Music 

Although it was our Grades 5 and 6 students who went to the Victorian Opera's performance of 'The Lyrebird's Voice', the whole school learnt about the genre of OPERA. Many students were familiar with operatic arias due to their frequent use in advertising and social media. Here's the playlist if you'd like to listen to it at home.

All students enjoyed participating in active listening of the "Anvil Chorus" from Giuseppe Verdi's 'Il Trovatore'.  Students in Grades 5 and 6 learnt alternate lyrics as provided by the Victorian Opera and sang along with the performers at 'The Lyrebird's Voice' opera excursion. Such fun!

Foundation

Here are some photos of our Foundation students learning The Hokey Pokey. Through the song we explored the structure (how it is built), which parts were different, which repeated and matched our actions accordingly.

Foundation students enjoyed beat activities, singing and focused on tone colour (recognising qualities of different voices and instruments). They have also begun using iconic notation and solfege to assist in their pitch development.

Grades 1 and 2

Wassily Kandinsky was born in Russia in 1866. He was one of the great masters of modern art and pure abstract painting (using only colours and forms).

Kandinsky had a condition called synesthesia - when your brain causes you to experience more than one sense simultaneously. Some examples include tasting words, or linking colours to numbers and letters. It is a heightened ability in which one in 2,000 people experience. It is more common in artists, musicians, and creative people.

Kandinsky felt that 🎨 PAINTING  had the same power as 🎶 MUSIC and that sign, line, and colour should correspond to the vibrations of the human soul.

Grades 1 and 2 students used the Kandinsky project on Chrome Music Lab to compose original music using shapes, colours and words to influence their musical choices. Students learnt how to screen record their compositions, rename and upload them to their Showbie Music folder. Ask them to show you their compositions!

Grades 3 and 4

Student's Name Compositions

The culmination of Term 3 sees students writing a musical composition based on their names. To get to this stage of independent composition, we focused on rhythm development and recognition of treble clef note names. 

Grades 5 and 6

Excursion to Victorian Opera's 'The Lyrebird's Voice'

The highlight of the term was experiencing live opera at the beautiful venue, The Round, Nunawading. Four online workshops prior to the performance provided us with the many details as to what is required to put on an opera. All songs from the opera were added to Showbie Music folders so that students can become familiar with them before the big event.

This week and next week students will need their charged iPads in music lessons to participate in Kahoots about everything opera!

Bell Music Suggestions

Approximately 50 students in each year level have messaged me in Showbie with the songs they would like to hear at bell time. I love their excitement about this and learning what they enjoy listening to. I am sometimes surprised to see what they suggest, and pleased that it's not always the current hits that get mentioned!  

Parents and social media are certainly their main influences, so don't be afraid to branch out and listen to genres that may be new to you! You may find a new favourite band or genre! Connect and discuss the music with your child:

• What instruments can you hear?
• What is the mood of the piece?
• Which musical genre do you think this song belongs to?
• How does it make you feel? 
• What do you both enjoy (or not enjoy!) about the music? Why?

Next week we will hear more 'Student Suggestions' at Bell Time.

Wilda Wertheim - the BPS Community Piano

Having Wilda outside the Music Room has been wonderful! She is constantly receiving attention - before school, at break times and after school by students from all abilities and year levels! After school I often hear parents playing, and can't resist to duck out of the Music Room to enquire about the composition and composer. Sharing music - that's what it is all about!

What's On in Arts & Culture?

TELEVISION

Speaking of sharing the joy of pianos in communities.....

Unearthing everyday pianists from all over Australia through the celebration of the street piano, regular Australians are invited to play the piano at busy locations around the country and given the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Six episodes - 1 hour each. 

Highly recommended... though I cried through the entire first episode because my heart was so full.... of course, you may not feel the same!

THE ORCHESTRA

• Bila's Big Dance - Orchestra Victoria

https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/season-2025/Musical-Storytime-Bilas-Big-Dance

• 2025 Family Fiesta - Monash University Performing Arts Centre

https://www.mammaknowseast.com.au/places-to-go/family-fiesta-monash-university-performing-arts-centres-clayton

MUSICAL THEATRE

The Round, Nunawading -  Whitehorse Arts and Cultural Centre

https://tickets.theround.com.au/WebPages/EntaWebShow/ShowListAlpha.aspx?start=*

The Round Program presents a professional theatre and music season, showcasing the best professional theatre from around the country. This diverse series includes plays, musicals, opera, ballet, shows for children, works by renowned Australian playwrights as well as new productions by emerging writers and performing arts companies.  

I love having an Arts and Cultural Centre in our local area - especially one with easy parking! I've attended many shows at the venue and have enjoyed each one. I am really looking forward to Emmaus College's production of Cinderella. If there are still tickets available, I would highly recommend it. Their production of Funny Girl last year left me in awe - I actually forgot I was watching a high school production! As a former student who performed in productions (on our gym stage, not a venue like The Round), I was slightly envious and wished I was a student there now! Emmaus certainly deserves the awards and accolades they are receiving for their amazing productions.

Mary Poppins Jr - come and see what our Music Captain, Olivia, has been working towards as she performs in Mary Poppins Jr. I've attended a few YABC productions and they are spectacular!! Good luck Liv on your performances these holidays!

Calling all BPS talent! 

Are you or your child involved in upcoming local performances

 - musicals, drama, dance, orchestral? 

If so, I'd love to hear about them! Let's celebrate local artists and venues. I'd be happy to receive a flyer with your event details to share with our BPS community. Please email lisa.shacklock@education.vic.gov.au

Wishing you all a wonderful term holiday! Take care and I'll see you in Term 3!

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock             

Classroom Music, Choir Co-ordinator & Band Liaison (M, Tu, Th, F)

                                        "Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley