Music

At the Vale, the Music curriculum is designed to engage and inspire children. We aim to develop a love and enjoyment of music as well as develop skills as musicians. 

It is important that children have the opportunity to critically listen to a range of music from different composers, periods and cultures, and as they move through the school, they will focus on different composers and genres. Improvisation, composition and performance skills and opportunities are woven through the curriculum in every year group. The interrelated musical dimensions, and associated vocabulary, of pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure are explicitly taught and progressively developed across the school so that children have a secure structure on which to build their creative skills. 

All children have the opportunity to learn how to play several tuned and percussive instruments during their time with us: the recorder, glockenspiel and a range of untuned percussion Peripatetic lessons are offered in piano and violin. All children are given tailored opportunities to sing or play either in solo, small group or class performances. We value and support all performances so that all children can be successful as well as giving those who have a deeper mastery of the subject, opportunities.   

We have a strong heritage of singing and children’s vocal skills are developed and celebrated, with many opportunities to take part in singing events such as the annual Carol Concert, Infant and Junior productions, the Epsom and Ewell Music Festival and GLF Music Festival.