Music
Music at Our Lady of the Rosary
At Our Lady of the Rosary, our Music curriculum inspires children to develop creativity, confidence, and a lifelong enjoyment of music. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to sing, perform, compose, and appreciate a wide range of musical styles and traditions. Through active participation and regular performance opportunities, pupils build the skills to listen critically, perform expressively, and create with imagination.
Our Approach to Teaching Music
Our curriculum provides a rounded musical education, combining listening, performing, composing, and appraising. Music is taught progressively from the Early Years through to Year 6 so that pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of the interrelated dimensions of music: pulse, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, and structure.
Children sing regularly, play tuned and untuned instruments, and explore how music can communicate feelings, ideas, and stories. They learn to read simple notation, improvise and compose music, and perform both individually and as part of an ensemble.
Retrieval opportunities are included to support children in recalling key vocabulary and musical concepts, helping them to make connections between different styles, genres, and traditions.
Developing Musical Skills
Pupils develop their skills across four key strands:
- Singing: developing control of pitch, expression, and phrasing through solo and group performance.
- Playing instruments: using tuned and untuned instruments with accuracy and control, both in class and ensemble settings.
- Composing and improvising: creating and recording original music using voice, body percussion, and instruments.
- Listening and appraising: exploring music from a range of cultures, genres, and historical periods, using musical vocabulary to discuss and evaluate what they hear.
As children progress, they build confidence in reading notation, performing to an audience, and reflecting on their own and others’ work.
Enrichment and Wider Opportunities
Music is at the heart of life at Our Lady of the Rosary. Pupils enjoy a wide range of experiences, including class and whole-school performances, choirs, and instrumental lessons. Visitors, live performances, and workshops give children opportunities to experience professional musicianship and develop an understanding of music beyond the classroom.
Each year group takes part in a performance, helping pupils to develop confidence, teamwork, and pride in their achievements. We also celebrate music through liturgical events, assemblies, and special themed days that promote creativity and community.
Continuing the Journey
As children move through the school, they develop technical skill, musical understanding, and confidence in creative expression. They leave Our Lady of the Rosary able to perform, compose, and appraise with independence, ready to build on their musical foundations in secondary school and to enjoy music as an important part of life and learning.