The Model Music Curriculum (MMC) supports pupils in Years 3 and 4 by deepening their musical understanding and expanding their practical skills. At this stage, children begin to sing a broader range of songs with greater pitch control, expression, and awareness of dynamics. They are introduced to rounds and partner songs, which help develop ensemble skills and musical independence. Singing becomes more structured, with attention to phrasing and vocal technique, preparing pupils for more complex musical tasks. Music Maestro Primary helps teachers to bring this to life.
In terms of instrumental and compositional development, pupils start to read and perform from staff notation, using a limited range of notes (e.g. do–so). They compose short melodic and rhythmic phrases using known note values and begin to explore pentatonic scales and simple chord structures. Improvisation is encouraged through echo and question-and-answer phrases, helping pupils to structure musical ideas with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They also begin to use music technology and graphic notation to record and refine their compositions.
The MMC also places strong emphasis on listening and appraisal, exposing pupils to a wide variety of musical genres, traditions, and historical contexts. This includes Western classical music, pop, jazz, and world music, helping children to develop musical vocabulary and cultural awareness. Pupils learn to identify musical elements such as tempo, dynamics, and texture, and apply this understanding to their own performances and compositions. Overall, the curriculum ensures that pupils in Years 3 and 4 build a solid foundation in musical literacy, creativity, and collaborative performance.
UNIT 3.1 - Make notes ELS (pdf)
DownloadUNIT 4.1 - Doing the rounds ELS (pdf)
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