Last term in Music, the children developed their skills in bucket drumming.
Years 1-2 focused on holding a steady beat and playing simple rhythms using crotchets and quavers. Meanwhile, children in Years 3 to 6 explored more complex rhythmic patterns, performing along to well-known songs. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and progress. Who knows - some of them may even go on to become professional drummers in the future!
On Thursday, 26th June, the Mead Singers proudly represented our school at the Havering Music Festival. This year, the children performed a vibrant collection of songs from the 80s and 90s. Our singers especially impressed the audience with their rendition of the iconic track "Never Ending Story" by Limahl. Their energy and passion truly brought the music to life, making the performance memorable for everyone.
Huge congratulations to Sidrah, who passed the Grade 1 Piano Exam with Merit. Your hard work and resilience paid off.
Huge congratulations to Olivia, who passed the Grade 2 Piano Exam with a Merit. Olivia worked very hard and completed the Grade 2 course in just 5 months. We are very proud of her achievement.
Huge congratulations to Victoria, who passed the Grade 1 Piano Exam on Friday and was awarded a Merit. Well done Victoria, for your hard work and dedication.
Year 6 children finished a unit about Jazz music. This Unit of Work builds on the improvisation skills learnt in Classroom Jazz 1. Using two new pieces, Bacharach Anorak and Meet The Blues, the pupils learned to play the pieces and then explored improvising with the repertoire.
This week, Year 3 students learned about military bands. We began the lesson by discussing the history and significance of military bands. The children learned how these bands have played a vital role in military ceremonies and parades, uplifting the spirits of soldiers and civilians alike with their rousing music. Through interactive presentations, the students discovered the various components of a military band and the roles each instrument plays in creating the powerful, harmonious sound that can stir the soul. Then, the children had the opportunity to transform the classroom into a makeshift band. With a selection of percussion instruments, they played along to a recording of a famous military march. The rhythm filled the room as our young musicians kept in time with the march, experiencing the unity and coordination that playing in a band requires.
This hands-on experience not only enriched their understanding of music but also allowed them to appreciate the cultural and historical significance of military bands in a tangible and memorable way.
Last month, the minds of Year 1 embarked on a rhythmic adventure that intertwined movement, percussion, and the timeless beauty of classical music. Using the innovative Bati Strauss method, the children were introduced to the intricate structures of music composition through a form of 'active listening'.
The Bati Strauss method is a gateway that allows young learners to explore classical masterpieces in a way that is both engaging and educational. It invites the children to express what they hear through expressive gestures and the playful rhythm of percussion instruments. This multisensory approach not only deepens their understanding of music but also enhances their motor skills and coordination.
The classroom was alive with excitement as the children experienced ‘La Basque’, a piece that emanates the grandeur and elegance of the Baroque period. The music, characterised by its harmonic richness and emotional depth, served as the backdrop for a delightful story about little spiders spinning their webs. Each note of ‘La Basque’ seemed to mirror the spiders’ intricate movements, inspiring the young listeners to sway and move in harmony with the music.
Through the form of storytelling, the music was transformed into a vivid narrative that captured the children's imagination. They were no longer just listeners but active participants in the creation of a musical story.
Huge congratulations to Sebastian, who was awarded a Distinction for the Grade 2 Piano Exam. Sebastian put lots of work and effort into his piano practice and completed the learning in just five months. Good luck to him on the next level of his musical journey.
Huge congratulations to Zuzanna, who passed the Grade 4 Piano exam on Tuesday. Zuzanna is the first student at Mead moving to Grade 5 Piano (equivalent to GCSE standard). We are very proud of Zuzanna and wish her all the best for the future.
Listen to Sebastian playing beautifully ''Sparking splashes and smooth water'' from the Grade 2 Piano Syllabus.
Listen to Olivia playing'' Spooky Wood Hollow.'' Currently, Olivia is working towards the Grade 2 Piano exam.
Year 5 children have been working on ‘’Three Little Birds’’ by Bob Marley. The children learned many interesting facts about the Jamaican singer and listened to some of his iconic songs. They composed an instrumental part to ‘’Three Little Birds’’ and performed it with a backing track.
This term, Year 3 children are developing their skills on the Djembe drum. So far, they have practised cyclic patterns based on three sounds, sung an African song ‘’Funga Alafia’’ and played an instrumental arrangement to the song.
Year 6 children have been working on a song called ’’STOP’’. This is a rap about bullying composed in the style of Grime music.
We held a discussion about bullying and being bullied and had a brainstorming session to list words and phrases on the subject. Then in groups, we created a rap and performed it with a backing track.
Look at the examples of our work.
Year 1 children have been learning about African music. They explored an African drum called a Djembe and can name its parts. They enjoyed playing rhythmic patterns based on two sounds and sang an African song called ‘’Zimbole’’.
Well done to Olivia from Italy class for taking her first piano exam. Olivia passed the exam and was awarded a Merit. We are very proud of your hard work and dedication.
Children in year 3 have been learning about tempo in music.
They listened to two pieces, Trish-Trash Polka and The Dying Swan and had to describe the interrelated dimensions of music such as melody, rhythm, tempo and dynamics. They also looked at the similarities and differences between them. They learned that tempo markings are named after Italian words and everywhere in the world musicians use Italian terms.
The children enjoyed moving to the music of Trish-Trash Polka.
Year 5 enjoyed playing boom whackers. Watch Brazil class performing ‘’Rolling in the Deep’’ by Adele.
