Music is taught at least once a week to all pupils from Nursery to Year 6.

 

In the Foundation Stage the emphasis is on singing. All Nursery Assistants lead sessions of singing games using actions to promote co-ordination skills. Classroom percussion instruments are also used to accompany the singing. Singing is often unaccompanied or carried out using lively backing tapes.

 

In Pre-School and Reception, pupils follow a scheme aimed at Foundation Stage pupils which introduces skills involved in music making. They sing regularly and use instruments not only to accompany themselves but also to compose short pieces. Singing is now accompanied by the piano and the repertoire of songs is added to on a regular basis.

 

In Year 1 music lessons are taken by the Form Teachers. A scheme aimed at KS1 pupils is used as a starting point for most lessons. Percussion instruments are used regularly and pupils are encouraged to develop their ideas in their own compositions. Graphic notation is introduced so that pupils can notate their own compositions and perform them later. Songs are accompanied by dance which is often created by the pupils themselves.

 

Year 2 pupils are taught by a specialist music teacher. They are introduced to the descant recorder and learn to play new tunes, usually by ear in the first instance. There remains an emphasis on singing and all pupils are encouraged to develop their sense of pitch. Traditional rhythmic staff notation is introduced at the beginning of the year and boys begin to understand the concept of rhythm using rhythm boxes. They compose their own rhythms and perform them in groups and individually. Pitch notation for the recorder is introduced when the boys are ready.

 

Pupils in Foundation Stage and Year 1 attend a weekly singing session led by a specialist singing teacher. In these sessions they learn songs for assemblies as well as for the two main concerts they perform in each year. Pupils enjoy singing on their own in front of their peers and gain confidence from the feedback they receive.

  

All music lessons in Key Stage 2 are taken by specialist music teachers. Boys in Years 3 and 4 continue to learn the descant recorder. They read notation using the Red Hot Recorder books which are supplemented with basic theory work. They compose rhythms and melodies which they perform individually and in groups. They also play a wide range of un-tuned classroom percussion instruments and compose pieces for them. They are introduced to pitched classroom percussion instruments and play pieces and compose melodies using them.

 

Singing is always encouraged and all boys in Years 2, 3 and 4 sing in the Junior Choir. By this point most boys have developed a secure sense of pitch and they all enjoy singing whether in groups or on their own. 

 

In Years 5 and 6, the year groups are divided into two groups – one half continuing with the descant recorder and the other starting the treble recorder. Boys are now confident with note reading and learn to play new tunes easily. Most have developed a substantial repertoire of pieces by the time they leave West House. Boys learn parts of ensemble pieces which they are able to perform together in concerts and assemblies.

 

All boys in Years 5 and 6 sing in the school choir. Singing opportunities include concerts, assemblies and termly services which are held at Birmingham Cathedral. Regular auditions are held at the school for entry into Birmingham Cathedral Choir. At present we have 10 boys singing at Birmingham Cathedral, which amounts to  half of their total choir.

 

All boys are encouraged to learn an orchestral instrument, usually from Year 2. Lessons are taught individually on a weekly basis for 30 minutes. Boys enjoy playing their instruments and often make good progress immediately due to the fact that they can already read music. Once they can play just a few notes they are invited to join on of the seven school bands which are run by specialist music teachers. The bands perform in assemblies and concerts. The bands are also used to rehearse pieces for Music Medal assessments. Boys in Years 5 and 6 can be invited to join the school orchestra which rehearses weekly.

 

Boys are encouraged to play their instruments in music assemblies which are held every week. All boys will play solos and in groups. Concerts are held every term and all boys in Years 3-6 will play their recorders, usually in massed recorder pieces for recorder ensemble involving sopranino, descant, treble and tenor recorders. 

 

Boys enjoy singing and all take part in performances in concerts and assemblies. Part singing is encouraged from Year 4, with younger boys taking the melody line. Boys are given the opportunity to play solo and ensemble pieces before, during and after the services held in Birmingham Cathedral. The school choirs sing during the services

 

Boys in Foundation Stage are assessed using the Foundation Stage Profile. Boys in Years 1-6 are assessed using the West House Assessment scheme. This involves informal assessments of singing, recorder playing, composing, aural skills and theoretical understanding. Badges are awarded at the end of each level which the boys wear on their blazers. Alternate levels also include the option to have a formal assessment in the form of an Associated Board Music Medal.

 

Boys learning to play orchestral instruments are entered for Music Medals, Associated Board or Trinity Guildhall grade exams when they reach a suitable standard. The boys enjoy taking these assessments as they show them how well they are progressing.

 

Boys in Year 6 are regularly entered for Music Scholarships to Secondary Schools.  Recent successes include award to King Edward's School, Bromsgrove School, Priory School, Solihull School and St George’s School.