--- title: "News: Music" url: "https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/tag/music" school: "Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy" --- # News: Music ![Image of Reception-Music-Nature Sounds](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/0bd10d52-e1d9-4618-af06-02dfdf5ce57c.jpg) 21 Oct [2026-10-21-reception-music-nature-sounds](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-21-reception-music-nature-sounds) #### [Reception-Music-Nature Sounds](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-21-reception-music-nature-sounds) Our Reception children enjoyed a wonderful music lesson outdoors as they went on a listening walk around the school grounds to explore different sounds. Afterwards, they drew pictures of everything they heard and had a lively discussion about which ones were natural nature sounds. ![Image of Year 5 Music ](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/13e09b8b-b506-4d2b-b9f9-ac479d0466f3.jpg) 20 Oct [2026-10-20-year-5-music](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-20-year-5-music) #### [Year 5 Music ](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-20-year-5-music) Our Year 5 children have been learning to play the glockenspiel and learning about Egyptian style music. Playing the glockenspiel gives children a hands-on introduction to melody and note reading while developing precision, ensemble teamwork, and rhythmic confidence. ![Image of Year 2 Music - Dynamics Performance](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/aae0bd53-d4c1-4448-b859-b2b62846d917.jpg) 14 Oct [2026-10-14-year-2-music-dynamics-performance](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-14-year-2-music-dynamics-performance) #### [Year 2 Music - Dynamics Performance](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-14-year-2-music-dynamics-performance) In this exciting music lesson, Year 2 pupils explore how changing volume—known in music as dynamics—can bring their compositions to life. Working in small groups, the children develop their own 'call and response' percussion patterns, experimenting with contrasting loud and quiet sounds to make their performances as expressive as possible. They conclude the session by performing their pieces for their classmates and sharing helpful, constructive feedback. ![Image of Reception-Music-Instrumental Sounds](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/7a573b3e-dff2-466f-9476-13e5631acea9.jpg) 13 Oct [2026-10-13-reception-music-instrumental-sounds](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-13-reception-music-instrumental-sounds) #### [Reception-Music-Instrumental Sounds](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-10-13-reception-music-instrumental-sounds) In our music lesson this week, Reception had fantastic fun exploring a variety of instruments to discover the different sounds they can make. The children experimented with tapping, shaking, and scraping to compare loud, quiet, high, and low sounds. This followed on from experimenting with body sounds and vocal sounds. ![Image of Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/y6_music.jpg) 30 Sep [2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture) #### [Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture) In Year 6 music, our pupils have been riding the soundwaves as they explore how texture creates depth and shape in music! Working in groups, the children took on the role of conductor, layering different body percussion, vocal sounds, and tuned instruments to build up 'wave' improvisations. They learned how adding and taking away different sounds changes the thickness of the musical texture—just like waves rolling in and out on the beach. To finish, the children recorded their original group ideas using creative graphic scores to capture every unique layer. ![Image of Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/y6_music.jpg) 30 Sep [2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture-1](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture-1) #### [Year 6 - Music - Exploring Texture](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-09-30-year-6-music-exploring-texture-1) In Year 6 music, our pupils have been riding the soundwaves as they explore how texture creates depth and shape in music! Working in groups, the children took on the role of conductor, layering different body percussion, vocal sounds, and tuned instruments to build up 'wave' improvisations. They learned how adding and taking away different sounds changes the thickness of the musical texture—just like waves rolling in and out on the beach. To finish, the children recorded their original group ideas using creative graphic scores to capture every unique layer. ![Image of Reception- Music- Expressing Ourselves](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/Collage_2026-07-08_14_47_14.jpg) 8 Jul [2026-07-08-reception-music-expressing-ourselves](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-07-08-reception-music-expressing-ourselves) #### [Reception- Music- Expressing Ourselves](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-07-08-reception-music-expressing-ourselves) In Reception this week the children have been putting their learning of music into practice. Using the different instruments to make a beat and then develop it into a song that they know. We then took it to the next level and used the role play outfits to put on a music show. Singing our favourite songs and making up lots of different actions. We had so much fun! ![Image of Year 6: Chip Party](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/Collage_2026-06-15_11_40_46.jpg) 16 Jun [2026-06-16-year-6-chip-party](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-06-16-year-6-chip-party) #### [Year 6: Chip Party](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-06-16-year-6-chip-party) In preparation for the leavers service, year 6 attended a "chip party" where they learnt songs, that they will be performing, and of course had chips too! ![Image of Nursery And Pre-School - Music -Loud And Quiet](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/4cccda22-945f-487a-9ab3-6ea7362ab8b0.jpg) 20 May [2026-05-20-nursery-and-pre-school-music-loud-and-quiet](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-05-20-nursery-and-pre-school-music-loud-and-quiet) #### [Nursery And Pre-School - Music -Loud And Quiet](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-05-20-nursery-and-pre-school-music-loud-and-quiet) This week, our Nursery and Pre-School children explored the concepts of "loud" and "quiet" during their music lesson. The session began in a circle, where the children were introduced to visual prompts representing different volumes. They practiced regulating their voices, matching their vocal output to the picture shown. Next, each child selected a musical instrument. Using the same visual cues, they experimented with how to physically play their instruments to create both loud and quiet sounds. To conclude the lesson, the children took turns demonstrating their new skills to the class. Each child proudly performed a solo, choosing their own volume level to showcase. It was a wonderful session that built both musical confidence and control. ![Image of Nursery And Pre-School - Music - Whats In The Bag](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/7beae4e8-cc53-4f24-8cf8-04cf499d5027.jpg) 29 Apr [2026-04-29-nursery-and-pre-school-music-whats-in-the-bag](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-04-29-nursery-and-pre-school-music-whats-in-the-bag) #### [Nursery And Pre-School - Music - Whats In The Bag](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-04-29-nursery-and-pre-school-music-whats-in-the-bag) Taking advantage of the beautiful sunshine, the children in Nursery and Preschool gathered outside this week to enjoy a lovely session of refreshments and music. This outdoor setting provided a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere for the children to engage in a group singing activity using our "What’s in the Bag?" mystery bag. The children practiced their patience and turn-taking skills as they waited to see what was hidden inside the bag. Each child had the opportunity to choose a toy, which acted as a visual prompt to identify a specific nursery rhyme. For example, finding a star prompted a rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle," while a bus led to "The Wheels on the Bus." This activity was a fantastic way for the children to build their confidence in singing as part of a group and to practice their memory skills as they recalled the lyrics and associated actions. It was a joy to see everyone happily singing together in the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine and the company of their friends. ![Image of Year 5 Dance: West End In Schools Workshop](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/e35bc1e5-5fff-41b6-8484-98c0f5ee855a.jpg) 11 Mar [2026-03-11-year-5-dance-west-end-in-schools-workshop](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-03-11-year-5-dance-west-end-in-schools-workshop) #### [Year 5 Dance: West End In Schools Workshop](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-03-11-year-5-dance-west-end-in-schools-workshop) Our Year 5 pupils had an incredible time bringing the story of Chinese New Year to life this week! We were thrilled to welcome West End in Schools for an energetic dance workshop. The children didn't just learn the choreography; they fully embraced their roles, leaping and grooving as they transformed into the different animals from the traditional tale. From mastering tricky dance steps to exploring cultural history through movement, the energy in the hall was electric! A huge thank you to West End in Schools for such an inspiring and fun-filled session. ![Image of Year 6: Lunar New Year Workshop](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/720x440c/news/Collage_2026-03-11_08_13_05.jpg) 11 Mar [2026-03-11-year-6-lunar-new-year-workshop](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-03-11-year-6-lunar-new-year-workshop) #### [Year 6: Lunar New Year Workshop](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/news/2026-03-11-year-6-lunar-new-year-workshop) This week year 6 celebrated the Lunar New Year with a dance workshop. 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