William Shakespeare knew a thing or two about music….....”the man that hath no music in himself………..let no such man be trusted” – Merchant of Venice.

At All Saints'School, Cockermouth, we trust in music. From day one children are encouraged to open themselves to its power and what it can do for them. All children are encouraged to sing, it is such a vital part of their development as individuals and socially.
Singing occurs in all classrooms with teachers and in regular sessions with other children in assemblies. There is a weekly choir session for Key Stage 1 children.

Curriculum music is delivered through class teachers where they begin to learn through listening, composing and performing and have the opportunity to combine singing with playing percussion instruments.
The school music policy is that every child should have the opportunity to learn an instrument and leave at the end of year 6 able to read music. To this end keyboard, recorder and guitar lessons are delivered by Mr Melville who also runs the school choir every Friday. Violin, woodwind, cello, brass and percussion lessons are available through a number of peripatetic music teachers. All of this activity creates a vibrant atmosphere in the school, where the sound of music emanates from every corner, and it will also hopefully lead to the development of a school orchestra.

Research has shown that music has specific effects on the body’s physiology including heart rate, respiration and mental activity. Here are some suggestions from Prof Daniel Levitin, a neuroscientist at McGill University Montreal.

Studying/Working- Mozart, Divertimenti for winds; John Coltrane, Ballads; Mike Oldfield, Tubular bells.

Household Chores – Sarah McLachlin, Wintersong; AC/DC, Back in the Black; McFly, Baby’s coming back.

Exercise – Avril Lavigne, The Village People; Madonna, Hung up; Irene Cara, What a Feeling.

Relaxing – Bach, Oboe Concertos; Bill Evans, The Village Vanguard Sessions; Brahms Lullaby; Peter Paul & Mary, Greatest Hits.

Romance – Amerie; Akon, Konvicted; Ella Fitzgerald, The Cole Porter Songbook.

In the words of the great bard “……play on.”