Intent:

The intent of CUSP Music is to provide a high-quality, evidence-led music education that develops children’s musical knowledge, competency, and confidence as musicians. The curriculum is designed to inspire children through exposure to a wide range of music, significant musicians, and musical works, connecting them to the world around them. It aims to foster a rich musical culture in schools, encouraging children to engage deeply with music. The curriculum emphasises singing, listening and appraising, composing and improvising, and instrumental performance. These areas are progressively built upon, ensuring children develop their skills and understanding over time.

The focus is on both musicality and language, with deliberate, sequenced vocabulary development to help children explore and express their musical ideas confidently.

Implementation:

CUSP Music is implemented through a carefully sequenced curriculum that supports non-specialist teachers by providing structured guidance and resources, including Knowledge Notes. These ensure that key musical concepts are revisited and embedded, helping both children and teachers stay focused on core content. The curriculum builds cumulative knowledge year by year, starting with foundational skills like singing and playing untuned instruments, and progressing to more complex areas like playing tuned instruments and appraising diverse musical styles. Each year group is exposed to different genres and artists, fostering a deep connection to music while also developing technical skills such as composing, improvising, and performing. Cognitive science principles underpin the design of the curriculum, with routines and structures that allow for sustained focus and engagement in music learning.

Impact:

The impact of CUSP Music is seen in the development of confident, skilled musicians who are able to engage with and appreciate a wide range of musical styles. Over time, children build their musical abilities, becoming more competent in playing instruments, appraising music, and expressing their own musical ideas. By revisiting key concepts and vocabulary throughout the curriculum, children develop a deep and broad understanding of music. The emphasis on exposure to diverse music and significant musical figures ensures that children are not only skilled musicians but also inspired by the rich cultural context of the music they study. Ultimately, the curriculum fosters a lifelong appreciation for music and equips children with the knowledge and confidence to continue their musical journey beyond school.