How we build champion musicians:

A Champion Musician at Blackhorse can confidently and creatively use pitch, rhythm and dynamics to create, practise and perform musical compositions, either by themselves or in a group.  They know how to produce the best performances by listening to directions and to other performers in the group. 

Our 'Learning Ingredients' in Music:

Extensive Opportunties: The school provides the opportunity for every child to learn how to play the recorder in KS2, with lessons in Years 3-4 taught by a volunteer peripetetic music teacher who can provide expert tuition. The school also ensures that all children experience a professional classical music concert at least twice in KS2.

In addition to this, the school provides extra-curricular opportunities for children who wish to further develop their love of music. The choir perform annually at the Thornbury Eisteddfod , as well as performing at The Beacon  – an inspirational professional music venue complete with live band – as part of the Leaf School’s Choir Concert each June. 

The school offers a wide range of small group and individual peripatetic music lessons including guitar, keyboard, drums, violin and flute. Please see the school office form more information. 

Expert tuition: Our Music Leader, Steph Phillips, is a multi-instrumentalist and performing orchestra musician, providing guidance and support to less confident staff.

The staff who run the Musical Theatre Club all have experience in creating high-quality performances. They are supported each week by ex-pupils who return to mentor the club members and provide additional coaching.

As not all staff members will be experienced music teachers, the school uses the Music Express scheme of work (see below) to ensure that the fortnightly music lessons are well-planned and of high quality.

Purposeful Practice: By allowing all children the opportunity to learn how to master the recorder across KS2, they are able to practice the skills which have been taught over an extended period of time. The Get set for Music scheme of work also provides the opportunities for all children to practice, refine and develop musical skills across the entire National Curriculum for Music. 

The school’s Musical Theatre Club rehearses for 7 months, after school and at weekends, in preparation for their annual performance each March. The choir practice for 5 months in preparation for their concert at St George's, again after school and at lunchtimes. Children at Blackhorse learn that to become a champion musician, you must practice!

Personal Effort: All children learn that mastering a musical instrument requires patience, practice and effort, over weeks, months and years. By providing opportunities for children to perform, they get to both see the impact of this effort on the performances of their older peers, and are encouraged to persevere themselves.