Music

Staff:

Don Gillthorpe   Head of Music	Emma Richardson   Leader of Enhanced Provision
Anastasia Micklethwaite   Director, Furness Music Centre	Peter Dyer Assistant Headteacher

 

Clubs and Activities 2009-10:

Click here to download details of our Key Stage 3 Schemes of Work

'Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. Music forms part of an individual’s identity and positive interaction with music can develop pupils’ competence as learners and increase their self-esteem. Music brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development.'

Taken from the 2008 National Curriculum's description of the importance of music.

Music education at Dowdales is built upon this philosophy, developing musical knowledge and understanding through practical activities.  Within music lessons, pupils learn to sing and play music from a variety of genres, developing traditional music literacy skills through practical work.  Singing is an important part of the musical life of the school and pupils develop their vocal skills throughout Key Stage Three.  In year seven, pupils receive two fifty-minute periods per week with two schemes of work running in parallel: a singing scheme and a 'core' scheme.  Pupils in years eight and nine each receive one fifty-minute period per week.  

Musical activity is not restricted to the classroom, with an extensive programme of extra-curricular opportunities being available at lunch times and after school.  These include choirs (a mixed choir and a boys choir), wind band, samba band, orchestra, guitar groups and many others.  A large number of pupils also receive instrumental lessons with visiting teachers for which there is a termly charge; the school shows its commitment to music education by heavily subsidising this provision.  

Pupils take part in a diverse range of performances throughout the year, with audiences from the local community and beyond supporting the work which we do.  We also work very closely with Furness Music Centre (whose community orchestras, choirs and chamber ensembles rehearse at Dowdales every Saturday during term time) to create further opportunities for performance.

Instrumental/vocal teaching staff: