Music

Why do we teach music at Mersea Island School? 

At Mersea Island School, music plays an important part in our school community. Music in years 1 to 6 is taught via Charanga, an online music scheme, provided and supported by Essex Music Service enabling all our children to access a high quality music education. Its weekly lessons enable children to access engaging and exciting resources in order to develop their musical knowledge, skills and understanding, building on previous learning resulting in them being able to:

• Perform, listen to, review & evaluate music
• Be taught to sing, improvise with & compose music 
• Understand & explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

It is hoped that through this they will develop a love for music, through an active involvement in performing, composing, listening and appraising across a wide range of historical periods, styles, traditions and musical genres embracing the cultural diversity of the world we live in.  We promote an understanding and the importance of all types of music, and respect the role music may play in any person’s life. The children learn to sing, and are given opportunities to perform to an audience. We encourage children to understand the value of music within the wider community, and enable them to be involved in musical experiences in a range of contexts. Staff and children recognise the important role that music plays in both children’s academic and social development. Our objective is to promote enjoyment, confidence and enthusiasm for music through practical activity, exploration and discussion.

As well as weekly music lessons in class, pupils also have additional opportunities to participate in music through weekly singing assemblies, 1:1 lessons with peripatetic teachers, performances in and out of school and participating in music workshops and festivals with other schools. We are also excited to offer 'iRock' lessons, where children will have the opportunity to learn vocals, keyboard, guitar or drums as part of a rock band and achieve RSL awards in ensemble performance.

We have a thriving, committed KS2 choir who perform and compete locally and perform annually as part of the world's largest choir, 'Young Voices' at the O2 Arena.

We also have a wonderful outdoor music area featuring chimes, xylophone and a range of drums where children can explore and create music both at break and lunch times and with their peers in class.

 It is hoped that our children will develop both a love and enjoyment of music along with an awareness of how music can impact on and improve their lives.