Music on Monday

Autumn 2025

This term our focus is 'Caring for Ourselves' where we will consider how we look after our own wellbeing to ensure we feel positive and make the most out of every opportunity. 

21st December

Peter and the Wolf

Sergei Prokofiev

Peter and the Wolf was written by Sergei Prokofiev, a famous Russian composer born in 1891. Prokofiev loved music from a young age—he even wrote his first opera when he was just nine years old! He became known for writing music that was full of colour, imagination, and surprises. When a children’s theatre in Moscow asked him to create a musical story for young listeners, Prokofiev decided to write something that would teach children about the instruments of the orchestra. That’s how Peter and the Wolf was born in 1936.

Peter and the Wolf is a musical story, which means it is told through both narration and orchestral music. Each character in the story is represented by a different instrument and melody:

• Peter- the strings (violins, violas, cellos, basses). Their bright, lively sound shows Peter’s bravery and curiosity.

• Grandfather- the bassoon, with its deep, grumpy tone.

• Bird- the flute, fluttery and light.

• Duck- the oboe, sounding smooth and ‘waddly’.

• Cat-  the clarinet, sneaky and slinky.

• Wolf- the French horns, bold and dangerous.

• Hunters-  the kettledrums and woodwinds, sharp and strong.

This musical storytelling helps children picture the characters even without seeing them. Prokofiev wanted young listeners to discover how music can make us imagine feelings, actions, and whole adventures.

The story begins with Peter stepping outside into the meadow- even though his grandfather has told him not to. Grandfather warns him:

“What if the wolf comes out of the forest?”

But Peter doesn’t pay attention. He thinks he knows best.

Soon, the wolf really does appear, and danger fills the meadow. Peter must think quickly and bravely to protect the bird, the cat, and himself.

In the end, Peter manages to catch the wolf, but the adventure shows him that Grandfather’s warnings were meant to keep him safe, not spoil his fun.

The story teaches an important lesson about paying attention:

• Paying attention to those who care about us- like Peter’s grandfather- can keep us safe.

• Not listening can lead to scary or difficult consequences.

• Being brave is wonderful, but being wise is important too.

At the end of the story, Peter has learned that courage and curiosity are even better when combined with care, attention, and respect.

24th November

What Else Can I Do?

Lin-Manuel Miranda

“What Else Can I Do?” is a lively, colorful song from Disney’s movie Encanto. It’s sung by the character Isabela Madrigal, who is known for making perfect, beautiful flowers. But in this song, she discovers that she can do even more than she ever thought!

The song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a famous composer, writer, and performer. He also wrote songs for Moana and created the musicals Hamilton and In the Heights. He loves making music that feels exciting and full of emotion, and this song is no different!

What Happens in the Song?

At the start, Isabela feels stuck. Everyone expects her to be perfect all the time, and she only creates neat, pretty things. But during the song, she decides to try something new. Suddenly she’s making bright, spiky, wild plants- things she never knew she could create!

As Isabela sings, she realizes that trying new things can be surprising… and fun! The song is full of energy because she’s discovering a whole new side of herself.

How It Connects to our theme of Learning New Skills…

“What Else Can I Do?” is really about learning and growing. Isabela learns that:

• It’s okay to make mistakes

• Trying something new can lead to amazing discoveries

• You don’t have to be perfect- just yourself

• New skills can appear when you give yourself the chance to explore

Just like Isabela, we all have talents we haven’t discovered yet. When we try new things, whether it’s a sport, art, music, or a new hobby- we might find abilities we never knew we had!

The song encourages us to be brave, to explore, and to keep asking, “What else can I do?”

Because the answer might be something wonderful!

17th November

You've Got a Friend in Me

Randy Newman

“You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” written by Randy Newman, is a cheerful song that reminds us how important it is to have good friends in our lives. Randy Newman is a well-known American singer, songwriter, and composer who has created music for many movies. He wrote this song for the film Toy Story, and it became one of his most famous tunes. People love his music because it’s warm, catchy, and full of feeling.

In the song, the singer promises to be there through the fun times and the tough times. Even if things get a little tricky or confusing, a true friend sticks by your side.

This message is perfect for learning about making good friendships and building strong connections with others. Good friends don’t have to be perfect. They don’t always have to know the right thing to say. What matters most is that they care, they listen, and they’re willing to help when you need it.

Just like in the song, friendship means supporting each other, sharing laughs, solving problems together, and accepting one another for who we are. When we show kindness, loyalty, and honesty—just like the characters in the song—we help create friendships that can last a long time.

So the next time you hear “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” remember: being a good friend means being there for someone, no matter what. And when you do that, you help make your world a happier, friendlier place!

10th November

Nimrod from the Enigma Variations

Edward Elgar 

Sir Edward Elgar was a famous English composer who lived from 1857 to 1934. He loved music from a very young age and learned to play many instruments. Even though he didn’t go to a music school like many other composers, he practiced a lot and became one of the most important British composers in history.

One of his most well-known pieces is called the Enigma Variations. A “variation” is when a composer takes a melody and changes it in different ways. In this piece, Elgar wrote 14 different musical variations, each one describing one of his friends. He didn’t tell anyone what the main hidden theme (the “enigma”) was, which makes the music feel like a mystery!

What is “Nimrod”?

“Nimrod” is the ninth variation in the Enigma Variations. It was written about Elgar’s close friend August Jaeger. The name “Nimrod” refers to a character from the Bible who was known as a strong hunter, and the word Jaeger actually means “hunter” in German! So Elgar used the name “Nimrod” as a secret way to represent his friend.

The music in “Nimrod” is gentle, warm, and very emotional. It begins quietly and slowly grows louder and more powerful. It feels full of love, respect, and remembrance.

Why is “Nimrod” linked to Remembrance Day?

“Nimrod” is often played at Remembrance Day services, when people come together to remember soldiers who have fought and died in wars. The music is calm and thoughtful, helping people feel peaceful while they reflect. Because the music sounds so respectful and heartfelt, it helps people think about:

Bravery

Sacrifice

Love

Memory

It gives everyone a moment to be quiet and remember people from the past.

How does “Nimrod” make people feel?

Many people say that “Nimrod” makes them feel:

Calm

Thoughtful

Sad, but also hopeful

The music doesn’t need any words- its slow rising melody helps us understand feelings that are hard to explain.

In short:

Nimrod is a beautiful and emotional piece of music written by Edward Elgar to honor a dear friend. Today, it has become a special piece used on Remembrance Day, helping us to remember and appreciate those who have given so much.

3rd November

All You're Dreaming Of

Liam Gallagher

In addition to fitting our theme of giving to others, this week’s song was also originally released as a Christmas song…..so what better way to get our Christmas term off to a good start! 

“All You’re Dreaming Of” is a beautiful song by Liam Gallagher, a famous British singer known for his strong voice and cool rock style. Liam first became famous as the lead singer of a band called Oasis, one of the biggest rock bands in the world during the 1990s (and they’re from Manchester, so pretty local to us!) Oasis wrote many songs that people still love today, like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” They were known for their powerful music and for singing about hope, dreams, and love.

After Oasis split up, Liam started making music on his own. One of his most touching songs is “All You’re Dreaming Of.” It’s a soft, gentle song that talks about love, hope, and wishing for better things — especially when times are hard. The words remind us that love and kindness are what really matter, and that these are the things everyone dreams of.

What makes this song extra special is that Liam gave all the money earned from it to charity. That means every time someone bought or listened to the song, the money went to help people in need- specifically the charity Action for Children, which supports vulnerable young people in the UK. This shows that Liam wanted to use his music to make the world a better place- not just through his words, but through real action.

The message of “All You’re Dreaming Of” fits perfectly with the idea of giving to others. It reminds us that helping people, showing love, and sharing what we can are some of the most important things we can do. Just like Liam shared his song and its profits to help others, we can all find small ways to be kind and generous in our own lives.

20th October

Symphony Finale

Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) was a very famous Indian musician who played the sitar, a long stringed instrument that makes smooth, beautiful sounds.

He helped people all over the world learn about Indian music and even worked with Western (European style) orchestras, mixing different styles of music together.

He believed that music could bring people together, no matter where they were from.

His Symphony and the Exciting Finale

Ravi Shankar wrote a Symphony- a big piece of music played by many instruments.

The finale (the last part) of this Symphony is full of energy, light, and joy.

In the finale, you can hear:

• Indian ragas (musical patterns full of feeling),

• Western orchestra sounds,

• Fast rhythms that make it feel like a celebration.

The music gets brighter and brighter, almost like something beautiful is bursting into light!

Ravi Shankar and Diwali

Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights.

It celebrates:

• Light winning over darkness,

• Good winning over evil,

• Hope and new beginnings.

As a devoted Hindu, Ravi Shankar often talked about the meaning of Diwali.

He said that Diwali is not just about lamps and fireworks- it is about the inner light and goodness that shines inside every person.

He loved how Diwali brings families together in happiness and peace, and he tried to show this feeling in his music.

How the Finale Feels Like Diwali

The finale of his Symphony sounds like Diwali in music:

• It starts gentle, like lighting the first little lamp.

• It grows brighter and happier.

• It ends in a joyful celebration- just like Diwali fireworks in the sky!

Why It’s Special

Ravi Shankar’s Symphony finale is special because:

• It mixes Indian and Western music beautifully.

• It spreads a message of peace, unity, and light.

• It gives the feeling of Diwali’s joy and hope.

13th October

Touch the Sky

Julie Fowlis - from the film Brave

“Touch the Sky” is a fun and exciting song from the Disney/Pixar movie Brave. It is sung by Scottish singer, Julie Fowlis. The music was written by Alex Mandel with help from Mark Andrews, one of the directors of the movie.

The song has a lively, upbeat style with instruments that remind you of the Scottish Highlands- like flutes and drums. It feels like running through wide-open fields or riding a horse across the hills! The rhythm is energetic and makes you want to move and explore.

What Is the Song About?

In the movie, Merida sings this song when she is riding through the forest, feeling free and brave. The lyrics are all about adventure, following your heart, and not being afraid to be yourself.

Alex Mandel and Mark Andrews wrote the song to show Merida’s spirit—wild, curious, and full of life. They wanted the song to capture the feeling of freedom and the joy of being alive.

Seeing the Beauty in Everyday Life…

“Touch the Sky” teaches us something important:

There is beauty all around us when we take the time to notice it.

Merida enjoys the wind in her hair, the colors of the forest, and the thrill of exploring the world. The song reminds us that even simple moments- running outside, feeling the sun, trying something new- can be magical.

“Touch the Sky” is a joyful, adventurous song that celebrates freedom, courage, and the beauty of everyday life. It encourages us to be brave, enjoy the world around us, and reach for our dreams!

6th October

The Climb

Miley Cyrus

“The Climb”, by American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus, is a song about working hard, believing in yourself, and learning from every step you take. She sings about life being like a big mountain that you have to climb. Sometimes the climb feels hard- there are challenges, mistakes, and moments when you might want to give up. But the song reminds us that it’s not just about reaching the top- it’s about everything you learn along the way.

When Miley sings, “There’s always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move,” she’s talking about how life is full of new things to learn. Every challenge helps you grow a little stronger and a little wiser.

Just like in school or when you’re trying something new- whether it’s learning to read, play an instrument, or make new friends- you might not get it right the first time. That’s okay! What matters most is that you keep trying, keep learning, and keep climbing.

So, “The Climb” teaches us that learning never stops. Every day is a new chance to grow, to practice, and to enjoy the journey. 

29th September

Connect It

Anna Meredith

With this week’s school theme being “Connect”, it’s the perfect opportunity to think about how connections work in music. Think of how separate sounds and beats can connect together to make a longer musical pattern, and in turn a piece of music! Composers begin by writing just one note or sound, and then connecting it to some others until something much longer and beautiful is created.  Anna Meredith describes her piece of music “Connect It” as energy being passed from one performer to another to create musical patterns.  If you watch the video of Connect It being performed, you will see a strong sense of connection between the performers- each individual playing their part, which links to another part and, in turn, creates a piece of music.

Anna Meredith is a Scottish composer who writes electronic and acoustic music. She likes to work with orchestras, bands and choreographers to create music that uses clapping, stamping, shouting and beatboxing instead of instruments.

In Anna Meredith's body percussion piece 'Connect It' a variety of rhythmic sounds and movements are passed between the performers. This musical effect is known as a canon. A canon is where two or more instruments, voices or sounds play the same music, but starting at different times.

Listen out for: The repeated rhythmic patterns and sounds made by people using their bodies as instruments. Timbre is how sound is used in a piece of music. Maybe how an instrument is chosen or played in a special way. Connect it uses the body and explores how different sounds can be made by different parts of the body and voice for effect.

22nd September

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

Shakira

Colombian singer songwriter, Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” is full of energy, with drums, singing, and dancing that make you want to move! The song celebrates the football World Cup, but it also reminds us of something very important: the strength, joy, and hard work of people in Africa and all around the world.

Now, let’s think about fair trade. Fair trade means making sure that the people who grow our food, make our clothes, or create the things we use are treated fairly. That means:

• They get a fair price for their work.

• They work in safe places.

• They have the chance to improve their lives and communities.

Africa is home to a large number of Fairtrade-certified producer organizations and a large percentage of the global fair trade workforce.  This is something that should be celebrated, maintained- and even improved upon further. 

Shakira’s song tells us to come together, to support each other, and to celebrate everyone’s talents. That’s just like the idea of fair trade- when we choose fair trade products (like chocolate, bananas, or coffee), we are cheering for farmers and workers the same way we cheer for a soccer team. We are saying: “We see you, we believe in you, and we want you to win!”

So, next time you hear Shakira sing “This time for Africa,” remember: it’s also about lifting up people everywhere. By choosing fair trade, we can all play on the same team- the team that’s fair, kind, and strong together. 

15th September

Chariots of Fire

Vangelis

Have you heard the famous piece of music called “Chariots of Fire”? It was written by a composer named Vangelis, who came from Greece. Vangelis loved using electronic instruments to make music that feels big, powerful, and full of energy.

This music was written for a film, also called Chariots of Fire. The movie tells the story of runners in the Olympic Games who work hard, train every day, and never give up on their dreams. The most famous scene shows the athletes running along a beach while Chariots of Fire plays in the background. Many people still think of running whenever they hear the song!

The music starts off gently with a piano, then builds stronger and stronger, just like a runner who starts slow but then finds their rhythm. It reminds us that being physically active- running, swimming, playing games, or even dancing, can feel exciting and powerful. It also shows that with determination and practice, we can achieve amazing things.

So when you hear Chariots of Fire, imagine yourself moving, playing, and reaching for your goals. Just like the athletes in the film, you can use energy, courage, and effort to keep moving forward!

The first link above takes us to the original version of the music, set to the iconic scene in the film Chariots of Fire.

However, you may enjoy the this link a little more- it takes us to a version recorded in 2012, for the opening ceremony of the London Olympic games….

Chariots of Fire at the 2012 Olympic Games…….

The music Chariots of Fire is so famous that it was even used at the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony! During the ceremony, the music played while the British comedian Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson) joined in a funny performance with the London Symphony Orchestra. He pretended to play just one note on the keyboard while looking very bored, but then he daydreamed about running in the famous beach scene from the Chariots of Fire film.

The audience laughed, but at the same time, the music reminded everyone of the spirit of the Olympics- running, competing, and doing your best. It was a fun way to show how important this piece of music has become in sports and celebrations all around the world.

8th September

Mr Blue Sky

Electric Light Orchestra

Mr. Blue Sky is a cheerful song by a band called Electric Light Orchestra (people often call them ELO for short). The song was released in 1977, and ever since, it has been making people smile and feel brighter inside.

The song is all about how, after days of rain and grey skies, the sun finally comes out. When the “blue sky” appears, the world feels new, fresh, and exciting again. It’s like when you wake up after being sad or tired, and suddenly you feel full of energy and ready to play, laugh, or try something new.

Electric Light Orchestra are an English band. They got together in the 1970s and became famous for mixing rock music with classical instruments like violins, cellos, and pianos. That’s why their music sounds so rich and full- it’s a little bit like an orchestra at a concert mixed with a pop band on stage.  Their leader, Jeff Lynne, wanted to make music that was colourful and joyful, and you can really hear that in Mr. Blue Sky.

Songs can be more than just fun—they can also help us feel better inside. Mr. Blue Sky is a great example of how music is good for our mental wellbeing- it gives us feelings of:

• Hope after sadness: Just like clouds move away to show the sun, sad or gloomy feelings don’t last forever. There’s always a chance for brighter days.

• Energy and movement: The bouncy rhythm of the song makes people want to move, clap, or dance- great for lifting your mood.

• Gratitude: The song reminds us to notice and enjoy the good moments in life, like sunshine, laughter, or playing with friends.

• Connection: When lots of people sing or dance along to Mr. Blue Sky, it creates a sense of togetherness. Sharing joy is a powerful way to feel less alone.

Whenever you hear Mr. Blue Sky, think of it as a musical hug. It’s a reminder that even if you’re feeling cloudy inside, the blue sky will return. Just like the weather changes, so do feelings- and that’s completely okay.

3rd September

Hall of Fame

The Script

This is a great song to start of our term, where we will be focusing on aiming high in everything we do. This song sends a message to believe in the impossible and that you can be anything and do anything you desire with hard work and determination.  It encourages you to listen to your dreams and believe in yourself, reminding us that we will never succeed if we don't at least try.