Music and Performing Arts Faculty

From the Co-ordinator of Music and Performing Arts

Music News

As we start Term 3, we will continue from Term 2 sharing with you what is happening in curriculum Music. This week we are letting you in on what we are doing in the Senior School.

What’s happening in the Stage 4 Mandatory and Stage 5 Elective Music classes in the Senior School for Term 3? 

Stage 4 Mandatory Music

Year 7 Music: Students will learn about the concepts of tone colour and texture. Through a variety of activities, including performing a range of repertoire through singing, playing, and moving, students will develop their ability to perform musical compositions and arrangements both individually and in groups. They will experiment and improvise, enhancing their creative skills. Listening to and analysing a diverse repertoire will enable students to identify and understand how tone colour and texture are used and manipulated in different musical contexts. Students will respond to these musical examples, deepening their comprehension of these essential musical concepts.

Year 8 Music: Students will analyse, discuss, and identify key concepts and characteristics of theatre music, both Western and non-Western. Through composing their own pieces of work, listening to and analysing various musical genres, and performing in the style of musical theatre, students will gain the skill and ability to compose from various emotional perspectives. They will recognise the ways in which musical concepts shape the art of storytelling, extend their knowledge of musical genres, compose and perform from various angles of musical complexity, and recognise the impact that theatre has had on the music industry in general. This unit will challenge students to think of composition and performance beyond what they hear, considering what they see, what they feel, and how particular musical techniques and decisions are essential in establishing a successful theatre production.

Stage 5 Elective Music

Year 9 Music: Students will explore a range of rock and popular music genres, examining various sub-genres and their distinctive characteristics. They will analyse compositional techniques, including melody writing, lyric writing, word-setting, song structure, and chord progressions. The unit will focus on pitch and duration, helping students understand how these elements contribute to different musical styles. By listening to and analysing a variety of song examples, students will develop their skills and deepen their appreciation for the diversity and complexity of rock and popular music.

Year 10 Music: Students will explore various styles of jazz music, including Dixieland, Bebop, Swing, and Big Band. They will focus on understanding duration through techniques like syncopation, swing rhythms, irregular time signatures, and complex drum patterns. Students will also study pitch in jazz, covering major and minor scales, blues scales, and advanced chord structures such as dominant 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths. They will investigate essential elements like the 12-bar blues, riffs, fills, walking bass lines, and distinctive jazz techniques like blue notes, shakes, drops, and scoops. Through examining different jazz styles and prominent performers, students will develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse features and evolution of jazz music.

Curriculum Questions

If you have questions about curriculum or how we can support your child’s journey at Pittwater House through music, please feel free to contact Mr David Cosentino at: David.Cosentino@tphs.nsw.edu.au 

Performing Arts News

Term 3 is an exciting time for the performing arts. Throughout this term, our musical ensembles, dance companies, and theatre sports teams will be participating in several events.

It is never too late to join an ensemble, if you are interested, please contact performingarts@tphs.nsw.edu.au for more details.

Senior Theatre Sports

Will be working towards the Senior Performing Arts night this term. The troupe has been working very successfully throughout the first semester competing in their first Theatre Sports Competition and have learnt many skills along the way.

Dance Companies

Last term, our Junior Company performed at our Junior Performing Arts Night and at the annual Ravenswood Showcase. Throughout this term, we will see all our Dance Companies performing at various showcases and competitions. We are looking forward to seeing our Senior Companies perform at our Senior Performing Arts night, at the end of the term.

Music Ensembles

Last term, many of our ensembles performed at numerous competitions and events. As always, we are very proud of the effort and commitment that all our students show representing the school at these events. This term will continue to support our school and local community providing music for many occasions. Along with our other ensembles, the musical ensembles will be performing at our annual Senior Performing Arts Night at the end of term.

Performing Arts Ensemble Canvas Page

The Performing Arts Ensembles have a dedicated Canvas Page where communications regarding rehearsals and performances are posted. It is important that students/families have access to this page to keep up to date.  Invitations have been sent multiple times to families.  If you do not have access to this canvas page, please let your ensemble manager know at the next rehearsal.

Private Music Tuition 

We have a group of private tutors who are experienced teachers and achieve great results. If you are interested in having Private Music Lessons at Pittwater House during the school day, please email fill in the private tuition form on: 

https://forms.office.com/r/GhQghpAhvs

Enrichment Opportunities 

We are looking for students to perform in our Senior School Assemblies. If your child is interested in performing, please email your child’s interest to: performingarts@tphs.nsw.edu.au