Music

Music lessons

Music is taught within our Cornerstones Creative Curriculum. For example, Year 1 'Rio de Vida', Year 2 'Beat, Band, Boogie', and Year 4 'Playlist'. Please see Creative Curriculum page for more information. 

Musical Chidd

Music in the wider curriculum at Chiddingstone Church of England School continues to thrive and contributes to the cultural opportunities our children experience with so much going on during the week, as well as special events happening throughout the year.

In 2021-2022, we had 43% of pupils learning a musical instrument at Chiddingstone, with the most popular being the violin and piano. Flute, guitar and singing are also taught throughout the week. We have a music room especially devoted to the music lessons throughout the week. 

Music is not just about learning an instrument. All children are involved in singing and enjoy performing their vocal skills in Acts Of Worship, special services, music lessons and summer productions. Even during the Covid year, 2020, we were still able to enjoy group singing in socially distanced bubbles and ensure that there were still music opportunities for all.

A highlight for the school has been obtaining The Music Mark Award, by Kent Music: “We have recognised your commitment to, and the value that you place on music.” Please look out for the logo on our homepage. 

THE SUMMER PRODUCTION is the big event of the year (in July) where the whole school take an active part in acting, singing and dancing to our Musical Performance. Previous plays have been:

2012 – Oliver Twist

2013 – The Jungle Book

2014 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

2015 – Peter Pan

2016 – The Wizard of Oz

2017 - Mary Poppins

2018 - Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

2019 - Robin Hood

2020- Sadly did not take place due to Covid-19

2021- A Midsummer Night's Dream

2022 - Mary Poppins

The orchestra do a fantastic job at accompanying all the acting, singing, dancing and musical cues. It is performed on our outdoor stage and a wonderful experience for us all!

Clubs

Key Stage 2 Orchestra: available for all children in Key Stage 2 from playing percussion to playing the violin. We have 24 children who participate in the orchestra and have a range of repertoire, from Handel to Harry Potter! Everyone is welcome with enthusiasm. It takes place on Monday lunchtimes, at 12.30 in class 2. Please contact Mrs Ralph for more details.

We also have a number of peripatetic teachers offering individual, private lessons at school:

• Violin & Piano - Mrs Celia Barstow: celia.barstow@btinternet.com
• Piano - Mrs Sally Higham: sallylaynemusic@gmail.com  
• Piano - Miss Melissa Barstow: melissa.barstow@btinternet.com 
• Flute - Mrs Rosie Phillips: rphillips@kent-music.com
• Guitar - Mr Jonny Wright: info@musicstation.pro

Outside opportunities

The children are also given many opportunities outside of school and in the wider community to perform. Regular events have been;
Singing/playing:

• at Christmas markets e.g. Penshurst, Chiddingstone Castle 
• at the WI Christmas Carol Concert in St. Mary's church
• in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks local competitions 
• as part of the Young voices concert at the 02 arena 
• at The Children's Prom (working collaboratively with Sevenoaks schools in the partnership in forming a united orchestra for a concert)
• by invitation from local secondary schools to be involved in their concerts: e.g. Chiddingstone flute students performing with the Sevenoaks wind band and the orchestra participating in the BBC's "Ten Pieces".

2021-2022

We are fortunate to have strong links with Sevenoaks School who are keen to support the Music at Chiddingstone in different ways this year. In Term 2, with two key musical events (The KS1 Nativity and KS2 Carol Service), we have the help of Julia Kiggell, an accomplished music teacher from Sevenoaks school, who will be supporting the string players. We will also have some students coming in to deliver some music lessons to a class in 2022 for a term. Finally, discussions are underway for a joint cluster music event for Year 4 pupils.....Watch this space!