Music at Caldecott Primary School

Caldecott School has a very rich musical tradition which is a great strength for the children, particularly in times when not all state school are offering such opportunities. It has been a real joy to introduce singing and music to our curriculum within our classrooms once more following the easing of Covid restrictions. Most recently, our school participated in ‘Music Flood Week’ that was kindly provided by Radley College. This enabled the children to get to know a range of different instruments including brass, strings and piano. In Key Stage 2, our classes participated in music workshops ranging from singing to beatboxing.

Key Stage 1 Music

Traditionally, there are many musical events to look forward to in KS1. These include a yearly nativity play in December that is performed by Years 1 and 2. Our last nativity was Lights, Camel, Action which was based around a Strictly-style dance competition.  All children learnt a range of songs for the performance and Year 2 took the acting and dancing parts, including a number of lovely vocal solos. The production was a great success and all the children showed real enthusiasm.

Year groups often present a Fab Finish at the end of term. One such highlight was in Year 1 where the children presented a fantastic Fab Finish to parents based around their Ghana topic.  In colourful Ghanaian colours, they showed off their wonderful singing and the African drumming skills that they had learnt. 

In Year 2, recent Fab Finishes have included a performance to parents based around their Buckets and Spade topic. The children sang seaside-themed songs about pirates and the commotion in the ocean, linking to work on the environment. They choreographed group dances to the music of Saint-Saëns's Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals.  

Key Stage 2 Music

Year 3

Continuing our commitment to introducing all children to playing an instrument, Y3s in Owls and Falcons classes each have three terms of free taster lessons in playing the violin. Any parent or carer of a Y4 pupil who would like to continue learning violin this year should register their interest on the OCMS website.

Year 4 Blues and Roots Concert Trip

In September 2021, Year 4 had a wonderful time watching The Blues and Roots Ensemble at Radley College. They listened to the band perform using many wonderful instruments including a French horn, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and a beautiful Steinway piano. For many of us, it was the first time we had seen a live music performance which was very exciting! If you would like to know more about the band we watched and to listen to their music, please visit: https://www.bluesandrootsensemble.com/

Forthcoming Events

We are in talks with the team who organise NAPE Oxon’s Festival of Voices. This takes place at Dorchester Abbey each summer and we hope to participate in 2023. This event will provide a wonderful opportunity to develop our school choir and perform with other schools. Watch this space for further details!

Instrumental lessons

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument, tuition is offered by visiting Oxfordshire music service teachers during the school day. Not all instrument tuition is available in every school but you can see which are offered in our school during their online application process. Instruments include violin, viola or cello and it is possible to hire them. For more details or to register, please visit:

https://ukoxfordshire.speedadmin.dk/registration#/

Individual or group tuition can be booked, depending on what suits your child best.

Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for free music lessons, instrument hire and ensemble membership in Oxfordshire.

If you are interested in your child taking up an instrument and don't know where to start, then please contact Mrs Crask via the school office email.  Playing an instrument is a fantastic life skill, fosters group-working and is hugely enjoyable.