• Classics for Kids - Games to help learn musical terms and note names. There are also activities to introduce composers and instruments of the orchestra.

• Royal Albert Hall - Meet Albert’s Band! Each episode introduces you to a different instrument and provides links to pieces that showcase the instruments in all their glory!

• BBC Ten Pieces - BBC Ten Pieces introduces children to classical music through videos presented by famous television presenters.

• Music Lab - MusicLab has lots of online music activities. The Song Maker is perfect for experimenting with varying levels of texture or ostinato (repeating patterns or rhythms)

• BBC Bitesize - BBC Bitesize contains videos explaining musical terminology. There’s also a quiz to complete at the end.

• Philharmonia - Videos introducing every instrument of the orchestra, demonstrating how it sounds and how it is played. More suited to upper key stage 2 pupils.

• Jess Gillam - BBC Young Musician Finalist Jess Gillam has set up the Virtual Scratch Orchestra, in which she invites people of all ages and abilities to get involved in recording a piece of music that can be put together in a virtual orchestra video! So far, she has completed three projects that have been a great success. Keep checking the website, maybe you could get involved in the next piece?

• Jam Zone - For those that have access to an instrument at home this site has lots of resources to help learn a song. There are also short lessons included in the ‘Take a lesson’ section. In the ‘games’ section students can have a go at drumming and building a beat.

• MusEDLab - This website allows students to create different drum beats in different styles. They can change their beats by altering the number of slices, the tempo and other functions by changing the controls at the bottom.

• Isle of Tune - Create a town on your map, adding objects beside your road. As your car drives past different objects it creates different sounds. You can experiment with the pitch or timbre. Adding further cars increases the texture. More suited to year 3 pupils. Requires Adobe Flash Player so may not work on all computers/devices.

Activities to try:

 

1. The BBC Bring the Noise Page has 5 top tips for getting your children interested in music: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/bring-the-noise/five-ways-to-spark-childrens-interest-in-music/zb878xs

2. Make an instrument at home – You will find some useful websites below that will give you some ideas to help you get started.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/bring-the-noise/half-term-music-activities/zmmpxyc/https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/Music-Instruments-for-Kids-to-Make

https://helentoole8.wixsite.com/smas-music/musical-makes

3. Make up your own tune or rhythm and decide how you could write it down to help you remember it. If you know how, you could use standard notation. Alternatively, you could create a graphic score (see below).  Think about how you could develop your tune into a composition. Can you add more than one instrument? Begin to think about timbre, tempo, dynamics and texture.

Graphic score: https://helentoole8.wixsite.com/smas-music/graphic-score

 

Places to visit:

The Royal Albert Hall

One of the most spectacular music venues in the UK and of course, home to the famous music festival, The Proms. In an effort to enthuse the next generation, the Royal Albert Hall often hosts events suitable for children and families, including “Relaxed Proms”. The Hall has a resident Education and Outreach ensemble, who offer interactive performances and workshops for all ages. https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/series/children-and-families/

LSO Discovery

The London Symphony Orchestra host a Family Concert three times a year at the Barbican Hall, London. The music played is based on a theme and there’s an opportunity to sing or play along in an audience participation piece. These events are great for children learning an instrument, allowing them the opportunity to see what they could aspire to.

https://lso.co.uk/lso-discovery/discovery-families.html

LPO Funharmonics

Similar to the LSO Discovery scheme, the London Philharmonic offer Funharmonics. This one-hour long concert at the Royal Festival Hall introduces children to orchestral music.

https://lpo.org.uk/whats-on/ 

There are also various amateur orchestras who offer open rehearsals or Child friendly concerts.

When pupils leave at the end of year 6, they will have been introduced to music from a variety of genres, backgrounds, periods and cultures. Throughout their time at Whiteheath Junior School, they will have developed key musical skills and had the opportunity to appraise, sing, play and create their own music.

At Whiteheath, we pride ourselves on the fact that all pupils have access to a range of extra-curricular opportunities. Through their participation in concerts, plays and carol services, we endeavour for every pupil to realise the value and joy that music can bring; creating a sense of community, promoting wellbeing and allowing them to build their confidence.

By the end of Year 6, children will:

• Be able to sing and play music with confidence and control.
• They will be able to compose music inspired by particular artists or genres.
• They will be able to record their compositions using staff notation.
• Have had the opportunity to perform in solo and ensemble contexts.
• Be able to improvise music within a range of genres.
• Be able to recall the key elements of music.
• Appreciate a wide range of music, offering their thoughts and opinions on particular pieces.
• Be able to comment on how music has developed over the years.
• Have had the opportunity to learn an instrument, either in a whole-class setting or through peripatetic lessons.
• Have performed in events including carol services and Christmas plays, combining their musical skills with drama and dance.