News from the Music Room 

PREP

This semester,  The Preps were introduced to Kodaly's taa and titi rhythms. They played, clapped, and called the rhythms on a regular basis. They played a number of games designed to accentuate the difference between beat and rhythm.  A series of action songs and dances were taught to encourage solo singing and movement. 

Skits that we rehearsed at the start of the year were revisited and we learned some new skits to encourage turn-taking, speaking and listening, and a basic understanding of stagecraft. The Toy Shop is a game the students played regularly to teach the basics of dramatic improvisation. 

JLC

This semester,  JLC have drilled the taa, titi, and ta-a rhythms. They have been performing clapping songs, action songs, and dances to improve coordination and stay on the beat. They studied nursery rhymes. Chanting the rhymes alongside a steady beat to solidify their understanding of the rhythm as compared to the beat.  Students explored canons. They were encouraged to chant the rhymes in a “round” as a basis for part singing. 

MLC

This semester,  MLC learned about musical form. They studied the structure of modern pop songs.  They developed the language and skills to analyse the form of their favorite songs - how to identify the verse, chorus, and bridge. The students learned about the rondo form and ostinato. The students learned a body percussion routine in rondo form, each section of the routine was an ostinato (repeating pattern). This body percussion routine was a catalyst for their own creation. Using musical instruments, they created their own composition in rondo form using ostinato patterns. They performed these compositions for their peers.

SLC

This semester, SLC students studied traditional music and musical instruments from various countries including Italy, France, India, and Australia. They were encouraged to practice the circular breathing technique required to play the didgeridoo and other wind instruments.  

The students continued to develop their music literacy by drilling the Kodaly's taa, titi, tikka- tikka, and tikka-ti rhythms. Students learned and practiced the solfege sight singing method. 

They played a wide range of percussion instruments to create musical soundscapes for existing Disney film trailers. This was done as a whole class activity and also in small groups. The students performed their compositions live for their peers. 

This semester, the whole school has studied "Spring" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons.  All students listened out for the various elements of Spring that Vivaldi encapsulated in this famous concerto. 

Mr. Jon Bode

Performing Arts & Music Teacher