Year 1–8 music facilities
Apart from large schools, most year 1–8 schools do not have specialist music rooms. However, they often have an alternative space that is suitable for music.
In fact, some curriculum specialists say it is better if the bulk of the music programme takes place in general classrooms. That way, music is likely to happen more regularly and become integrated into the wider curriculum.
In a fully-rounded music programme, all classes benefit from an alternative music teaching space beyond the general classroom. This could also be a place for regular student performances.
Given this scenario, three questions need to be addressed by year 1–8 schools:
- How can facilities help make teaching music easier for generalist teachers?
- What music teaching spaces do you need beyond the general classroom?
- What performance spaces do you have that are suitable for music?
The issues raised by these questions are discussed in the next three pages.