Music Opportunities at Moorfield School
The music department emphasizes fun, exciting learning experiences with high aspirations, producing successful choral groups, ensembles, and soloists. Music is woven into the fabricof school life, helping pupils develop creativity, confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of
music.
All pupils, from Nursery through to Senior 6 (Year 6), take part in regular curriculum music lessons. These cover a wide range of composers and performers from classical tocontemporary and world music genres. Every child learns to read music using traditional stave notation and TAB notation, with elements of the Kodaly method integrated into thelearning of rhythm and pitch in KS1. Recorder lessons and basic music theory are also part of the core curriculum, giving pupils practical skills from an early age. Individual and small-group lessons are available in a huge variety of instruments, taught by a team of tenspecialist peripatetic musicians. Lessons take place in four dedicated, well-equipped musicpractice and teaching rooms.
Instruments offered include:
• Strings: violin, viola, cello
• Woodwind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
• Brass: trumpet, trombone, French horn
• Guitar family: acoustic guitar, bass guitar
• Percussion: drums
• Keyboard: piano
• Voice: singing/vocals
The school runs a lively programme of extra-curricular music groups that rehearse during the school day or after school. These are open to pupils of all abilities and change dynamically each year based on talent and interest.
Current and regular groups include:
• Two vibrant choirs – one for all KS2 pupils and a small vocal ensemble
• Recorder Group
• Drumline
• Ukulele Group
• School Band – a highlight that adapts each year into different styles
These groups perform together regularly and have achieved notable success, including reaching national finals in past competitions.
Music at Moorfield is all about performance and sharing. Pupils take part in:
• Annual concerts (including a major end-of-year showcase)
• Drama productions with integrated music and songs
• Seasonal services (e.g., carol services and other celebrations)
• Community performances – at the Ilkley bandstand, in local care homes, and at school open events
Pupils are actively encouraged to enter local and regional events, building resilience and performance experience. Regular highlights include:
• Wharfedale Festival of Piano and Song
• Skipton Music Festival