At the Willows we believe that music is a language we all can understand. The vision for Music is that every child is exposed to high quality music throughout their school life, in different contexts such as in class, a music lesson, cross curricular, in assembly or in the playground. We want children to adopt a lifelong love of music, learn from it, enjoy it and have confidence in making and performing it. In performing, children will build on skills such as resilience, bravery and teamwork, developing a well-rounded child. We want to open our children’s eyes and minds to music across the world and in their own community, and from different times in history, telling the story of the past and present. We want them to explore how music can make you feel and how powerful it is. In following our vision children will gain confidence, develop communication skills and improve their emotional wellbeing.
Music lessons are taught through our chosen scheme Charanga. All children participate in a weekly music lesson. The Willows has singing in assemblies which sets the children off in good spirits, a highlight of the day for many and a joy for visitors who join us! Within this they have singing assemblies to develop skills of how to sing with a sense of pitch and melody. They are taught how to listen to each other, and build up a repertoire of songs.
In addition to using Charanga, all children perform to an audience in their class showcase every year, many year groups will have a bigger performance (eg Reception do a Nativity concert, Year 6 an end of year concert). Year 2 go out into the community to share the joy of music by singing at the hospital and in an old person’s home.
There is also an opportunity for children to access music tuition within school taught by experienced peripatetic teachers. We have a range of lessons including piano, violin, cello, trumpet, cornet, trombone, clarinet, flute and guitar.
We also offer a variety of Musical Clubs throughout the school including Songbirds for the younger children, moving on to Young Voices for the older children. There is also a weekly recorder club for Year 2 children upwards. All of the clubs offer the opportunity to perform for a much larger audience at The Victoria Hall in Hanley and in the case of Young Voices at an arena.
Once a year there is also a Musical Extravaganza where we showcase all the musical talents throughout the school and they perform in front of an audience. Not only do our current children perform, but ex pupils are invited to showcase their talents. It is incredible to see how they have flourished and how inspired our children are by seeing what they too can achieve.