The Importance of Singing in your Music Curriculum
Not only is singing a key component of the National Curriculum for Music, but it is also an integral part of developing young musicians and fostering a long-lasting love of music. While many teachers incorporate singing at particular points in the academic year, this blog explores what singing consistently throughout the year can do for your pupils’ musicianship and well-being.
Everyone’s a singer!
The voice is an instrument that everyone can access…and already owns! For Music Leads worried about department budget constraints, singing is free, instantly making the teaching of singing an equitable way for pupils to learn an instrument. Positive and frequent early singing experience can really shape musical identity for young people, and the group experience of singing normalises involvement in an activity where ability does not matter. Joining together in song frequently helps build collective confidence; a great foundation to build upon as pupils progress through their musical education.
Singing and mental health
Singing has been researched to have a significantly positive impact upon mental health. It requires regulated and consistent breathing, encouraging pupils to feel calmer with something to focus on. Singing collectively in a group (be that in a whole-school singing assembly, in class, or at choir practice) can strengthen a sense of belonging for pupils, which, in turn, boosts morale and positive mental health. Research also suggests that singing releases endorphins as well as dopamine, improving your mood, so incorporating singing in morning assemblies could be a great way to set up the day!
Foundation of musical progression
Collective singing is an excellent way to help pupils build key foundations of musical progression, without realising! As they sing, pupils will naturally gain a sense of pulse through the songs they sing, developing their understanding of rhythm. The more pupils sing, the more they’ll develop accurate pitch, particularly through call and response modelling. This will really support pupils with their ensemble skills and musicality through exposure to singing. With good modelling, pupils will hear expressive singing, developing an understanding of the inter-related dimensions of music, developing an awareness of dynamics, tempo and articulation.
Sharpen musicality
Pupils can really develop their musicality through group singing. Hearing good modelling of pitch, dynamics and musical phrasing will help pupils internalise their awareness of the key elements of music. This will then, in turn, show up in their own musical output, through singing itself, instrumental playing or independent composition. Ensemble singing also supports pupils’ understanding of the effectiveness of texture, particularly when exposed to singing in unison and harmony.
Oracy development
Singing is such an excellent way to broaden pupils’ vocabulary. Engaging in a wide variety of repertoire can really help pupils build an understanding of language and, in turn, support their own language skills and creative writing. Incorporating a song when introducing a new topic is a great way to feed in topical vocabulary to support pupils' understanding of a new unit. The repetitive nature of verse/chorus structures also helps engrain vocabulary and supports grammar and sentence structure; particularly useful for pupils who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL). Performing songs will also help pupils to build confidence, and practice voice projection; transferable skills to presenting and articulating ideas in class and in front of an audience that pupils will retain for the rest of their lives.
Retention and retrieval
Pupils can build their retention and retrieval skills through the repetitive nature of many songs. Verse-Chorus structures are excellent for strengthening musical recall and repetitive melodies really help pupils embed their understanding of pitch and developing aural skills. Singing can be a great opportunity for pupils to develop their long-term memory skills, with patterns of melody and sequencing of language and musical phrases embedded within the memory. There is research to suggest the association of melody with words, which is useful for children who struggle to retain language.
Sense of community and sharing of culture
Singing is such a wonderful way to share culture and identity amongst pupils. It can create a real sense of belonging and connection, allowing pupils to feel seen and valued by their school community when their home language or culture is represented through song. Music is a valuable vehicle for celebrating diversity and promoting cultural awareness and involvement in musical traditions from around the world. So many different cultures have specific musical styles and techniques that can be explored through song.
Singing is a powerful vehicle for musical understanding, language development, and collective well-being. Singing together fosters strong social bonds between pupils and a shared sense of purpose and identity within the school community. All units in Get Set 4 Music include singing to support both musical and holistic development. At Get Set, we prioritise singing, recognising its importance for expression, connection, and lifelong musical engagement.
Don’t forget to explore our ever-growing Singing Assemblies folder in your Awesome Stuff area, which features a wide range of repertoire to engage your pupils in singing.