MUSIC update
Music Update Important Diary Date: Thursday 11th September PM (Time TBC) - 2025
Whole School Production!! Our Grade 1/2 students have been developing their sense of beat and rhythm by playing a variety of percussion instruments. They're also learning to read and write simple rhythms using "ta," "ti-ti," and "za" (a rest). Keep an ear out at home—your young musicians might just teach you some of our new songs that have “za” (rests) such as Mister Sun, Candles Burning Bright and Five Frogs.
In addition to rhythm work, students have been learning about different musical instruments and discovering which families they belong to—such as strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
I would also like to inform you that over the next few weeks the 1/2 students will be discussing topics related to the Stolen Generations, supported by songs shared by artist Jessie Lloyd. These conversations will be approached with care and in an age appropriate way, and students may wish to talk with you at home about what they are learning.
Our Grade 3/4 students have been learning to play the C, G, F, and Am chords on the ukulele, building both their confidence and their coordination when strumming and changing between chords. It's been fantastic to hear their progress as they begin to play songs using these chords!
In addition to instrumental work, students have been diving deeper into the elements of music—such as tempo, dynamics, and timbre—through their listening journals. This reflective activity helps them tune in closely to the music they hear and describe what makes it unique.
To top it all off, they've been building on their beat and rhythm skills through body percussion during the game Switch, which combines rhythm, movement, and quick thinking in a fun and active way.
Our Grade 5/6 students have been continuing to build their skills on the ukulele. They’ve been working on changing between chords smoothly, focusing on accuracy and timing as they transition between familiar shapes to play more complex progressions with confidence.
In class, students have also been analysing pop songs to identify and understand the elements of music—such as tempo, dynamics, texture and timbre. This active listening helps them connect what they hear to what they’re learning, deepening their appreciation for how music is crafted.
As composers, they’ve been creating their own short rhythmic pieces, learning about ternary form (ABA) to structure their work with contrast and repetition.
Pictured: Compositions written by Nell Webber and Saisha Hans
