Singing is such a vital part of the music curriculum. It not only teachers rhythm, pitch and internalisation of sounds, but also helps promote self-confidence, improves literacy, facilitates articulation and encourages deep breathing.
All of the schools in DASP teach singing as part of the curriculum and many bring children together for whole-year or whole-school singing opportunities. Most of the schools have at least one school choir and there are several singing ensembles run by DASP Music.
All of the schools in DASP teach singing as part of the curriculum and many bring children together for whole-year or whole-school singing opportunities. Most of the schools have at least one school choir and there are several singing ensembles run by DASP Music.
Singing Strategy
With funding from the government (via Dorset Music Service), we have been able to run several singing projects over the last few years, with the aim being to improve the delivery and opportunities for singing across the pyramid.
2016-2017
First Schools:
Each first school will receive singing workshops to help them to prepare towards the Year 4 concert. Resources will be made available for the teachers and students to rehearse independently.
Each first school will also receive four workshops aimed at developing singing in reception children.
Middle Schools and THS:
120 students from across the middle schools and THS will take part in a musical theatre workshop with professionals from the West End at the Weymouth Pavilion. It will result in a performance for parents with harmony singing, theatrical performance techniques and choreography.
Each first school will receive singing workshops to help them to prepare towards the Year 4 concert. Resources will be made available for the teachers and students to rehearse independently.
Each first school will also receive four workshops aimed at developing singing in reception children.
Middle Schools and THS:
120 students from across the middle schools and THS will take part in a musical theatre workshop with professionals from the West End at the Weymouth Pavilion. It will result in a performance for parents with harmony singing, theatrical performance techniques and choreography.
2015-2016
First Schools:
Each first school will receive singing workshops to help them to prepare towards the Year 4 concert. Resources will be made available for the teachers and students to rehearse independently.
Middle Schools:
A new middle schools classical choir will be funded for one term. They will work towards performances with the THS singers and Imperial College Symphony Orchestra and the DASP Christmas concert.
Middle Schools and THS:
200 students from across the middle schools and THS will take part in a workshop with ACM Gospel Choir at Weymouth Pavilion, resulting in a large scale performance for parents.
THS:
30 Ukuleles will be purchased for use within the year 9 curriculum to promote the use of singing in year 9. A new THS ukulele group will also be offered.
Each first school will receive singing workshops to help them to prepare towards the Year 4 concert. Resources will be made available for the teachers and students to rehearse independently.
Middle Schools:
A new middle schools classical choir will be funded for one term. They will work towards performances with the THS singers and Imperial College Symphony Orchestra and the DASP Christmas concert.
Middle Schools and THS:
200 students from across the middle schools and THS will take part in a workshop with ACM Gospel Choir at Weymouth Pavilion, resulting in a large scale performance for parents.
THS:
30 Ukuleles will be purchased for use within the year 9 curriculum to promote the use of singing in year 9. A new THS ukulele group will also be offered.
2014-2015
First Schools:
Each First School will get a musical theatre workshop on 'character singing' aimed at KS2 children. The focus will be on encouraging involvement of all and helping to break down inhibitions. There will also be opportunities for first school teachers to access singing training and be provided with reusable resources.
Middle Schools:
Each Middle School will have a workshop aimed at year 7 boys. The hope is to encourage more boys to engage in singing generally. This will result in the formation of a new DASP boys vocal group, The Treblemakers. BOSS (THS Boys vocal group) and Harmony will also go 'on tour' from THS to visit the Middle Schools as part of this project.
The Thomas Hardye School:
As well as THS groups touring the middle schools, KS4 students will be able to access a song-writing workshop with Steve Wilson.
Each First School will get a musical theatre workshop on 'character singing' aimed at KS2 children. The focus will be on encouraging involvement of all and helping to break down inhibitions. There will also be opportunities for first school teachers to access singing training and be provided with reusable resources.
Middle Schools:
Each Middle School will have a workshop aimed at year 7 boys. The hope is to encourage more boys to engage in singing generally. This will result in the formation of a new DASP boys vocal group, The Treblemakers. BOSS (THS Boys vocal group) and Harmony will also go 'on tour' from THS to visit the Middle Schools as part of this project.
The Thomas Hardye School:
As well as THS groups touring the middle schools, KS4 students will be able to access a song-writing workshop with Steve Wilson.
2013-2014
In the year 2013-2014, we bought in the services of Jenny Deacon, a Rock Choir leader from Southampton, to run workshops with children from all schools. This culminated in a big performance with all schools taking part.
Year 4 DASP Concert
Every year the year 4 students at each of the 13 first schools in the pyramid, rehearse and perform songs culminating in the Year 4 Concert in March. This annual event is organised by the teachers within each of the schools and is supported by DASP Music. Click here for photos and here for a report of this year's event.
