music 

Hello! My name is Carol Ray and I am very excited to be joining the team at Newlands this term.

I have taught Music (& Performing & Visual Arts) for over 20 years at a number of schools and have always been a huge advocate for the importance of The Arts and Music education, and the impact it can have on the overall emotional, social and educational development of students. Music has had a huge impact in my life from my early years in school choirs, to my participation in amateur theatrical productions and working with a community children's choir. 

I am looking forward to working with all the students and also further establishing a choir (or 2), which is a long time passion of mine.

In the past 2 weeks, the students have participated in the following activities:

F/1

We loved singing “The Quarter Master’s Store” and putting students’ names in the song!

The favourite verse was 'There was Carol, Carol, stuck inside a barrel!'

We also sang, “Apples & Bananas”, practising all the vowels, “Mr Clicketty Cane” & “When You’re Feeling Crook” with funny actions.

We practised moving to the beat, using different body parts, and playing rhythms on non-melodic percussion instruments. 

2/3

I was very impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and the quality of their singing when we started learning the song “Count on Me” and also “The Quarter Master’s Store”. They especially enjoyed the verse about me being stuck inside a barrel!

We practised playing as part of a percussion circle using melodic and non-melodic instruments. We had great fun playing ‘food rhythms’ such as ‘Ice cream sundae’. The students did an amazing job of maintaining their part while everyone else around them played something different. 

4/5/6

It was great to meet and chat to these students and talk to them about their interests, likes and abilities in Music. To assist my planning, students completed a survey suggesting songs they may like to learn and activities they have enjoyed most in the past. 

In week 1, we played in a percussion circle, using specific rhythms as well as student improvised rhythms. 

We have also started learning the song “Count on Me” which will be worked as an instrumental/percussion and vocal ensemble. Students will be able to work on parts to suit their interest and ability, including singing, keyboard, guitar, ukulele and percussion. 

This week we listened to some Mozart and talked about him, when he lived and the music he wrote. We also guessed when the first guitar was invented - do you know?

Throughout the term, interested students will be given the opportunity to perform for their class using any music discipline they like. These performances may then appear at Assembly or different events later in the year. I look forward to hearing and watching their talents develop further!