Music

At St Gabriel’s we appreciate the value and impact of music, dancing and art. We have some very talented pupils as well as staff and realise that these more expressive subjects truly enhance the learning of our pupils and enrich the curriculum as a whole.

This year we will be extending our music provision at St Gabriel’s, making links with geography, maths, science and English.

From September to December, Nursery and reception will enjoy learning traditional tales through rhyme and song and have the opportunity to perform what they have learned in front of their families! Year 1 pupils will take part in this venture in December. West end watch this space…

In July this year, we experienced a fantastic afternoon of drumming using traditional African drums called djembes. This was so exhilarating, uplifting and worthwhile that we are offering our Year 3 and 5 pupils a full drumming course in the Autumn term. Again, we will finish with a fantastic performance.

In the Summer Term of Year 4 will be taking a course in playing the recorder. Again, there will
be a performance at the end of the course (ear plugs optional).

All pupils will receive weekly lessons using the ‘Charanga’ programme from Tees Valley Music Service, which offers a comprehensive and exciting range of experiences and allows pupils to explore a variety of sounds, instruments, periods of music as well as learning some theory and history of music.

Mr Terry and Miss Bell will continue to lead liturgical music within the school but are inviting pupils with musical ability to join them. The vision is that a group will be able to plan and lead the music during liturgies and masses.

A choir will also be up and running this year. We will be using ‘Sing Up!’ as a basis and will be inviting pupils from year 3 onwards to join us after school on Fridays 3pm – 4pm.