Early Years Music Programme 2024

16th July 2024 by Jamie

In partnership with SKY & Resonate Music Hubs and LIPA Primary & High School, SoMi Academy delivered an Early Years Kodaly-based music programme and CPD package with selected schools across Merseyside in 2024.

In collaboration with Elza Lusher (author of the Dogs & Birds piano course for 3-7 year olds), SoMi Academy has delivered a fully funded package to eight selected schools, including:

a 10-week taster programme of weekly small-ensemble music sessions
twilight CPD training sessions in EYFS music, creativity & performance
two introductory half-days of in-class training for Reception class teachers.

Each weekly small-ensemble session lasts up to 40 minutes for a maximum of 9 pupils, for up to 4 groups per day per school (up to 36 EYFS children).

An overview of the programme schedule is as follows:

Introductory event for lead-teachers from Participating Schools – Thursday 11th April 2024 (4-5pm), hosted at LIPA Primary & High School
Weekly in-school small group ensemble sessions between 15th April 2024 – 28th June 2024
Eight twilight CPD sessions between 15th April 2024 – 28th June 2024 (4-5.30m)
Two in-class training half-days in each partner school, delivered by our lead teacher trainer Rachael Diop
End of course evaluation & celebration event – Thursday 11th July (4-5.30pm), hosted at LIPA Primary & High School

The goals of the Kodály approach can summarised into the following points:

Music is for everyone.
Music teaching should be sequential and begin with the child in mind.
Children should be taught music from an early age.
The sequence should be logical and follow the same process children learn language.
Music classes should be enjoyable and engaging.
Singing is the first and most valuable tool for learning musical concepts.
Teachers should pull from quality folk song materials in the “mother tongue” of the students.

“This is an amazing opportunity for early years settings to lay the foundations of developing a sustainable high quality music curriculum. By starting at the age of 4, children can start to build lifelong skills in music and benefit from the advantages of early development in music.”

Rachael Diop – Teacher Trainer for The Voices Foundation

Dogs & Birds Group Instrumental Lesson Showcase

Feedback Map

A selection of feedback from participating schools.

“SoMi Academy have developed our music curriculum since 2014, initially through delivering Kodaly-based classroom music sessions, and then developing a bespoke CPD package to make music sustainable. The integration of the classroom and instrumental music lessons has made LIPA Primary & High School a beacon for good practice in music and the performing arts”

– Greg Parker, Executive Headteacher of LIPA MAT.

In The Press

Event Videos

Vision & Next Steps

Staff Challenges

Planning time for subjects like music
Getting the most out of screen-based schemes
Creating consistent progression from EYFS to Y6
Integrating all music that happens in school

Opportunities

Our education landscape is changing
Greater emphasis on soft skills with AI revolution
New investment in education technology
Better understanding of the benefits of music
Changing political landscape

Our Ambition

To improve approaches to music making at primary level, in line with our Kodaly principles
To create a comprehensive platform for music learning
Integrated full class curriculum with co-curricular instrumental development
Gamifying music learning and bringing it back to life in the classroom
Pupils bring developing instrumental skills into coordinated group ensemble activity, building collaboration, sympathetic listening & improvisation

Next Steps for Schools

What do you need to take music to the next level in your school?
How to ensure sustainability?
What support do you need?
How can our relationship develop in the coming years?