Music Tuition

Choir

Pupils from year 3 upwards are able to join our fantastic school choir.

Rehearsals take place every Friday from 3.15-4.15pm. Pupils are obliged to attend every rehearsal, and information in writing is needed if they wish to leave.

Orchestra

Pupils who have reached necessary level of ability are invited to join the school orchestra.

This is held every Thursday lunchtime. Rehearsals start on the second week of each new term and end the second to last week of term.

Peripatetic Lessons

At St Joseph’s we offer lessons to Key Stage 2 pupils in Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Guitar, Piano and Percussion. Lessons are charged at £40 per term.

Bexley Music Services provides us with excellent teachers who deliver a total of 25 lessons per academic year. Lessons start on the second week of each new term and end the second to last week of term.

In the event of a peripatetic teacher missing a lesson due to illness, lessons will be made up.

At the end of the summer term, Mrs Tylee will send letters to all Key Stage 2 pupils wishing to start / continue music lessons. If your child is interested in starting lessons mid-year, please contact Mrs Tylee via the Contact Book.

Instrument hire

We have some instruments available for hire at St Joseph’s.

Hire costs are £20 per term. Alternatively instruments can be hired from Bexley Music Services directly.

Samba Drums - Year 3

Year 3 pupils are given Samba drumming lessons with a visiting specialist teacher from Bexley Music Services, who delivers 25 lessons in total.

A nominative fee of £30 is charged at the beginning of the year to help cover costs.

Our samba drumming course, which is aligned with the Model Music Curriculum, begins with foundational rhythm and instrument techniques on instruments like the surdo and caixa, progressively building students' understanding of complex ensemble patterns and Brazilian musical traditions. Students develop key musical skills, including rhythmic accuracy, coordination, and collaborative performance, while exploring the cultural significance of samba within a structured learning framework. Through consistent practice and performance opportunities, students achieve the curriculum's objectives, fostering a deep appreciation for this dynamic and culturally rich musical genre.

Recorders - Year 4

In Year 4, pupils learn the recorder as part of their class music lessons.

Following a year of samba drumming, our recorder course provides students with a foundational understanding of traditional music notation and instrumental technique. Students begin by learning to read basic musical symbols, progressively mastering the notes and fingerings required to play simple melodies on the recorder, all while connecting their rhythmic awareness from samba to notated music. Throughout the year, students develop their sight-reading skills, learn to interpret musical scores, and explore a range of musical styles, fostering a comprehensive understanding of music theory and performance. Children may bring in their own recorders. Alternatively, parents will have the opportunity to purchase recorders from the school via Mrs Tylee.

Keyboards - Year 5

Year 5 pupils learn the keyboard as part of their class music lessons.

Building upon the foundational music reading skills developed through recorder lessons, as outlined in the Model Music Curriculum, our keyboard sessions empower students to further their musical journey. In keyboard sessions, children delve deeper into musical theory, learning to interpret complex scores, play chords, and harmonize melodies, fostering a comprehensive understanding of musical structure that aligns with the Model Music Curriculum Model Music Curriculum progression of skills. This progression allows students to seamlessly transition from recognising simple rhythms to creating rich, layered musical pieces, cultivating both individual proficiency and collaborative ensemble skills.

Ukulele - Year 6

In Year 6, pupils learn the ukulele as part of their class music lessons.

Building upon the foundational music reading and playing skills developed in our recorder and keyboard lessons, students confidently progress to the ukulele, applying their established knowledge to learn chord progressions and strumming techniques, all aligned with the Model Music Curriculum Model Music Curriculum. This progression allows students to explore the versatility of the ukulele, utilising their prior musical literacy to create harmonious melodies and accompaniments, fostering a deeper understanding of musical structure as outlined in the Model Music Curriculum. By seamlessly integrating instrumental skills with theoretical understanding, our ukulele program empowers students to develop their musical expression and collaborative abilities, ensuring a comprehensive musical education.

Learning and growing together with Christ