Music

*FLASH NEWS*

WELL DONE to all those that took part in the Sponsored Music Practice in Term 4, we have raised almost £2,000! 

Congratulations to these children for winning their class at the Tunbridge Wells Festival in March, 2024.

Kreeshi - Strings Grade 1

Tess & Eve - Strings Duet

Tess & Giselle - Mixed Ensemble

All - Strings Ensemble

MUSICAL CHIDD

Music is a very important part of our daily life at Chiddingstone and 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. 

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, 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 a wonderful experience for us all!

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 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 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

Wider Opportunities

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. We also have teamed up with Kent Music to deliver an agency project of instrument teaching. This year, Year 3 pupils are learning to play the flute, every Tuesday, with our perpetetic flute teacher. 

Other events that take place through the year are;
 

• Singing or playing at Christmas markets e.g. Penshurst, Chiddingstone Castle
• 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 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. 

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. We gained The Music Mark Award in 2021, by Kent Music: “We have recognised your commitment to, and the value that you place on music.” We now look to reapply for it in 2024.