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St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School

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Catholic Academy Trust
At St. Joseph’s we live, love and learn by the example of Jesus

At St. Joseph’s we live, love and learn by the example of Jesus

Music

At St. Joseph’s we believe a well-rounded musical education can contribute to musical excellence and much more besides.  We are very proud that our achievements to date have been recognised by Hertfordshire Music Service and that they have recommended us to receive a Music Mark Award.

 

Through our specially tailored Music Curriculum, we intend to inspire a life-long love of music and the curiosity to continue developing their musical skills and learning to the best of their ability. 

 

In curriculum music lessons children learn to play percussion instruments, including chime bars.  During Key Stage 2 children begin learning to play the ukulele.  Children learn to read musical notation and perform a wide range of melodies and also compose their own music.  If you scroll down, you can view a selection of recordings and video recordings from our lessons.  

 

We listen to and discuss works by the “Great” composers and others, including Florence Price, Fela Sowande, William Grant-Still and many more.  We want to inspire children to begin playing a musical instrument and compose their own music.  Maybe one day some of our students will work in the music industry. 

 

Our goal for Music education is that children are able to:

  • perform with confidence, using their voices and playing a variety of musical instruments.
  • develop their creativity through composition and improvisation activities.
  • appreciate music from many diverse countries and cultures.
  • move onto the next stage of their musical education with the relevant musical vocabulary, skills, knowledge and understanding.
  • evaluate work and performances and suggest possible improvements.
  • learn useful skills such as problem-solving, perseverance and team-work through musical activities.
  • gain an awareness of others, acceptance and tolerance of other people’s viewpoints or preferences.

 

We believe it is important for children to have as many meaningful musical experiences as possible, to enable them to find out which kinds of music they enjoy performing or listening to most.  Music can be used for enjoyment and relaxation and can contribute to good mental wellbeing.  We aim to give all children opportunities to fulfil and even exceed the curriculum expectations for music, regardless of their background, gender or SEND status. 

We are very proud to have recently been awarded Silver Artsmark accreditation by Arts Council England.  It is a testament to our hard work and the quality of our Music provision.

If your child is in Year 4, 5 or 6 and is not already learning a musical instrument in school, we have some spaces for Flute lessons.  If you would like more information or to register for lessons, you can follow the link below to sign up with Hertfordshire Music Service.  Lessons will take place within school hours, at school.

Learning an instrument is fun, and can teach many useful skills for life, such as perseverance, teamwork and problem solving and many, many more.

 

You can apply to have lessons by clicking on the blue "Sign up for music lessons and ensembles" tab and completing the form.

 

If you wish to have lessons on another instrument, it may be worth checking what is available at The Broxbourne Music Centre, also available by visiting the Hertfordshire Music Service website.

Year 5 composed music for the Mayan god Kukulkan.  He was said to have either two parts (yin and yang) or four parts (earth, air, fire and water).  Can you hear a different pattern for each part.

Y5 Kukulkan ostinato music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y5 Kukulkan ostinato music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y5 Kukulkan ostinato music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y5 Kukulkan ostinato music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y5 Kukulkan ostinato music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Year 4 also watched the saga about the Apples of Iduna and composed music for the gods as they grew first older, and then younger.  Can you hear how they used tempo to illustrate the changes.

Y4 Viking Iduna

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Iduna

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Iduna

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Year 4 learned about the viking Creation Myth and then chose one of the realms to compose music for.  Can you guess which of these performances are Jotenheim (land of frost and snow where the giants live); Midgard (Earth) or Azgard (shining city of the gods).

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Y4 Viking Creation Myth

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-07-17.

Year 3 have begun learning about harmony.  They learned to sing a round and then experimented with different note combinations on the chime bars.  Some amazing improvisations boys and girls!  Here are just a few.

Y3 Row the boat

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-27.

Y3 Harmony Improvisation

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-27.

Uploaded by None on 2024-06-27.

Y3 Harmony Improvisation

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-27.

Y3 Harmony Improvisation

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-27.

Y3 Harmony Improvisation

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-27.

Year 5 learned a round called Ticking Clocks and composed their own strumming patterns to fit it.  Some chose to play the melody too.  Great work!

Y5 Ticking clocks

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Y5 Ticking clocks

Y5 Ticking clocks

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Y5 Ticking clocks

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Year 3 have been working hard to improve their Ukulele skills.  They learned a melody that could be played on open strings.

Y3 Camel Ride

Y3 Camel Ride

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Y3 Camel Ride

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Y3 Camel Ride

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-13.

Year 4 composed some rhythm ensemble pieces.  They used rhythms from a song about the Water Cycle and layered them up to create group performances.  See if you can spot the syncopated and dotted rhythms.

Y4 Water Cycle Rhythm Ensemble

Y4 Water Cycle Rhythm Ensemble

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-05.

Y4 Water Cycle Rhythm Ensemble

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-05.

Y4 Water Cycle Rhythm Ensemble

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-06-05.

Year 3 learned some words by Sue Nicholls about the Egyptian sun god Ra.  Then they used drums and Ukuleles to create an accompaniment for the words.

Year 6 have been studying film music and what makes it effective.  They had to compose their own soundtrack for a video clip.  Excellent work everyone.

Y6 Film Music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Y6 Film Music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Uploaded by None on 2024-05-23.

Y6 Film Music

Y6 Film Music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Y6 Film Music

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Year 5 have been working on playing chords and melodies on the Ukulele.

Y5 Little Seed

Y5 Little Seed

Y5 Little Seed

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Year 1 enjoyed using their voices as instruments to learn about timbre today.  

Y1 Three Bears House

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-23.

Year 3 have certainly been working hard at their music recently.  They have composed a rhythm pyramid and we wanted to share it with you all.

 

Y3 Pyramid composition 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-16.

Year 3 learned to sing a short song about the Egyptian Pharaohs.  Then they attempted to play the melody on the chime bars.

After playing the two-note melody by ear, Year 3 went on to compose their own melodies using just tow notes.  I am so proud of the way they approached this most tricky of challenges.  Please enjoy hearing some of their pieces below.

Y3 Pharaohs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-14.

Y3 Pharaohs melody

Y3 Two note melody compositions

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y3 Two note melody compositions

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y3 Two note melody compositions

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Uploaded by None on 2024-05-02.

Year 5 have learned about syncopated rhythms.  They sang a song which included some syncopated rhythms and then tried playing it on the chime bars.  It is a very difficult challenge to play it accurately.  We have performed only one line of the song each.  If you ask, they may be able to sing you the entire song so you know how well they performed.

Y5 Metamorphosis

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y5 Metamorphosis

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y5 Metamorphosis

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y5 Metamorphosis

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Uploaded by None on 2024-05-02.

Year 3 learned a song with two pitches in.  their next challenge was to work out how to play it....without and musical notation to help them.  It was a very tricky challenge, but they did a really good job.  Playing "by ear" is a useful skill for a musician and the children in year 3 have made a excellent beginning.

Y3 Lemonade song by ear

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Y3 Lemonade song by ear

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-05-02.

Year 5 learned some tricky rhythms with semiquavers in.  Then they combined them into a rhythm ensemble.  

Y5 Rhythm ensemble

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Next, they added a melodic ostinato pattern.

Y5 Rhythm ensemble 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Year 6 have been learning to play melodies on the chime bars and ukulele.

Precision in notes and rhythms is difficult to achieve, but they made a fantastic job of it.

Y6 Ode to Joy 3

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Y6 Ode to Joy 7

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Y6 Frere Jacques

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Year 5 composed Call & response songs inspired by the ocean and the planets.

Y5 Call & response

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Y5 Call & response

Y5 Call & response

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Year 4 played an accompaniment for a song that needed two chords - F major and C major.  It takes a lot of practice to be able to switch accurately between the two chords.  Great work.

Uploaded by None on 2024-04-23.

Year 2  learned a call and response song and then worked out how to play their response phrase on the chime bars.  The big challenge was performing it at the same time!  What excellent effort boys and girls!

Y2 Row back Sailor response

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-04-23.

Year 3 had a lot of fun creating their own words and actions inspired by Antarctica.  They watched a piece by Anna Meredith called "No Place Like..."  and then created their own musical cacophony.

Uploaded by None on 2024-04-23.

Year 6 used the first verse of a poem about trains by George Savige to create a call & response performance.  They had to compose their own "response" phrase using train-like sounds.

Year 5 enjoyed using the Song Maker app from Chrome Music Lab.  Enjoy listening to their creations!  

Year 1 have been learning about pitch.  They have been learning to play the chime bars in their music lesson.

Year 3 have learned a melody on the ukulele, which uses a fingered" note for the first time.  Adding a finger on a string changes the pitch of the note.

I was very proud to see how hard everyone tried and was very impressed with how fast they learned.  Well done year 3.

Year 6 got creative with Chrome Music Lab.

Here are just a few of their creations using the Songmaker app.

Year 4 had to work out how to play a 3-note song on chime bars.  They discovered three different sets of notes on which they could play it.  Some pairs got very creative and used more than one version within their performances.

Year 3 interpreted a graphic score and composed music for a Roman road.

See if you can hear the different layers.

Year 4 learned a melody that uses three "fingered" notes, including a high C, which we had not attempted before.

Super effort everyone.

Year 3 performed a melody on the Ukulele open strings. 

Year 5 transformed song lyrics into raps and performed them.  Good teamwork everyone!

Y5 King Midas raps

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-25.

Year 6 created raps using words written by Sue Nicholls.

Y6 Echo Rap 7

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Y6 Echo Rap 5

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Y6 Echo Rap 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Y6 Echo Rap 8

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Year 2 composed and performed a soundscape about flying.  See if you can hear the plane taking off; travelling smoothly; running into turbulance and then landing safely.  

Please note: there is no picture on this video.

Y2 Flight sound story

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Year 5 completed a music lesson based on the Greek Myth about King Midas.  They learned a call and response chant and created an accompaniment for it.  

Y5 King Midas chant with accompaniment

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-18.

Y4 Clapping duets 10

Year 5 learned a song about King Midas .... and then played it on the Ukulele.  There were some very tricky rhythms in this song but we worked very hard to try to master them - well done everyone.

Year 5 King Midas

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-11.

Year 2 learned a song from Nigeria.  It means "may your day be filled with happiness."

Year 2 Funmje Alafia

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2024-01-11.

Year 4 composed call & response chants inspired by Rainforest animals.  They wrote their own lyrics and performed them with their partners.  Good work everyone!

Y4 Call and Response Rainforest Animal 4

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-14.

Y4 Call and Response Rainforest Animal 3

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-14.

Uploaded by None on 2023-12-14.

Y4 Call and Response Rainforest Animal 11

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-14.

Y4 Call and Response Rainforest Animal 8

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-14.

Year 1 made a soundscape based on a song about the Great Big Woods.  See if you can hear the bees; squirrel; woodpecker; birds and the owl.  

Please note: there is no picture on this video.

Y1 Great Big Woods Soundscape 1

Year 4 performed a poem from a story about Mowgli in the jungle.  "Enemies are everywhere!"

Y4 Mowgli in the jungle poem 8

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Y4 Mowgli in the jungle poem 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Y4 Mowgli in the jungle poem 7

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Year 5 had lots of fun turning information about Henry VIII's six wives into a performance.

Y5 Henry VIII wives rap 5

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Y5 Henry VIII wives rap

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Y5 Henry VIII wives rap 6

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-12-07.

Year 4 have been using chrome Music Lab to experiment with composition.  We used the Song Maker app to compose our own repeating patterns.

Uploaded by None on 2023-11-30.

Y4 ICT Song Maker

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-30.

Y4 ICT Song Maker

Y4 ICT Song Maker

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-30.

Year 2 read the story of The Sun and the Wind and learned a song for each of the characters.  We wanted to share them with you.  The children made up their own actions to fit with the song words.  You can see how much we are enjoying performing together.

Y2 Wind song

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-23.

Y2 Sun song

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-23.

Year 3 learned to play another melody on open strings on the Ukulele.  

Y3 Ukulele Mouse Mousie

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-16.

Y3 Ukulele Mouse Mousie

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-16.

Y3 Ukulele Mouse Mousie

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-16.

Y3 Ukulele Mouse Mousie

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-16.

Uploaded by None on 2023-11-16.

Year 4 enjoyed learning a new piece on the Recorder.  It is from Razzamajazz and is called "Pineapple Punch".

Y4 Recorders Pineapple Punch

Year 3 continue to improve on the recorder.  This week's melody is called "B B Blues" and comes from the amazing Recorder Boppers series.  Good work everyone!

Y3 Recorders B B Blues

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Year 5 have been improving their Ukulele skills.  We learned a song called "Pavans and Pageantry" and learned to play the melody on the Ukulele.  It needs some intricate fingerwork and fingered notes.  Fantastic work year 5!

Y5 Ukulele Pavans and Pageantry

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Uploaded by None on 2023-11-09.

Y5 Ukulele Pavans and Pageantry

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Year 3 have also been working hard on their Ukulele playing.  They learned a melody that uses open strings and performed.  Here are just a few of their performances.  Super work Year 3!

Y3 Ukulele Stone Age Children

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Y3 Ukulele Stone Age Children

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Y3 Ukulele Stone Age Children

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Y3 Ukulele Stone Age Children

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-11-09.

Uploaded by None on 2023-11-09.

Uploaded by None on 2023-11-09.

Year 6 have been studying Blues songs and have created their own lyrics to fit the 12-bar Blues chords.  Enjoy! 

Y6 Blues songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Y6 Blues Songs 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Y6 Blues Songs 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Y6 Blues Songs 3

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Year 4 were very excited to continue learning the recorder this year.  It takes a lot of effort and perseverance to play the more challenging pieces.  Good effort everyone.

Y4 Recorders Chicken cluck Waddle 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Year 2 have been improving their performance skills.  We learned a song and then worked out how to play it on chiime bars.  Here are just a few performances for you to enjoy.

Y2 Rain is falling down 1

Y2 Rain is falling down 5

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Y2 Rain is falling down 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-19.

Year 3 are enjoying their First Access Recorder lessons.  So far we have learned to breathe gently into our recorders and how to play the note B.  Here is our first song - it is called Glory B!

Flute autumn 23

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-12.

A visit from Perform

We were very pleased to receive a visit from Perform a few weeks ago. The children had a wonderfully energetic time exploring the theme of Around The World and using drama, dance and singing to help develop their confidence, concentration and social skills.

Perform run regular weekly classes in the local area and they are offering a special introductory discount to all parents of St Josephs Primary if they come along for a free trial session before Tuesday 17th October - i.e. just over one week's time.

To claim your discount, just call Perform on 020 7255 9120 quoting BRBD171023 or visit perform.org.uk to find out more.

Year 5 learned a new song, added actions and then experimented with different ostinato accompaniments.

Please note, the second video has no picture.

Y5 Henry King of England

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-12.

Y5 Henry King of England with sung ostinato

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-12.

It has been a very busy start to the year in our music lessons at St. Joseph's.  We have enjoyed singing together and have been remembering all that we have learned so far about playing instruments and composing.  To see a little of what we have been up to so far, please scroll down and watch the videos.  Check back next week for further updates.

Year 1 have learned about the pulse and how to play various percussion instruments.  You can see us accompanying a song called Old Mr Woodpecker with wood blocks.

Y1 Pulse with Old Mr Woodpecker

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Y1 Pulse with Old Mr Woodpecker

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Year 4 have been composing their own Rainforest animal rhythms.  Everyone chose an animal and thought about the number of syllables in the words.  Then they had to find a rhythmic way to say it and work out the musical notation that would describe it.

Y4 Animal Rhythm

Y4 Animal Rhythm

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Y4 Animal Rhythm

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Uploaded by None on 2023-10-05.

Y4 Animal Rhythm

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Y4 Animal Rhythm

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Year 5 have worked hard on their strumming technique for the Ukulele.  They also had to "de-code" some musical notation and learn how to play a song on the chime bars.

Y5 Strumming C major chord

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Uploaded by None on 2023-10-05.

Y5 Mountain high

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Y5 Mountain high

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Year 6 have got the Blues....but in a good way!  So far they have fallen in love with Blues music and learned about the 12-bar Blues chord sequence.  They have played the chord sequence on chime bars and Ukulele.

Y6 Blues Chords Chime Bars

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-10-05.

Uploaded by None on 2023-10-05.

Year 5 have composed music to represent a plant growing.  Listen and see if you can hear the shoots sprouting and leaves and flowers developing gradually as the music unfolds.

Uploaded by None on 2023-07-12.

Y5 Composition for plants growing

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Y5 Composition for plants growing

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Y5 Composition for plants growing 9

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Y5 Composition for plants growing 8

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Year 3 were experimenting with chime bar harmony - playing two notes at the same time.  They studied the Greek myth about Pandora's box and used hope as their inspiration for a chime bar composition.

Y3 Pandora Music for hope

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Uploaded by None on 2023-07-12.

Y3 Pandora Music for hope

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Y3 Pandora Music for hope

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Y3 Pandora Music for hope

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-07-12.

Year 6 have been learning about minimalist music.  We listened to a piece by Steve Reich and then used the ideas to compose our own minimalist music.  Enjoy the slightly hypnotic performances.  

6 Minimalism

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

6 Minimalism

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Y6 Minimalism

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Y6 Minimalism

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Today we hosted a singing celebration for Hertfordshire Music Service.  We were joined by children from Four Swannes school and Kirsty from the Music Service to learn some new songs and some rhythm games.  The children had a great time singing together.  Thank you to everyone who joined us this afternoon.

Singing Celebration

Singing Celebration

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Singing Celebration

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Year 5 had an interesting challenge in their music lessons this week.  They were given a choice of poems about springtime and had to turn it into a rap or a song.  We had some very creative performances.

Y5 It is Springtime

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Y5 It is Springtime

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Y5 It is Springtime

Y5 It is Springtime

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Y5 It is Springtime

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-29.

Year 4 have been learning about Samba and polyrhythms.  We really enjoyed a game using call & response phrases and then composed food rhythms.  See if you can hear these patterns: "Big mac, big mac, chicken nuggets too!"  and "Haribo and maoam are the best."

Y4 Samba-style polyrhythms

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Year 1 learned a pentatonic melody from China and then learned two different ostinato patterns to accompany their singing.  They worked really hard to concentrate on playing their ostinato pattern without being distracted by other parts.  Some children are even able to sing and play at the same time!  

Y1 Fukien Boatsong

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Year 2 learned a song which uses three different pitches.  After we sang it, we learned how to play it on the chime bars.  We even looked at the musical notation which belongs to us to help guide our performance.

Y2 Row, boys row

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Uploaded by None on 2023-06-22.

Year 3 have been learning about the Theseus and the Minotaur.  We imagined the fight in the labyrinth and improvised some music to accompany it.  See if you can hear the darkness; the Minotaur and Theseus in these performances.

Y3 Theseus and Minotaur fight music 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Y3 Theseus and Minotaur fight music 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Y3 Theseus and Minotaur fight music 3

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-22.

Year 5 have been playing the ukulele.  They learned how to play D (3B) and F (2G) and used them to perform a melody about a a little seed.  Super effort.

Uploaded by None on 2023-06-14.

Y5 See the little seed

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-14.

Y5 See the little seed

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-14.

Year 4 have really enjoyed composing their own animal music.  They started by writing word rhythms and notating them and then extended them into songs by adding pitch.  Today they performed their melodies on their own choice of chime bars or ukulele.

Super work everyone!

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Y4 animal songs

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-06-07.

Year 3 have been learning about ancient Greek plays.  We learned about the Greek "chorus", which would tell the story as it unfolded.  They were given some lyrics and had to interpret them in their own unique style, while making it as exciting and effective as possible.  Enjoy these performances.

Year 4 had a big challenge this week.  We learned some rhythm patterns that fitted with the four stages of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection and built them up into a four-part rhythm ensemble.  It is tricky to sustain a rhythm, without being confused by the other parts, but they did a fantastic job.

Y4 Rainforest 4 part Ensemble

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-05-04.

Year 3 have been making excellent progress with their Ukulele playing.  They learned a song about the Greek gods and then performed it on the Ukulele.

Y3 Greek gods Ukulele

Y3 Greek gods Ukulele

Y3 Greek gods Ukulele

It is always lovely to hear children performing.  I always feel that once you can play a particular melody (that everyone will recognise) on an instrument, you have achieved something.

Please enjoy.

Y6 Twinkle Twinkle

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-04-20.

Y6 Twinkle Twinkle

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-04-20.

Y6 Twinkle Twinkle

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-04-20.

Y6 Twinkle Twinkle

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-04-20.

Year 5 made the first verse of a poem by Paul Perro into a Viking rap.  They had to fit it to a backing rhythm and remember that rapping requires rhythm, attitude and expression.

Y5 Viking rap

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-03-23.

Year 6 have been challenging themselves and learned a melody that uses dotted notes.  We decoded the musical notation and then chose to perform on either chime bars or Ukulele.

Y6 Kukulkan

Y6 Kukulkan

Y6 Kukulkan

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-03-23.

Y6 Kukulkan

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-03-23.

Year 6 have been composing.  Here are some of their pieces.

Y6 Mayans Composition

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-02-24.

Y6 Mayans Composition

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-02-24.

Y6 Mayans Composition

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-02-24.

Year 1 loved watching Michel Rosen perform "We're going on a Bear Hunt" in their music lesson.  We though of a symbol to represent each obstacle on the journey and then created body percussion and vocal sounds for each one.  We thought about dynamics, tempo and pitch in our performance.

Please note: there is no picture on this video.

Y1 Bear Hunt Soundscape

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-02-06.

In September Year 3 began learning to play the Recorder in "First Access" lessons, which are funded by Hertfordshire Music Service.  Today we really enjoyed performing "Walking Talking Robot" - it might be our favourite piece so far.  See if you can hear what the robot is saying...

Y3 Recorders Walking Talking Robot

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-19.

Year 1 have enjoyed listening to the story of the Great Fire of London on BBC Schools Radio broadcasts.  They have learned some fantastic songs to go with it and even composed their own body percussion and vocal soundscape about the fire.You might hear the sticks catching fire and then the flames getting higher; the people throwing items into the river to save them from the fire and maybe the poor pigeons whose wings caught fire.  (Please note: there is no picture for this video.)

Year 1 Great Fire Begins soundscape

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-19.

Year 6 learned to play the melody for Frere Jacques on chime bars.  Some of us were even confident enough to perform it as a round!

Y6 Mayans Frere Jacques round

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-12.

Y6 Mayans Frere Jacques round

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-12.

Year 5 tackled a tricky rhythm activity in their music lesson.  We thought about sustaining two patterns at the same time and then used Loki (a Viking god) as our inspiration.  Loki is a shape-shifter, which means he can transform.  We tried to make changes to our patterns to represent his different forms.

Y5 Vikings Clapping duet

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-12.

Y5 Vikings Clapping duet

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-12.

Y5 Vikings Clapping duet

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2023-01-12.

Year 6 have continued to be inspired by the 12-bar Blues.  Here are some of the pieces they composed after learning the 12-bar Blues chord sequences.

Year 6 WWII Echo Rap 1

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2022-09-08.

Year 6 WWII Echo Rap 2

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2022-09-08.

Year 6 WWII Echo Rap

Year 6 WWII Echo Rap 4

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2022-09-08.

Year 6 Echo Rap 5

Uploaded by St. Joseph's YouTube Channel on 2022-09-08.