Following a conductor when singing rounds
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can follow a conductor when singing a round to know when it's my turn to sing.
Key learning points
- A conductor uses clear hand signals to keep us in time.
- It is important to listen and feel the pulse so our part of the round stays in time.
- We can thicken the texture of a song by dividing a round into more parts.
- We usually sing a round at least the same number of times as there are parts.
Keywords
Round - a singing structure in which a melody is sung in groups, with each group starting at regular intervals to create texture
Pulse - the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
Conductor - a person who directs musicians or singers
Tempo - how fast or slow the music is played
Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds
Common misconception
Conductors are only needed to lead orchestras.
Conductors can direct any group of musicians - singers or instrumentalists. They can help each voice enter a round at the correct time.
Teacher tip
Establish clear and consistent hand gestures for conducting in your classroom and encourage all pupils to conduct with the same gestures. You may like to create these and agree on them with the pupils.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which two ways can we show the steady pulse when singing or listening to music?
Q2.When we layer different singing groups together we are adding to the and making it thicker.
Q3.What is tempo?
Q4.Match the song structure to its definition.
a song sung in groups, with each group starting at regular intervals
two or more songs that fit together musically when sung to same beat
a question and answer musical structure
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of these are top tips for conductors of round songs?
Q2.What does this conductor gesture mean?
Q3.The more parts we divide a round into, the the texture.
Q4.If a round is divided into four groups singing, how many layers thick is the round?
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Following a conductor when singing rounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 music lesson on: Following a conductor when singing rounds, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 music lessons from the Singing for performance: holding a second part in rounds and partner songs unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.