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Potter class music
Reception developed their listening and composing skills this week. They were listening to pitch to decide if to stand up or sit down, and listening to the timbre of each other's voices to guess who had the "bone" in a game.
Then they worked together to compose a soundscape for the story "Duck in a Truck". Each character had a different musical sound. We call this a character's motif.
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Gospel Choir concert
A few children were lucky enough to be able to sing with the Cambridge Gospel Choir when they came to Chrishall Church during half term. It was an amazing experience.
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Young Voices Concert
We had a fantastic time joining 8550 other children at the London O2 for a Young Voices concert.
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Practise makes permanent!
So that we can play along to our Bollywood soundtrack, we have been practising our glockenspiels. The year 3 and year 4 children have different parts, so that when they play together they make a harmony. Individual practice is important to refine our performance skills.
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Bollywood comes to Lowry!
This term Class Lowry will be continuing their whole class instrumental learning to play the Glockenspiel, this time with a Bollywood twist. In their introductory lesson, the children learnt about Bollywood movies, and learnt some dance moves to get used to the style of music.
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Choir Tab
Check out the new choir tab on the Music page of DBPrimary Chrishall; here are all the resources the choir members will need to help them learn the songs for the O2.
Find all the songs in this playlist on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/1MrGxAUWIWd9ZRXelWwT9D?si=pRPcNgPcRkSMXXJKI78EFQ
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Coach singing
Great Singing of the National Anthem on coachtrip back from the Cricket tournament on Thursday Lowry! You sang beautifully in tune and in unison, well done
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Class performer
As a reward for a brilliant music lesson, refining and performing their "Train Journey" compositions we were treated to a performance of "Oh When the Saints" from Harry on his trumpet. It was lovely to hear a superb live performance, thank you Harry!
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Accelerando!
Class Lowry are exploring music which gives a soundscape of a train journey. This week they were learning about an accelerando - where music gets faster. Each group chose some train-related sounds to create their accelerando, using a woodblock to maintain the beat.
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O-generator
Having learnt that the composer of the Dr Who theme music was a trailblazer for electronic music, Class Newton set about exploring composing their own music using the O-generator software. It was fascinating to listen to each other's compositions.
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Extra-curricular music
Ayla has been inspired to extend her musical learning at home. She made a lovely guitar, and was also keen to share the song she has composed with me too. Well done Ayla!
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Red Bird
It was lovely to hear Class Nightingale singing the song Red Bird (that they learnt from the folk duo Megson) in their sharing assembly, and the whole school enjoyed joining in with it. A real earworm!!
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C Jam Blues
Here is a link to Newton's version of C Jam Blues which they performed in their sharing assembly last week.
https://vimeo.com/645284041
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Megson
Reception and KS1 had a treat on Tuesday - the folk duo Megson visited school to give them a special performance of their Family Folk Show! It was great that Pre-school were also able to join them. Children and staff really enjoyed the show - this is a link to one of the songs they sang which the children learnt actions to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqimmbUxZ0k .
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Spontaneous Performance!
It was lovely to have a spontaneous performance from Margaux in our music lesson today. She played beautifully and confidently, and was extra-happy when she realised that she could tick off one of her Conqueroring Chrishalls challenges too!
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Harvest Festival
The whole school enjoyed singing at the Harvest Festival, and Class Newton did a great job accompanying the Harvest Samba on guitars and percussion. It was also lovely to hear the Choir singing Seeds of Friendship, and a particular Well Done goes to the soloists.
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Lowry hard at work!
Today Lowry were building on the rhythm work we did last week to start composing their Tudor Fanfares. They used chime bars to help them work out the pitches, and were limited to 3 notes, just like a Tudor Fanfare played on a trumpet would have been. We saw excellent co-operation between learning partners, and respectful use of the instruments.
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School Concert
Congratulations to all the children who worked so hard and performed so beautifully at the virtual school concert this week. The concert can be viewed here:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/566639100/dc012c2d63
A huge thanks goes to Mrs Barr and her daughter for all the work they did to make this happen.
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The Biggest SIng
Chrishall Primary School joined together with many other schools to take part in a record breaking attempt as part of the Biggest Sing organised. Key Stage 2 had practised in their separate bubbles, learning a tricky version of Lovely Day. This afternoon, we joined, via Zoom, with over 360,000 other pupils in the UK and across the world to sing together for this special event. You can watch us in action here: https://vimeo.com/563307847/1f9ade427a and find out more about Young Voices and the charity they are supporting here: https://www.youngvoices.co.uk/.
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Musical Mountain Compositions
In music we are exploring composition using both "real" instruments and technology. Children are taking turns to use "O-Generator" on the ipads and work in small groups with instruments to create compositions which reflect a mountain-scape. They have been thinking about the elements such as pitch, volume and structure and how these can help the listener understand the story behind the music.
We have also been reheasing and refining our version of "Hall of the Mountain King" from the Peer Gynt Suite by Edward Grieg. Here we are in action: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/569348585/00b8a44e50
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Dangerous Music in Lowry
Linking with their learning about Romans, this term Class Lowry have been listening to the musical soundtrack to scenes from the film Gladiator and finding out how music can "paint a picture" or set a mood.
Today they set about composing their own music to give a sense of danger. Together we looked at tempo, dynamics, rhythms, note duration and "clashes" and then each group used these to good effect to create an atmosphere in their compositions. I was really impressed with both their compositions and also their teamwork - Well done Lowry!.
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Easter Connections
Newton Class have been looking at songs that have a connection to Easter, and performing ostinato accompaniments to refine their performance skills, playing exact rhythms in unison and using tuned percussion instruments with precision to produce the best tone. They have been playing along to 'Praise You' by Fatboy Slim and 'Happy Easter' sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and had a good discussion about how songs written in different decades sound different and why.
Click on the link to watch a clip of the children performing ...
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Lowry's musical instruments
As Lowry have been looking at Science and Inventions this half term, we investigated how different musical instruments make their sounds. We looked at different instruments of the orchestra, and Alice, Cameron and Margaux kindly played their instruments to show us how they work. Then we set about designing and making our own instruments.
Our instruments had to be able to play more than one pitch, and belong to either the string, percussion or wind instrument families.
We then composed some music together, and decided which instruments sounded best playing at the same time by considering their timbre.
Mia found that by putting tubs inside her instrument it made it much louder - great thinking Mia!
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Chrishall Church organ
As part of our music lessons in Lowry we have been looking at different instruments from Anglo-Saxon times and comparing them to modern equivalents. We took a trip down to the village church where Jon Wayper and his wife Liz kindly showed us how the church organ worked - today, and in the days before electricity. Liz then played us some different tunes to demonstrate the different sounds the organ can make, while Jon helped by pressing the foot pedals. Lowry spontaneously joined in singing when she started playing "All Things Bright And Beautiful", as they had learnt it for the Harvest celebrations last week. It was interesting to learn about an instrument that we don't find in school, although Cameron did realise that the way it works is similar to how his cornet works. We are very grateful to Jon and Liz for giving up their time to show us the Church Organ.
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Rhythmwork in Lowry
Lowry class enjoyed composing rhythm patterns on percussion instruments. After using standard notation to record it, they then combined their rhythm with that of their learning partner, and played the two rhythms together. They worked hard to keep their part against the other, and it was lovely to see how they improved over the lessons.
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Class Newton's Musical Menagerie
During Home Learning Class Newton have been listening to Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens as inspiration to compose their own music. I was very impressed by the quality of the work they produced, and we put them together to make Class Newton's Musical Menagerie comprising of;
Squirrel by Barney, The Cricket by Ewan, Swan Rain Dance by Hetty, Chameleon by Josh, Cow by Lucinda, Flight of the Butterfly by Izzy, ELephant by Adam, and Seagulls by Lorna
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Gospel Choir Report by JH
On Sunday the 8th of March, the school choir sang in Chrishall church with the Cambridge Gospel Choir. It was an exciting afternoon, but unfortunately we couldn't have a rehearsal because the gospel choir were late. Hundreds were there, including : Alison, Mrs Crooks, Mrs Dyer, Reverand Arnand and many others. We had a great time and the afternoon tea was delicious. Only six of our choir were there : Josh, Tilly, Hermione, Alice, Libby and Grace. Thank you for the supporters, the school choir and the gospel choir for helping set up. I hope if you were there you enjoyed it and felt moved by the music.
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A Song a Day!
Please click on this link to access a song for every day of the week, and details of related activities that you might want to do at home. Many of these songs children will know as we have sung them in school assemblies.
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Gospel Choir!
A few members of choir came along to Chrishall Church on Sunday to join in the Praise Concert. They had the opportunity to sing a song with the Cambridge University Gospel Choir. See below for a report written by Josh.
On Sunday the 8th of March, the school choir sang in Chrishall church with the Cambridge Gospel Choir. It was an exciting afternoon, but unfortunately we couldn't have a rehearsal because the gospel choir were late. Hundreds were there, including : Alison, Mrs Crooks, Mrs Dyer, Reverand Arnand and many others. We had a great time and the afternoon tea was delicious. Only six of our choir were there : Josh, Tilly, Hermione, Alice, Libby and Grace. Thank you for the supporters, the school choir and the gospel choir for helping set up. I hope if you were there you enjoyed it and felt moved by the music.
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Young Voices 2020!
We had a fantastic day at The O2 Arena, taking part in the Young Voices concert last week. We joined with schools from all over the South East to form a choir of 8244 children (plus a few teachers too!), to perform the songs we have been learning over the past 6 months to a huge audience of parents. It was amazing to sing alongside professional singers and we also enjoyed the street dancing from Urban Strides. Here are a few photos from the day.
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Composing in the style of Mayan music
Class Newton have developed their skills in composing this term. They have been listening to and appraising mayan music before composing their own version. They have showed control in playing a range of instruments including the recorder and flute, as well as making choices of other instruments based on their timbre. Each group worked on the structure of their composition and the results were very pleasing.
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Friday 10th January
......a photo of our impromptu African drumming workshop which we took part in this afternoon. It was a lot of fun.
(An extract from Potter's blog)
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Lowry's amazing Drumming performance
Lowry performed their African Drumming composition in today's assembly. We were all amazed by their concentration and ability to remember such a complex piece, and also impressed that every child showed the confidence to have a turn at a mini-solo.
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Catching up with Christmas
The end of last term was fully of excitements and festivity. The children has been using their musical skills honed over the term to play together as a orchestra to accompany the singing during the Carol Concert. The picture below shows the final rehearsal in full swing, with Mrs Crooks as conductor.
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Friday 10th January
Nightingale Class enjoyed the African Drumming workshop with Dan today.
They all listened really well and managed to copy the rhythms and beat really well. They all thought up African animals then considered rhythms that would suit each one and then together we composed a short piece of music.
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Carol singing
The choir have had a busy couple of days, singing at the School Carol Service and at the Great Chishill Christmas Tree festival. I have been impressed with the way the children have learnt all the words of their songs, and how they have worked to improve their ensemble and diction. Well done Choir!
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Harvest Festival
The choir are rehearsing hard to learn the songs for their trip to the O2 in February for the Young Voices concert. They shared one of their songs, Ode to Joy, at the harvest festival.
The orchestra have been working on their performance skills, and accompanied one of the hymns at the service, well done to all the children for performing so confidently.
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Mrs Barr's Annual Concert
Mrs Barr was very proud of all the children who played beautifully in her concert. Well done everyone (and good luck to those taking grade exams tomorrow!)
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Mountain Music Compositions
Class Newton have been listening to some mountain-inspired music, and noticed that the music often gets higher, faster and louder to give the impression of going up a mountain. In groups they have been composing their own mountain music, including the same elements, which we recorded on Friday.
Great teamwork with some great results Class Newton!
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BBC music day
The whole school joined in with BBC Music day, participating in a singing event via the internet. It was lovely to see the concentration and enthusiasm from children right across the school.
