Music at LDSM

Music is valued as a key part of every child’s education at LDSM. As summarised by the Department for Education, “Learning about music and having the opportunity to play musical instruments and make music together is a vital part of a rich and rounded education. Music plays a key role in brain development. It helps to develop language, motor skills, emotional intelligence and collaboration skills.”. It is well-recognised that music can help to develop the skills, attitudes and attributes that can support learning in all  National Curriculum subjects; This includes, but is not limited to, listening skills, extended concentration, creativity, literacy, analysis techniques, self-evaluation skills, resilience, communication, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others.

Classroom Music at LDSM

At LDSM, Music lessons provide all children with the opportunity to develop their performing, composing and listening and appraising skills, through a varied range of musical stimuli. Each term is centered around a learning topic and, by using this as an educational  stimulus, pupils learn about music from different areas of the world and throughout music history whilst developing a growing understanding of the elements of music and the role they play in various musical contexts. Varied styles of formative assessment enable individuals to understand where they are at, and what they need to do to improve, at all stages of their learning. Summative assessment takes part every half term.

All students have plentiful opportunities to perform a range of musical styles - of both a vocal and instrumental nature, in ensemble and solo contexts - with increasing accuracy, musical control, fluency, expression and confidence. 

A composition project each term ensures that students continue to develop their understanding of creating, organising, developing and manipulating musical ideas, and musical improvisation, all within a variety of musical structures. With a growing understanding of musical literacy, including graphic and musical notation, pupils can record their work. In addition to sharing compositions in a classroom context, all students have the opportunity to perform their compositions to the wider school community as part of their project outcomes. 

Music lessons will expose all students to a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music drawn from different traditions and periods of music history. Through their growing understanding of the elements of music, pupils will draw on their developing listening and appraising skills to be able to describe in increasing detail what they can hear and how the music has been organised. Pupils will learn how to evaluate musical compositions and performances of both their own and their peers.

Collective worship is held every day where children enjoy singing a varied repertoire of both traditional and modern hymns. Weekly hymn practice develops an enjoyment for collective singing, whilst developing musical confidence and vocal control. 

Extra Curricular Music Groups

LDSM is proud of the variety of free music groups it offers to all of its pupils. A thriving orchestra, choir and ukulele band meet each week, covering a wide range of music in a variety of styles. 

The students have plentiful concert opportunities throughout the year, ranging from school concerts to termly church services and performances to the local community.

Shown above: The school orchestra, ukulele band and choir

Music in the Wider Community

Each year, pupils are provided with a wealth of opportunities to perform in the wider community. These include The Elmbridge Festival, Long Ditton events such as the Christmas lights switch on, performances to pupils at Long Ditton Infants School and local elderly residents, termly performances at St Mary’s Church and music workshops with local schools.