Music is multi functional and multi dimensional encompassing; sound, beat, texture, tone, melody, vibration, composition, performance, therapy, group performance, solo performance and relationships between sound, beat and culture.
Music can provide enjoyment both to participants and to an audience. It can be interactive or it can be a language all on its own. It is used to develop and enhance as well as enable and bring enjoyment and encourage the art of working together as a team.
The skills involved are essentially listening, motor skills, voice production, self discipline, turn taking, following instructions, observation and listening to the leader.
Communication, problem solving, literacy, cross curricular studies, numeracy, literature, drama, PSHE and citizenship are all elements contained within music.
Music is not a core subject of the National Curriculum but it is becoming more and more a key factor in education because it links body, mind and spirit and it taps into many areas of the curriculum such as Maths, History, Science, English and Sports.
It is an enabling subject which means that no individual can fail. At St Joseph’s music has become a very important part of the ethos and spirit with excellence as a standard across the departments.
Music represents all kinds of elements to the students and students at St Joseph’s from simply working together and developing listening and focusing skills to improving performance on a variety of instruments.
Music starts in Key Stage 2/3. It links with the National Curriculum and is thematic. Music is also used therapeutically to create a dimension that aspires to help the whole person.
In Key Stages 4 & 5 music encompasses dance, singing, drama, voice skills, orchestral skills and performance skills.
St Joseph’s has recently developed links with Cranleigh School where we use their studio and Cranleigh Arts Centre which has an auditorium for performance including acoustics and video backdrop.
At the annual Presentation Evening, parents and Governors have seen whole school performances incorporating singing, jazz music, a variety of solo instruments, orchestral work and dramatic use of the voice.
Music is an integral part of the bi-annual Arts Week. Together with the rest of the Arts Department the students have explored a variety of historical, legendary and cultural themes.
Music plays a big role at St Joseph’s because of its Catholic traditions. Music has formed the basis of religious worship at the school for many years. Two recent developments have been to encourage staff across all disciplines who have musical skills, to take part and also the introduction of liturgical dance.