Performing Arts 

What a wonderful semester we have had in Performing Arts. From our youngest students finding a steady beat to our senior students strumming along to full songs, the creativity and energy in the classroom has been amazing. Here is a look at what each year level has been up to this semester.

Foundation

Foundation students started their musical journey by learning all about the steady beat. They have been singing their hearts out to Cows in the Kitchen and Wee Hee Nah. Lately, they have been exploring different tempos (musical speeds) and experimenting with all kinds of instruments to show just how fast or slow a song can go.

Grade One

Grade One took a trip around the world through music. They tackled the traditional Ghanaian song Obwisana which came with a tricky rock-passing game, and they mastered a clapping game for the Liberian song Kokoleoko. Most recently, they have been focusing on dynamics (volume) and tempo. A huge highlight was using dynamics to lead their classmates through a game of Dark, Dark Wood.

Grade Two

Our Grade Two students have been building their musical skills. They learnt Charlie Over the Ocean and La Cucaracha, and many students confidently led the class in singing. They added a variety of tuned and untuned percussion instruments to bring these songs to life. They have also been exploring dynamics and pitch. The students loved watching an orchestra perform Peter and the Wolf and they made their own stick puppets to reenact the scenes by matching the characters to the music.

Grade Three

Excitement has been at an all-time high in Grade Three as students kicked off their recorder journey with Recorder Karate! They have learnt how to read and play the notes B, A and G on the stave, combining this new skill with their rhythm reading. Many students have already tested for and received their white belts. Next up, they will be aiming for their yellow belt with the song Gently Sleeping.

Grade Four

Grade Four have spent the term learning about the ukulele. They learnt the G, C, E and A strings, listened to famous ukulele artists and played along to different tracks. A highlight was when students became composers, writing their own short ukulele pieces and performing them for the class.

Grade Five and Six

The popular Bop or Flop game is still a major favourite for our senior students. After listening to a track, students debate whether it is a "Bop" (good) or a "Flop" (bad), using musical terminology to back up their opinions. They have also been incredibly busy mastering ukulele chords and strumming patterns:

• Grade 5 students learned the C and Am chords.
• Grade 6 students mastered the C, C7, F and Am chords.

With these chords under their belts, they can now play along to full songs. The progress they have made this term has been absolutely impressive.

Looking Ahead next term, some year levels will be moving away from music to explore Dance or Drama. I'm looking forward to seeing the talent and creativity our students bring to these areas.

Semester One Performing Arts Stars

Alana Tebble - Performing Arts Teacher