Music

Our aim is that all children:

• are inspired to develop a love of music and to develop their innate talents as musicians, engaging with music and seeing themselves as musicians in their own right.
• learn how to sing and how to play musical instruments in solo and ensemble contexts, especially the recorder in Year 3 and steel pans in Year 5.  Peripatetic teachers from BYMT (Bromley Youth Music Trust) also offer an extensive range of instrumental lessons.
• perform to an audience, including year group concerts and shows, Christmas performances, music assemblies and concerts to the wider community such as to Beckenham Social Club for the Blind.
• have the opportunity to join a music club, such as one of the school choirs, the elite steel pan band or the accordion group.
• make progress in the key areas of composing, listening and appraising, through experiencing a wide range of music from different genres, eras and cultures and through a variety of lesson styles and activities. Pupils in KS2 will develop an understanding of the history of music. Children understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
• develop life skills and values through music, especially creativity, self-confidence, concentration, teamwork, listening skills and respect.

The music curriculum is designed to suit the children of Balgowan, taking into account their starting points, interests and class work and building upon this year on year. We follow the National Curriculum using Kodaly and Dalcroze methodology and have a strong focus on group work and skills.  Music at Balgowan is well resourced and led by a Music Specialist with the help of class teachers. ​