Music

Music is a real strength in the school, not only through the taught curriculum but as part of our extra curricular provision. All our pupils are encouraged to develop a love and appreciation of music through a practical based approach to the curriculum. 

All pupils experience music as an exciting and interesting part of the curriculum that continues throughout the school year. We try to build up pupils' confidence so that they leave with a wealth of experience and enjoyment from a wide musical background.

In addition to practical instrumental work, pupils are able to experience music making through the use of ICT. From Year 3 they are taught to create sounds through using a variety of instruments including handbells and to compose their own basic rhythms and melodies. Year 4 experience music through the medium of ukuleles and by the end of one term they will have experienced chords, strumming patterns and have played fun engaging songs which they sing and play at the same time. Year 5 experience handbells and learn what it is like to be part of a musical team. They also gain a basic understanding on how to read musical notation, putting them in a great position should they wish to take up a musical instrument outside of school. Year 6 continue to develop their music skills and get a chance to compose their own music using iPads and the Garage Band app. They also get to play the djembe drum linking in really well with their Africa topic and their visit to see The Lion King in The West End. 

All children at Cleves get a chance to perform in assemblies, services and concerts and we encourage all children to get actively involved and gain the confidence one might get from having an audience applaud them for being fantastic. As well as the school events there are several opportunities for children to perform outside of school and you can find out more about this below in the musical groups section. 

To read more about the intent, implementation and impact of our curriculum at Cleves, please see below:  

Curriculum Intent, Implementation & Impact

Choirs

We have two choirs that practise weekly at school and get numerous opportunities to perform in and outside of school. 

Cleves Junior Choir practises on a Thursday after school (3.15 - 4.15) and is run by our Music Specialist, Mr. Kilhams. This choir gets to perform at services and concerts across the school year but also have performed at the Elmbridge School Choirs Festival and other outside events. 

Cleves Senior Choir practises on a Wednesday after school (3.15 - 4.15) and is run by our Music Specialist, Mr. Kilhams. This choir have built up a reputation in the local area of being a highly professional school choir and regularly get asked to perform at events outside of school as well as be a highlight in school concerts. They particularly enjoy being part of the Young Voices concert each year as well which happens at The O2 Arena in front of thousands of people. 

Handbell Group 

The Cleves Handbell group has been going for several years and is run by our Music Specialist, Mr. Kilhams. It was set up with the help of the chairman from Handbell Ringers of Great Britain and has been so successful that we have started using handbells as part of the music curriculum. The level of musicianship the children get to in this group is inspiring and they have got national recognition for their efforts. Most recently they have been the first ever school handbell group to achieve their Level 1 ABRSM certificate and also their Level 2 ABRSM certificate. In 2019 they were asked to perform in a big concert in Windsor involving handbell groups from across the UK and it is safe to say they stole the show! They went on to make the front cover of a couple of magazines as well! 

Music Lessons

Tuition on a wide range of instruments is available at school - either through Surrey County Arts or from private teachers who visit the school. To find out information on music tuition please go to the Surrey Arts website at www.surreycc.gov.uk/arts. Application forms can be found there and applications made online. For some instruments there are waiting lists which are maintained by Surrey County Arts and not by the school. If you have applied to them and wish to know the position regarding the waiting list please telephone them 01483 519303 or email surreyarts@surreycc.gov.uk Surrey County Arts will otherwise only contact you when a vacancy arises. 

We also have three private music teachers visiting the school, who may be contacted as follows:-

Andrew Cunningham (Guitar) 07956584442  Email: surreyguitar@gmail.com

Ruairidh Anderson Jamming Together (for children already playing drums, bass or electric guitar and/or vocals) 07421 367 140 Email: admin@jammingtogether.com 

Lauren Twilley (Piano) Email: laurentwilleypiano@gmail.com  www.laurentwilley.co.uk/