Music

MUSIC AT CHIDDINGSTONE

Music is a very important part of our daily life at Chiddingstone and the children are enthusiastic about all the musical opportunities in the school. Music features in our daily acts of worship, through singing hymns and songs and also with children playing their instrument for us to listen to. The choir and orchestra play at key events and services throughout the year, taking place in St Mary's church and outside, on our outdoor stage. We teach Music through our Creative Curriculum topics, such as, Rio De Vida in Year 1 or Playlist for Year 4. The children have also received specialist music teaching, linking in Music to History or Geography topics. For example, Year 3 explored Rhythm during their topic of Through the Ages in Term 1. We also have organisations coming in to deliver bespoke lessons, such as samba drumming, to link in with our topic work.

We are delighted to say that we have gone above and beyond in our Music provision at Chiddingstone by gaining the The Music Mark Award (September 2024). After submitting an application with accompanying evidence, they have said:

We would like to thank you for all the hard work you and your colleagues do to ensure that pupils at your school are able to access a high-quality music education. Your dedication to delivering a broad and balanced curriculum is both welcomed and celebrated.

Well done everyone on really aiming high and ensuring Music is valued and encouraged at Chiddingstone!

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. We perform on our outdoor stage and each year group from YR-5 act and perform in a scene from the play, with the Y6 doing the majority of the acting. The orchestra do a fantastic job at accompanying all the acting, singing, dancing and musical cues. It is what makes Chiddingstone a unique school!

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

2023 - The Wizard of Oz

2024 - Peter Pan

Clubs

Key Stage 2 Orchestra: available for all children in Key Stage 2 from playing percussion to playing the violin. We have 20 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 Wednesday lunchtimes, at 12.30 in class 2. Please contact Mrs Ralph for more details.
KS2 Choir: This club is run every Monday lunchtime for keen singers in KS2. It is in the Year 2 classroom, 12:30-1pm. For more details, please speak with Mrs Helen Cheshire.
Senior Strings Group: Takes place on a Friday with Mrs Barstow
Junior Strings Group: takes place on a Monday with Mrs Barstow

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 - Mr Jeremy Lyons : jlyons@kent-music.com
Guitar - Mr Chris Rouse: chrisjrouse88@gmail.com

EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

There are many extra-curricular oppotunities at Chiddingstone Church of England School which ensures music continues to thrive and contributes to the cultural opportunities our children experience. There is so much going on during the week, as well as special events happening throughout the year. We also have teamed up with Kent Music to deliver a Music Plus project of instrument teaching. This year, Year 3 pupils are learning to play the flute, every Tuesday, with our peripetetic flute teacher.

Other events that take place through the year are;

musicians taking part in solo, duet or group entries in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks local competitions *
as part of the Young voices concert at the 02 arena (biennially)
Joint events with the Sevenoaks Partnership of schools
by invitation from local secondary schools to be involved in specific projects.