎻🎼

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This term, the Year Four pupils are lucky to have a visiting specialist Violin teacher, Mr Lynch. As well as teaching us the basics of the violin he is teaching us about genres of music and widening our knowledge of instruments.

This week we were exploring the different  sounds that the violin could make – noisy and great fun 🎼🎻

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Miss Jeffrey and Mrs Hebden are so very impressed with the progress that has been made by our pupils during their violin lessons. They have worked brilliantly with their specialist teachers Mr Smalley and Mrs England to learn songs, notes and techniques! Take a look…

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During the introductory week, we met the teachers that will be teaching us the Violin for ten weeks, Mr Smalley and Mrs England. We learned a little about the instrument and enjoyed listening to a demonstration from these very skilful players.

watch us (click on the link)    IMG_0507

We loved our first lesson, as we learned how to handle the instrument and found out more about the violin. We learned how to strum and pluck and enjoyed performing in unison during our very first lesson! We felt so proud of ourselves!