Category Archives: Music

Appreciating and Appraising Music

Music

This term in Music, the Robins in year 4 have been learning about and listening to the music of Abba.

Today, we listened to Mama Mia  and we sang along.

We also listened to their new song I Still Have Faith in You

And compared the two.

  • Andrew thought their voices sounded different and their hair was different
  • Alexie said that Mama Mia is like a party song where as their new song is more relaxed
  • William thought their style changed
  • Hollie said that both songs made her feel strong feelings
  • Millie preferred Mama Mia because you can sing along

 

 

We also listened to another one of Abba’s popular songs, Super Trouper

  • Evelyne thought it had a nice beat.
  • George said he didn’t like this song.
  • William preferred the new song.

 

 

 

Mamma Mia!

Class Work, Music

In Music on Monday morning, we listened to the song Mama Mia by Abba. Mr Lo showed the notes on a scale and what they looked like, we concentrated on the notes a and g.

Then we used the glockenspiels and with a partner and we played those notes along with the song.

Jackson Pollock (Art) Meets Gustav Holst (Music)

Art, Music

Today, Robins enjoyed listening to Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’.

Robins artwork inspired by Jackson Pollock and Gustav Holst

 

Look at us putting our thoughts onto paper as we are listening to the pieces!

 

Next we were introduced to Jackson Pollock – an influential American painter, and the leading force behind the abstract expressionist movement in the art world.

Having been inspired by Jackson Pollock. Robins had a go at making their own pieces of art using the paint flicking and blowing techniques to show stars, planets and galaxies.

 

Extension: Listen below to The Planets – Gustav Holst

Fun with Gustav Holsts

Music

Robins listened to Mars by Gustav Holsts.

Gustav Holst was a British composer best known for his orchestral suite ‘The Planets’. A suite is a group of individual pieces. There are seven pieces in ‘The Planets’ and ‘Mars, the Bringer of War’ is the first one.

In ancient Roman religion Mars was the god of war. Holst composed this piece in anticipation of the outbreak of World War One. It’s a march but an unusual one. Normally a march has 4 beats in a bar so you can say “left, right, left, right” but Mars has 5 beats in a bar; tricky to march to!

Robins used their creativity to imagine what the music could represent.

 

They also had a go at some of the percussion instruments. We look forward to making our own “War” music later in the week.

Video: Playing Abba tunes on the Glockenspiels

Class Work, Music

We only had our first lesson on Monday and now we’ve had our second lesson (Wednesday).

In this lesson we listened and appraised a few more Abba songs including Dancing Queen, The winner takes it all and …. Waterloo.

When Mr Lo first mentioned Waterloo there were a few giggles… but Mr Lo soon put them right and told them… “No…. it isn’t a toilet with water…!”

Listening to the songs many pupils expressed their opinions including

Paige – I really like the beat. I’ve heard the songs before.
Leah – I like the words （lyrics)
Tanatswa – I also like the beat
Scarlet – I can hear the guitars again.
Jessica – And we can hear the pianos.

With just two lessons, Robins have excelled again; take a sneek peek at the clip below to see the progression made!

Video: Mama Mia!

Class Work, Music

It’s a new week and a new topic! This week we’re covering Music! Robins have travelled back to the 70’s and listened to the hugely famous Mamma Mia.

First Mr Lo showed a photo of Abba and asked Robins to guess the decade it’s from. Most chose the 80’s but now we know it’s the 70s! (Abba was a Swedish pop group formed in 1972)

Robins actively listened and pointed out they could hear the drums, guitar and other percussion instruments.
Although we can’t sing the song due to the current Covid restrictions we did develop our rhythm skills and learn about musical notation.

Can you remember which notes we concentrated on? (G / A )

Here is a guide to help you remember.

Finally, Robins had a go on the Glockenspiels and even performed part of the song MamaMia. Have a look at a short clip below!

Extension: At home ask your grandparents if they can remember any more Abba hits!
Don’t forget you can access the lesson on Charanga. Go here to login –> https://charanga.com/site/ (click the pupil login button on the left)

If you can’t remember your login details; please ask Mr. Lo to let you know .