Getting creative with music compositions

8th February 2019 | Key Stage 2

In their Music lessons this term, many of our pupils have enjoyed composing their own music: Year 4 have been putting together African drumming pieces, Year 5 have been writing jingles to advertise self-designed products, and Year 6 have been using trial and error to improvise over the Twelve-bar blues.

With increasing competition in today’s industries, developing pupils' ability to be creative and to collaborate with peers is essential in preparing them for the future. The boys learn how to share and develop ideas, take risks, try things in different ways and reflect on their success, making simple patterns and harnessing the elements of music to convey their feelings.

Composing is a very different skill to being able to perform the music of others and Year 6 have really enjoyed the freedom of being able to create; especially pertinent as they have learnt the contextual history of the Blues, starting from the times of the oppression of African slaves in America.

A few boys have also begun a Composing Club on Thursday lunchtimes, using their well-developed theory skills to complete composing tasks and activities, as well as writing for their own instruments within a larger ensemble. We hope to showcase some of their work in the Summer term.