Playlist Project
1 - Milestones
Jazz is an aural tradition with a unique harmonic, rhythmic and melodic language all of its own. However, it is a genre that non specialist music teachers can feel less confident about engaging with and sharing with their students.
Our innovative resource programme designed for Key Stage 2 Primary Schools is all about listening and requires no jazz or music experience on behalf of the delivering teacher. Our Playlist Project was inspired by a viral facebook video in which a classroom of primary school children in Maryland, USA could be seen having fun singing along to Miles Davis’ tune Milestones.
We contacted the teacher, Kimberly Beasley, to find out how this came about. It turned out that the children had taught themselves the tune, including the solos, for two simple reasons: one, they liked it and two, Kimberly played a playlist containing Milestones to her class as background music a couple of times a week over the school year. Her class had subconsciously internalised the music on her playlist through repeated listening.
Milestones introduces children to diverse music and enables them to build a foundation to the world of improvisation. Listening to music is fundamental to musical understanding and helps develop other areas of musical activity including composing and performing. By learning to listen critically, children will not only expand their musical horizons but also gain a deeper understanding of how music is constructed and the impact that it can have on the listener.
“By learning to listen critically, children will not only expand their musical horizons but also gain a deeper understanding of how music is constructed and the impact that it can have on the listener.”
The project has three stages:
Stage One - Listening to a playlist several times a week (Autumn term)
Stage Two - Engaging with optional active listening classroom activities linked to the playlist tracks - a resource pack with detailed lesson plans with audio and video resources is provided (Spring term)
Stage Three - The programme culminates in the children taking part in either an interactive classroom visit video led by Helena Summerfield, or, where we have a partnership with a Music Education Hub and/or Educational establishment, a school visit by a group of jazz musicians (Summer Term)
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To introduce children to the jazz genre by engaging in a range of active listening activities
To develop aural skills - children teach themselves one or more jazz tunes by repeated listening
To support bonding and connection
To increase children’s musical skills and appreciation
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Children display increased attention span and focus in class
Children register improved levels of emotional and physical well-being
Children build an ‘aural bank’ of music and knowledge of its cultural context
Children have experienced quality recorded and/or live performances by jazz musicians
Our Partners
MIlestones is an exciting project which undertook its pilot phase in 2022/23 school year. If you are a potential partner and you would like to know more, please check out the FAQ below, or get in touch with the team.
Here are a list of partners who were involved in delivering the pilot phase.
Leeds Conservatoire
Kirkstall Valley School - Leeds
St. Mary’s C of E Primary - Manchester
Town Field Primary School - Doncaster
Marsden Junior School
St. Bede’s Catholic Primary School - Rotherham
The British International School of Marbella
Testimonials
“The children loved this project. They would actively ask to hear the music throughout the day and enjoyed singing along. They were excited when they recognised a song and enjoyed the activities. I felt the project helped them deeper understand the songs they listened to and see the complexities each had in a way we haven’t done before. The live performances at the end were fantastic and brought the project to life. The kids enjoyed the music beyond just the music lesson. It was helpful in the background for certain activities particularly the quieter songs and livelier songs are better when can can move more and make more noise.”