Music at Fairview

Music makes an important contribution to life at Fairview School and is celebrated, promoted and encouraged. Through music, pupils’ self-esteem is built, and self-discipline developed. At Fairview, children benefit from the transformational power that music brings. We believe that music helps to improve listening and concentration skills, develops motor skills, improves problem solving skills, teaches resilience, develops spatial awareness and fosters teamwork. Music making is not only good for the brain but also the heart! Pupils at Fairview enjoy the pleasure of mastering a tune or a song. Pupils like the opportunity to express themselves through music and recognise that music making can have a significant positive effect on wellbeing.

Annual Summer Concert - Tuesday 27th June 2023

We were immensly proud of our sixty Fairview musicians who performed in front of parents and staff at our annual Summer Concert on 27th June. They were so respectful to each other and very professional and made it an excellent evening. The audience could not stop complimenting the performers - well done each and every one of you.

Children in the concert are part of the following music groups within the school:

• Fairview Youth Choir

• FAB Band

• Ukulele Ensemble

• Recorder Stars

• Dreamy Drummers

• Soloists and Duets

Class Music Lessons

In class music lessons, children listen to, compose, and perform music of all styles and genres, and sing. Our music room is extremely well-appointed, with sets of electronic keyboards, guitars, ukuleles, glockenspiels and untuned percussion, as well as orchestral instruments, so all lessons are practical. Children are taught to play the recorder and ukulele through whole-class lessons with specialist teachers.

Pupils at Fairview are given the opportunity to explore and work with sound, as well as use our extensive range of instruments. Our curriculum emphasises the appreciation of music as well as developing creativity and technical ability. Fairview uses the 'Sing-Up' scheme of work as the basis for its curriculum planning. Children are also introduced to a wide variety of music through the BBC’s 10 pieces. Both resources build upon prior learning and are carefully sequenced to ensure children develop their knowledge and skills in music. Music topics are carefully chosen and link with the year group learning in other subjects wherever possible. They are also encouraged to listen intently to a variety of music and actively participate in discussion, movement, art and drama linked to music. Children are given a range of musical experiences from various countries around the world, different periods in music history and contrasting musical genres.

Instrumental Lessons

At Fairview, we have a superb team of experienced peripatetic instrumental teachers. Pupils have access to subsidised recorder, violin, flute, clarinet, and guitar lessons, either in small groups or individual lessons. Children are also invited to attend holiday courses and other events run by the local Music hub, to further broaden their musical experiences. Fairview pupils have taken part Medway-wide events such as the Carol Festival, Recorder Ensemble, Ukulele festival and Choral festival.

Singing Assemblies

In our weekly singing assemblies, the children sing engaging and thought-provoking songs, from the UK and around the world, and which also underpin our school intent of home, near, far. Many songs are also strongly linked to our School Values and children are encouraged to reflect on the words they are singing. Children are given opportunities to experience singing in more than one part, using actions and singing alongside simple sign language.

Choir

The School choir involves more than 50 children from year 2 upwards. Children who attend share a passion for singing and sing a variety of songs chosen by the teacher and from choir members themselves. Our repertoire is varied and inclusive, embracing songs from around the world, sung in different languages, as well as traditional UK song heritage, Folk, Classical, Pop, Rock, and Jazz. Part singing is valued and the children enjoy the sense of togetherness that choir brings with it. The Choir have performed at prestigious local venues such as the MMA Medway Schools Carol Festival at Rochester Cathedral, as well as elderly people's residences, school concerts and assemblies. Rehearsals every Wednesday after school from 3.30-4.30.

Band

FAB - Fairview Alternative Band - started up in January 2022. It consists of musically talented children from years 3 upwards who perform on an array of instruments (voice, keyboards, and ukuleles as well as orchestral instruments). It is 'alternative' in that, although several of the children in band can competently read music, musical literacy is not a pre-requisite for being in the band. Children are encouraged to rehearse in small groups, to support each other, to make creative suggestions, as well as performing as a whole band. FAB performs at school concerts and assemblies and our repertoire is varied. We rehearse every Thursday after school from 3.30-4.30pm.

Dreamy Drummers

Our Dreamy Drummers are taught drum-kit performance skills on one of our two beautiful drum kits, by an extremely gifted ex-pupil who comes back to Fairview every week. Dreamy Drummers is for children in any year and has proved so popular that we often have a waiting list! Rehearsals are every Tuesday after school from 3.30-4.30pm.

Year 6 Production

The Year 6 production is a highlight of the school calendar and a fantastic opportunity for children to showcase their talents and celebrate the end of their school life at Fairview. Pupils sing, play instruments, act and dance to put on production performances to the school and parents. In June 2022, the children presented ‘Hoodwinked’, a modern and witty Robin Hood musical adaptation. In 2023, the production was ‘Jill & Fred’s Most Hysterical Historical Adventure’, an entertaining race through time and space.