Music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate pupils. We work on the premise that all pupils are musical and have the innate ability to play, sing, listen, create and express themselves. At Valley Gardens Middle School, we aim to provide learning experiences that are tailored to develop each pupil’s musical ability, enriching both pupil’s education and their lives. Music has the facility to impact and benefit our pupils as we prepare our pupils with a broad and varied range of skills and qualities that are both relevant and transferable.
Each class receives one music lesson per week taught by a subject specialist in a block of classrooms which are fully equipped with a good range of high quality classroom instruments.
Music seeks to provide each pupil with the knowledge, skills, interest and enthusiasm which allows them to engage with the subject in such a way as to provide them with exciting opportunities and experiences in order to develop their understanding and enjoyment.
The following skills will form the basis for the musical learning that takes place.
Performing – play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency and control.
Composing and Improvising – improvise, arrange and compose music for a range of purposes using staff and other musical notations.
Listening – listen and explore how music is created and begin to appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and genres.
Musical knowledge is also a priority and therefore the following will form a key part of learning.
- Musical Elements
- Notation
- Music from a range of style and genres
- Composers and Musicians
- Music Technology
Each of the strands builds on the musical elements providing a strong foundation on which all music is built.
Please see the Music Department Curriculum Maps below.
Below are just some of the skills and qualities our pupils gain from studying music.
Music Skills
Music Department Curriculum Maps
Term 1 – Exploring Beat and Rhythms Term 2 – Exploring Pitch and Melody Term 3 – Exploring the Musical Elements Term 1a – Exploring Pitch and Melody Term 2a – Samba Term 2b – Folk In the Jungle Samba Keyboard Skills Classical Music Three Little Birds Exploring Garageband Exploring Garageband Three Little Birds Music Production (Pachelbel’s Canon) 12 Bar Blues
Please click on the images below to find out more:
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A special mention for Maeve (yr 6) and Denis Porter (year 8) with Miriam who is joining us in September for winning the North Tyneside Music Hub competition. As a result they got to provide the final music takeaway for all schools and home schools in North Tyneside. #vgmsmusic
A special mention for Maeve (yr 6) and Denis Porter (year 8) with Miriam who is joining us in September for winning the North Tyneside Music Hub competition. As a result they got to provide the final music takeaway for all schools and home schools in North Tyneside. #vgmsmusic
You can see the presentation they researched, planned and scripted on 'Folk and Traditional Music' themselves. Watch their amazing achievement on the attached link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=8d46HvqJueg&feature=emb_logo A talented family. #vgmsmusic
A special mention for Maeve (yr 6) and Denis Porter (year 8) with Miriam who is joining us in September for winning the North Tyneside Music Hub competition. As a result they got to provide the final music takeaway for all schools and home schools in North Tyneside. #vgmsmusic
You can see the presentation they researched, planned and scripted on 'Folk and Traditional Music' themselves. Watch their amazing achievement on the attached link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=8d46HvqJueg&feature=emb_logo A talented family. #vgmsmusic
A special mention for Maeve (yr 6) and Denis Porter (year 8) with Miriam who is joining us in September for winning the North Tyneside Music Hub competition. As a result they got to provide the final music takeaway for all schools and home schools in North Tyneside. #vgmsmusic
A big well done to all the musicans for the continued practising and getting on board with online lessons during such strange times. It has been lovely to receive so many videos of your lockdown performances. It has been a privilege to be your audience! Miss Mc #vgmsmusic
A big congratulations to all the music students who recently took their Aoociated Board Music Exams. The results are in and there are some incredible marks with everyone getting either a high merit or distinction. All your hard work has paid off! #vgmsmusic
Well done to the afternoon group. You can all heave a sigh of relief now! #vgmsmusic
3Lots of smiley faces from the students doing their exams before lunch. #vgmsmusic
3Exams are underway and going well! #vgmsmusic
4Exams are underway and going well! #vgmsmusic
4We were lucky enough to be treated to two performances today in the Year 8 Headteacher's Assembly. Well done to Megan for her treble recorder solo of The Addams Family and to the violin ensemble for their performance of Smooth Operator. A great job everyone! #vgmsmusic
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