Music & Choir

Term 1, Week 10

Hello everyone!

I can’t believe that the end of Term 1 is already here!

Please see below for:

Term 1 snapshot of activities in and around the Music Room
Looking ahead to Term 2
What's (musically) on in our community!

Foundation

This term, students in Foundation have:

explored their singing, speaking and drama voices
creatively used dancing scarves and movement to express what they hear
developed their sense of beat through use of percussion instruments (clave sticks, egg shakers)
improvised movements for others to follow
Been introduced to songs from musicals - 'You've Got A Friend in Me' (Toy Story) and 'A Spoonful of Sugar' (Mary Poppins)
Learnt songs about our world - The Seven Continents and Five Oceans Song

Grades 1 and 2

Showbie folder - 2025 Grades 1/2 Musical Maestros 🔆

What we have learnt in our music lessons?

Share some of the educational videos, songs, dances and theatre from around the globe just by opening your child's Grades 1 and 2 Showbie Folder. Most students have joined - if they have not, the join code is ATM2W

Grade 1 students have been busy preparing a 'Greeting Dance' called 'Kungsi' and will be performing this at the Chinese Day Assembly.

Grade 2's - Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

Grades 3 and 4

Showbie folder - 2025 Grades 3/4 Musical Marvels! ⚡️

What we have learnt in our music lessons?

Share some of the educational videos, songs, dances and theatre from around the globe - ask your child to open their Grades 3 and 4 Music Showbie Folder. Most students have joined - if not, the join code is 3RUV6

3A - Hot Cross Buns - Body Percussion Rhythms

Grades 5 and 6

Showbie Music Folders

What have we learnt in our music lessons?

Share some of the educational videos, songs, dances and theatre from around the globe - ask your child to open their Music Showbie Folder!

Grade 5 - 2025 Grade 5 Fabulous Musicians! 🌟 - the join code is DRBTC

Grade 6 - 2025 Grade 6 Unified Ukes! 😎 - the join code is BYEQ9

5T - Rehearsing for Chinese Day Assembly Performance

Coming up in Term 2......

Grades 5 and 6 Opera Excursion - Friday 9th May

'The Lyrebird's Voice'

Students in Grades 5 and 6 will join Victorian Opera in a series of four online workshops and a live performance of the opera, The Lyrebird’s Voice – a brand-new opera which explores identity, the power of being different, and the strength of your voice.

The story was created by six people between 15 and 20 years old from a range of cultural backgrounds, in collaboration with musical director Peter Rutherford. They delved into their experiences of adolescence and the difficulty of finding their place in Australia.

The music:

‘The Lyrebird’s Voice’ features opera’s most iconic arias and duets, such as the ‘Flower Duet’ from Lakmé, ‘Habanera’ from Carmen, ‘Queen of the Night’ from The Magic Flute and ‘I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General’ from The Pirates of Penzance. Students will hear a huge range of easily recognisable, famous classical music, including works by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and Wagner.

To familiarise students with the music from the opera, I have put these songs in their Showbie Music Folder. They can also be found in the official Spotify playlist by the Victorian Opera:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2egpwEoEd7THATLstveway?si=e0c42dca39434692

Choir (Grades 4-6)

The final Choir trial for Grades 4-6 students was held on Monday. Thanks to all students who came along to the trials to discover what happens in a School Choir. Even if you have decided not to commit to being in the 2025 Choir, I’m so proud of you for branching out and trying something new. Well done!

Choir Showbie Folder

Choristers remaining in Choir have access to the Showbie Choir Folder. Please ensure your child has joined this. The join code is CAP74.

Mr Merlino and I are excited to begin Term 2 with our committed new choristers and look forward to preparing for our first performance!

The Choir will perform next term at the following events:

BPS Open Night
School assembly
Mid-Year Soiree

Times and dates will be added to Compass and the Choir Showbie folder once details are confirmed.

Choir Performance Clothing

Plain short-sleeved coloured tee - bright colours preferred - see photo (NO collars, patterns or logos please)
Plain black full-length leggings / pants / trousers / skirt (black full-length leggings or opaque (not sheer) stockings under skirts - NO bare legs please
Black socks & shoes
Long hair tied off face (hair accessories to match hair colour)
NO colourful bows etc.
Short hair neatly brushed
NO make-up or jewellery to be worn (stud / sleeper earrings only)

This attire was chosen as most Choir members have said they already own these items. If not, you could borrow a coloured tee from a friend or purchase from stores like Target, Kmart, Big W or Best & Less (approximately $4.00).

'Movement Monday' with our Music & Band Captains

Thanks to Amy and Olivia for their suggestion of replacing 2024's 'Footloose Friday' to Movement Mondays! They have been doing a great job setting up on Monday and choosing songs for students (and parents) to come and groove to!

So.... come and join us at 8.45am on Mondays outside the gym! See you next term!

BPS Community Piano

I cannot tell you how much of an absolute joy it has been to hear (and see) our students coming together to appreciate Wilda - our 110 year old Wertheim piano! Located outside the Music Room, students come to play, listen and dance - there has not been one recess or lunchtime where the piano has not been played!

Students have been very respectful of the rules which we made together and are displayed outside the Music Room. I am so proud of how they encourage each other and show their appreciation of performers.

It is wonderful to see our youngest students looking up to their peers. I love how our pianists have been teaching their friends how to play. It is so inspiring and I encourage EVERYONE to come and play! Music really is a true gift and I am blessed I get to hear Wilda being played every single day.

Student Suggestions for Bell Music

Earlier this term I asked students in Grades 1 to 6 which songs they would like to hear at Bell Time. Students shared these with me in their Showbie Music Folder. I have had so many requests from students and am still sorting through them! Thank you everyone!

Celebrating Diversity!

I am so encouraged to see our students requesting music from a variety of genres AND decades! I have been introduced to many new songs and artists from our students and love that we have a safe space to share songs from all over the globe with each other. Listening to songs in other languages, hearing instruments and rhythms from numerous cultures is important in shaping our musical knowledge and appreciation!

Term 2 Musical Events at BPS

Grades 5 and 6 Opera Excursion - The Lyrebird's Voice - Friday 9th May (see Compass for more details)
Mid-Year Soiree - All Bands, Guitar Ensembles and Choir to perform (date TBC)
Open Rehearsals for all Bands and Guitar Ensembles (date TBC)
Assembly Performances - Bands, Guitar Ensembles and Choir

What's On In Our Community?

Moonlight Cinema - FREE!

Enjoy blockbuster hits and classic favourites in our Moonlight Movies series, during the Autumn school holidays. Free screenings, delightful snacks, and a fantastic community atmosphere – don’t miss out!

Inside Out 2 (PG) - Friday 4th April

Mufasa (PG) - Friday 11 April

https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/things-do/festivals-and-events/moonlight-movie-night

Jams for Juniors - Presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Kids, let’s join in! The earlier children listen to music, the more it will enhance their lives.

Presenter Karen Kyriakou is joined by musicians of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for this popular series of workshops specially designed for children up to five years of age and their carers.

Tickets selling fast!

https://www.mso.com.au/learning/mso-for-kids/jams-for-juniors

Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

22-24 May

https://www.mso.com.au/performance/2025-star-wars-the-force-awakens

Family Season - Bright Sparks at The Round, Nunawading

Welcome to Bright Sparks 2025 – an electrifying collection of performances designed to ignite young imaginations! In 2025, our family program will light up The Round, creating a wonderful and welcoming space for kids big and small, where creativity crackles and young minds buzz with wonder and awe.

https://theround.com.au/season/family-season-bright-sparks-2025