Junior School Music
Developing skills, confidence and imagination through the joy of making and sharing music.
From our youngest learners in Nursery through to Year 6, students are supported by specialist teachers to develop a strong musical foundation. Lessons are practical, lively and inclusive, allowing each student to experience the thrill of making and sharing music together.
Across the Junior School, students explore rhythm, pitch and sound; learn to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully; and perform with growing confidence. Through singing, movement, and instrumental work, they discover that music is both a language and an art — one that encourages collaboration, imagination and self-expression.
As part of this all students deliver termly Morning Talks (Assemblies) with their class on the topic they are learning about, an experience which supports the development of confidence to speak in front of an audience from a young age.
A Lifelong Love of Music
At St Chris, we believe that music provides fulfilment throughout life. It is a powerful form of communication — one that shapes how children feel, think and act. Music transcends cultures, abilities and generations. Listening to and making music satisfies an instinctive human need for creativity and self-expression.
Through music, our children develop key skills such as listening, turn-taking and collaboration. It stimulates emotional and intellectual responses, building confidence and imagination. Alongside being a creative and enjoyable pursuit, music at St Chris is also a rich and academically challenging subject.
We provide many opportunities for children to engage with music, to perform, and to experience the joy of sharing their talents with others.
Performing Together
One of the highlights of the Junior School calendar is the Junior School Musical Production — a much-loved event run as an After School Club. The production is performed in the main School Theatre, complete with full sound and lighting facilities, and supported by Senior School students and staff.
Throughout the year, there are many other opportunities for children to perform to an audience. These include busking at the Christmas Fayre, the Black History Month Concert, the Junior School Summer Celebration, and a variety of themed concerts and singing events. Each occasion allows pupils to share their achievements and grow in confidence as performers.
Our Music Curriculum
| Nursery |
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In Nursery, students begin their musical journey by exploring the foundations of music — sound, rhythm and early notation. Supported by our specialist music teachers, they enjoy plenty of group singing, action songs and opportunities to play instruments. Students are encouraged to experiment with sound, perform together, and most importantly, share the joy of music-making as a community. These early experiences lay the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of music. |
| Reception |
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Reception students continue to build upon these early skills with growing independence. They explore rhythm, pitch and sound through creative activities, and begin to recognise simple musical symbols and notation. Lessons encourage students to create their own musical patterns, to improvise, and to develop confidence and teamwork through shared performances. Music at this stage is all about discovery, play and the joy of making sound come alive. |
| Year 1 |
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In Year 1, students explore long and short sounds, high and low notes, and begin to think about how different instruments can create a variety of musical colours. They experiment with dynamics and tempo, learning how music can be loud or soft, fast or slow; and discover how combining sounds can change the mood or feeling of a piece. |
| Year 2 |
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In Year 2, students continue to explore musical contrasts and textures, long and short sounds, fast and slow tempos, and high and low pitches. Working as an ensemble, they experiment with instruments and develop an understanding of how different sounds can be combined to create expressive and exciting performances. |
| Year 3 |
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In Year 3, lessons include fun, focused activities to develop pitch, rhythm and pulse through games, singing and movement. Students learn to listen carefully, communicate musically and play as part of a group. StringsUnder the guidance of our violin teacher, all students learn to play the violin as a class. Through plucking (pizzicato) and bowing (arco), they develop coordination, stamina and perseverance, as well as musical understanding. Students explore dynamics, articulation and pitch while building memory and rhythm skills through call-and-response games. Group performance and creative improvisation build confidence and a sense of achievement. |
| Year 4 |
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In Year 4, students expand their vocal range through songs that span an octave and are introduced to rounds, dynamics and expressive markings such as crescendo and diminuendo. They rehearse and perform as ensembles, further developing confidence and musicianship. UkuleleUnder the guidance of one of our Visiting Music Teachers, students spend half an hour each week learning to play the ukulele. Following a structured course, they progress from open strings to playing songs with multiple chords in a range of musical styles. As they rehearse and perform together, children learn the value of collaboration and performance, sharing their music with pride and joy. |
| Year 5 |
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In Year 5, students build on their musical understanding through more complex songs and ensemble work. They explore singing in harmony and perform as a class orchestra using tuned percussion and keyboards. Composition takes centre stage, with creative projects such as Journey into Space, which explore texture and musical structure. Students are introduced to musical notation and learn to perform from written music, while also developing improvisation skills and an awareness of musical history and style. |
| Year 6 |
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In Year 6, students consolidate everything they have learned in their Junior School music journey. They sing in harmony, compose collaboratively, and perform confidently as ensembles. Students develop a deeper understanding of notation, musical form and historical context, exploring how music has evolved over time. Through listening, performing and creating, they prepare for the exciting musical opportunities that await in the Senior School. |
Instrumental and Vocal Lessons
Many of our students choose to take individual or small group lessons, and they have regular opportunities to perform in concerts, assemblies and school events throughout the year.
We offer tuition on a wide range of instruments — from strings, woodwind and brass, to percussion, piano and voice. If your child isn’t sure which instrument to begin with, we’re happy to arrange a free taster lesson to help them find the one that feels right.
Once lessons begin, students usually have one lesson each week, typically 35 minutes long. For our younger learners in the Junior School, 20-minute lessons are also available as a gentle introduction to instrumental learning.
| Lessons Offered |
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If you’d like to take up an instrument, just fill out the form below, and a member of our Music Department will be in contact with you.
