Music
Subject Co-ordinator: P. Adamson
We are very pleased with the enthusiasm and ability our pupils have in music. They get lots of opportunities in and out of lessons to make music together on a variety of instruments and in different styles. Everyone is encouraged to make a contribution in some way, they are proud of their achievements and enjoy their practically based lessons.
Music in Seahouses Middle School PDF
Year 7
Year 7 Playschool Songs
In recent music lessons, some of year 7 have been looking at the effect of music on very young children. They realised that singing playschool songs together is not only an enjoyable experience, but one which helps them to be sociable with other children, teaches them co-ordination when they include actions, helps them experiment with controlling their voices and can also teach them things like counting, letters of the alphabet, animal noises and so on.
After studying a range of songs and learning how to teach them to little ones in the toddler group which comes to school on Monday mornings, the pupils set about composing their own songs, teaching them to reception and year 1 from Embleton First School and producing a booklet of their songs for mums to take home and use with their children.
You can watch a short video of some of their work.
Music Assembly – “Belief in ourselves”
On the last day of half term, years 5, 6 and 7 all performed on instruments the pieces they had been learning to play in their music lessons. Every person in each class found a way of contributing to their class’s performance – some found it harder than others, some could play more difficult parts, but everyone had to work together and help each other, suggesting ways that they could improve as a class.
It was a good opportunity to show other pupils in school what they could do and also to listen to and appreciate what other classes are capable of.
As pupils came into the hall our school band played “Happy Ending” by Mika, followed by year 5 who played “Clocks” by Coldplay. They have made excellent progress this year and play on a variety of instruments, everyone knowing what to play and how to make the best sound out of their instruments.
Year 6 then performed Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, voted the most relaxing piece of music ever because the harmonies make you feel peaceful and calm and the speed slows down your heartbeat and relaxes you. In the music you can hear a simple part being played on some instruments, then other parts are gradually added until there are 7 different tunes being played which go together. Lots of other people have used this chord sequence and year 6 put together a performance of Canon in D followed by “Altogether Now” by a 1970’s group called The Farm.
In year 7’s music lessons we have been listening to pieces of music which have different sections, like intros, verses, choruses, bridges and outros. Chord sequences don’t always stay the same so we have to recognise different sections and know when to change the chords according to what the tune is doing. That means we have to develop a good memory and think carefully – our brains are active all the time and we need to concentrate. To give a good performance we have to work really well as a group, not just individuals. “All the small things” by Blink 182 and “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz show this.
Band consists of some very talented musicians in school and they performed the theme from James Bond, followed by “All the small things”. Watch out for them at the Seahouses Festival on Sunday 21st June.
