Music

Introduction

In music, children learn about musical expression and communication.

They should be taught about:

• Expressing emotions and experiences in images

• Developing creativity and imagination

• Performing by singing and playing instruments

• Musical composition

• Appreciating, respecting and enjoying musical compositions and performances

• The work of musicians from different cultures, including those represented in the host country

• Functions of music in people’s lives now and in the past

The knowledge, skills and understanding which children gain through their study of music can be regarded in terms of:

• Enquiry

• Performance

• Composition

• Listening

• Interpretation

• Evaluation

• Communication

THE LEARNING GOALS

Milepost 1

By the end of the school year in which they are 7, the vast majority of children will:

1.1 Know a number of songs

1.2 Know a number of other pieces of music

1.3 Know how a number of musicians – including some from their home country and the host country – use musical elements to create different effects and for different purposes

1.4 Be able to recognise and explore ways in which sounds can be made, changed and organised

1.5 Be able to sing familiar songs

1.6 Be able to play simple rhythms with a steady beat

1.7 Be able to compose simple musical patterns

1.8 Be able to perform individually and with others

1.9 Be able to use symbols to represent sounds

1.10 Be able to listen carefully to pieces of music and comment on them

1.11 Be able to recall a simple tune

1.12 Be able to suggest ways of improving their own work

1.13 Understand that musical elements can be used to create different effects

1.14 Understand that music is used for a variety of different purposes

Milepost 2

By the end of the school year in which they are 9, the vast majority of children will:

2.1 Know how a number of musicians – including some from their home country and the host country – organise sounds and use them expressively

2.2 Know how a number of musicians – including some from their home country and the host country – choose sounds and instruments which are appropriate for their task

2.3 Be able to recognise and explore the ways that sounds can be organised and used expressively

2.4 Be able to sing in tune and with expression

2.5 Be able to perform simple pieces rhythmically using a limited range of notes

2.6 Be able to improvise repeated patterns

2.7 Be able to compose simple pieces to create intended effects

2.8 Be able to choose sounds and instruments which are appropriate for their task

2.9 Be able to improve their own work, having regard to the intended effect

2.10 Be able to explain their own work in terms of what they have done and why

2.11 Be able to talk about pieces of music, giving reasons for their opinions

2.12 Be able to recognise and identify familiar pieces of music including some from the host country

2.13 Understand how musical elements are combined and varied to create different effects

Milepost 3

By the end of the school year in which they are 12, the vast majority of children will:

3.1 Know that the study of music is concerned with musical expression and communication

3.2 Know how a number of musicians – including some from their home country and the host country – combine musical elements within a structure

3.3 Be able to sing songs in unison and in two parts

3.4 Be able to play tuned and untuned instruments with control and rhythmical accuracy

3.5 Be able to perform as part of an ensemble

3.6 Be able to perform with an awareness of audience

3.7 Be able to compose musical pieces combining musical elements within a structure

3.8 Be able to improve their own work having regard to purpose

3.9 Be able to listen attentively with attention to detail

3.10 Be able to make judgements about pieces of music, showing understanding, appreciation, respect and enjoyment as appropriate

3.11 Be able to consider pieces of music in terms of meaning, mood, structure, place and time

3.12 Understand that musicians use music to express emotions and experiences

3.13 Understand that the work of musicians is influenced by their environment

© COPYRIGHT IPC 2002

Not to be reproduced without permission