Music at Long Row

At Long Row, we use the Charanga Musical School Scheme which allows for continued opportunities to listen to and reflect on a wide range of music.  Singing forms the basis of each unit of work, and composition and performance elements are used in each unit.  The interrelated dimensions of music are continually repeated and developed throughout the scheme and allow an ever-increasing spiral of musical learning.  Music at Long Row reflects the components of the Model Music Curriculum (2021) in supporting progression in music, building on the statutory Early Years foundations, and the National Plan for Music (2022).

Did you know?  The interrelated dimensions of music are: pulse, rhythm, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, texture, structure and notation.

Our intent is that music at Long Row is inclusive and ambitious for all.  This may mean adapting, modifying or scaffolding the learning, or making reasonable adjustments to enable all children, including those with SEND, to access the music curriculum. For example, adapting sounds or using noise reducing headphones for those with specific sensory needs.  We have also trialled the 1/9 model for our Wider Opportunities teachers this year, allowing children who would benefit from taking part in a smaller starting group to build up their musical confidence and adjust to new teachers, before the whole class joins them.

Whilst tuned instruments (in particular the glockenspiel) are introduced through the Charanga Musical School Scheme, it is also important that children also receive the opportunity to learn an instrument through the Wider Opportunities Scheme, delivered via the Derby and Derbyshire Musical Partnership.  This in turn, allows opportunities to develop musical skills to higher standards, including playing in ensemble groups at school. This year, all Year 4 children are learning to play the flute. Individual instrument lessons are also available through links with the Music Partnership, Rock Steady and other Peripatetic Music Teachers.  We are proud to have an established Key Stage 2 Choir, who perform at school events and within the local community, including links with local intergeneration projects.  We also celebrate music at Long Row with our termly concerts.

Music is taught as a discrete subject on a weekly basis, but this is not the limit of exposure to music. Most of the Charanga lessons will usually be between 45 minutes or one hour, made up of Listen and Appraise, Musical Activities and Perform/Share.  Where appropriate across the whole curriculum, music should be used to enhance learning and experiences, whether that be by listening to a wide range of different music in assemblies and in the classroom, or watching music being performed online, or live if possible.  In June, children had the opportunity to ‘Come and Play with the Hallé’ at Derby Arena.  Weekly whole school singing assemblies allow structured opportunities to further develop listening and performing skills, as well as continued music vocabulary development through discussion and personal reflection of the music.  There are many researched benefits to listening to music, including very importantly, it being a factor in improving mental well-being. 

In Music, progression is based on building an understanding of musical concepts through a repetition-based approach to learning.  Learning the same musical concept through different musical activities enables a more secure, deeper learning and mastery of musical skills.  Learning is not neat or linear.  The strands of musical learning are part of the learning spiral.  Over time, children can both develop new musical skills and concepts, and re-visit established musical skills and concepts, allowing a deeper understanding to develop as well as learning something new. 

We are very proud to have been invited by the Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership to become a Music Mark School for the second year running.  This is to celebrate the value that we place on music at Long Row.

Music Mark is the UK Association for Music Education, championing and supporting access to music for all children and young people.  Music Mark works to support and enable the music education sector to deliver high-quality musical and social outcomes for all children and young people. 

"On behalf of Music Mark and from us at Derby & Derbyshire Music Partnership we would like to thank you for all the hard work your school does to support this collective vision."

The Christmas Choir have enjoyed their first performances of the year, singing a range of traditional and modern Christmas carols.  They sang for the residents and staff at Ada Belfield, and at the Congregational Chapel for the Belper District 50+ Forum.  As in previous years, the audiences really enjoyed their singing and especially the actions for Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer! We have already been invited back again next year.

We are incredibly proud of all those who sang and represented Long Row with such enthusiasm, and we look forward to more singing in the run-up to Christmas.

Thank you to all the children involved in the Choir - it really is a joy to hear you sing - and to the office staff for all their support too.

Mrs Z-B

South East Derbyshire Music Centre

Making Music.  Making Friends.  Making Memories.

South East Derbyshire Music Centre provides a wonderful opportunity for young people in Amber Valley and Erewash to make music!  On Saturday mornings, the Centre is busy with musical activities such as wind bands, orchestras and choirs.  There is something for every ability level, and allows for wonderful music making opportunities and regular concerts.  Several children who learn instruments at Long Row already attend SEDMC and really enjoy their weekly music sessions there.  

Please see the flyer below or visit their website to find out more: http://sedmc.co.uk/

Please see the flyer above about Beat Roots, a wonderful musical opportunity for children age 4 to 9 to get started on their musical journey through movement, singing and games.

Useful web links: