Glen Waverley Primary School Specialist Newsletter

Music

Welcome back to Term Three! I hope everyone had a lovely, restful and warm break. This term, we are focusing on rhythm and instrument technique on the piano, ukulele and percussion instruments. During this term, our Year 3 and 4 mass choir will continue learning the extensive repertoire for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular. They will take part in two full-day rehearsals at Melbourne Town Hall and two full-day rehearsals at John Cain Arena, before performing two shows (a matinee and an evening performance) on Saturday 13th September. Prep Innovation will also take place this term, with students being introduced to new instruments such as the ukulele, and learning skills that assist them in playing with correct technique.

 

Prep

This term, Prep students will begin learning about stick notation (informal rhythm notation). Using their bodies and instruments such as claves (rhythm sticks), hand drums and triangles, they will explore different sounds and rhythms. Through engaging activities like games, repetition, performances and demonstrations, students will learn to recognise and create simple rhythms. They will use beat boards to compose their own rhythms and perform them for their classmates. These skills will be reinforced through fun rhythm-matching games and a variety of hands-on tasks, helping students build confidence with both instruments and movement.

 

Curriculum Links:  

  • Create music that communicates ideas and explores meaning VC2AMUFC01 
  • Share their music with audiences VC2AMUFP01 

Key Vocabulary:   rhythm, stick notation, rhythm sticks, hand drum, triangle 

 

Year 1

Throughout term three, Year One students will begin a unit on percussion instruments, with a focus on developing their listening skills. They will explore a range of instruments including hand drums, shakers, triangles, claves, and glockenspiels, discovering how different playing techniques can create a variety of sounds. Students will continue learning about the basic elements of music, such as pitch and duration, and will be introduced to expression—particularly dynamics (volume). They will practise creating loud, medium, and soft sounds while learning percussive songs. As the term progresses, students will also compose and perform their own percussion pieces for their classmates. 

  

Curriculum Links:  

  • Sing and play music to communicate to audiences in informal settings VC2AMU2P01 
  • Develop listening skills and skills for singing and playing instruments VC2AMU2D01 

Key Vocabulary:  percussion instruments, basic elements of music, dynamics, pitch, duration. 

 

Year 2

During this term, Year Two students will begin a unit focused on piano, learning to play with both their left and right hands. They will develop correct playing technique and explore strategies for reading formal music notation. To build confidence, students will first practise each hand separately, focusing on rhythm and accuracy, before combining both hands. They will also apply key musical elements such as tempo, dynamics, beat, and rhythm to help coordinate their playing. As the term progresses, students will move on to more challenging pieces, with those already learning piano working at their own level. Throughout the unit, students will apply the techniques they’ve learned in class performances. 

  

Curriculum Links:  

  • Develop listening skills and skills for singing and playing instruments VC2AMU2D01
  • Sing and play music to communicate to audiences in informal settings VC2AMU2P01 

 Key Vocabulary:  piano, beat, tempo, dynamics, rhythm. 

 

 

Year 3

This term, Year Three students are continuing their piano studies while expanding their understanding of formal music notation. They will consolidate their note-reading skills and learn to recognise new notes, including semiquavers and those that sit above or below the stave. Students will also focus on improving their piano technique, with particular attention to playing with curved fingers. They will apply their growing knowledge by learning and performing songs on the piano. Additionally, students will develop their audience skills by listening respectfully to their peers' performances throughout the term. 

  

Curriculum Links:  

  • Develop listening skills and skills for working with elements of music when singing and playing instruments VC2AMU4D01 
  • Sing and play music they have learnt and/or created to audiences in formal and informal settings VC2AMU4P01 

Key Vocabulary:  formal notation, technique, semiquavers, stave 

 

Year 4

In Term Three, Year Four students will begin a unit on the history of music, exploring key musical periods and their unique characteristics. They will study the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras, focusing on the distinctive features of music from each time. Students will learn to play piano pieces from these periods, incorporating elements such as dynamics, ornamentation, and improvisation to reflect the style of each era. They will also draw on their knowledge of composers from each period to enrich their performances. Throughout the unit, students will rehearse and perform these pieces for their classmates. They will also develop their audience etiquette by listening respectfully and offering constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. 

  

Curriculum Links:  

  • Develop listening skills and skills for working with elements of music when singing and playing instruments VC2AMU4D01 
  • Work with elements of music to communicate ideas, perspectives and/or meaning when composing and practising for performance VC2AMU4C01 
  • Sing and play music they have learnt and/or created to audiences in formal and informal settings VC2AMU4P01 

Key Vocabulary:  music period, baroque, classical, romantic, modern 

 

Year 5

Throughout Term Three, Year Five students will participate in a ukulele unit, focusing on technique, chords, and harmony. They will learn how to correctly hold and play the ukulele, identify string names, and play both simple and more complex chords. Students will explore the concept of harmony by using chords to support and enhance different melodies. Working in small groups, they will create harmonic accompaniments for given melodies, applying their understanding of rhythm and tone to ensure the harmony complements the melody and creates a cohesive, pleasing sound. 

  

Curriculum Links:  

  • Rehearse and perform music in a range of forms they have learnt and/or composed to audiences in informal and formal settings VC2AMU6P01 
  • Develop listening skills and skills for working with elements of music to achieve expressive effects when composing, singing and playing instruments VC2AMU6D01 
  • Work with elements of music and use compositional devices to communicate ideas, perspectives and meaning when composing and practising music for performance, and, as appropriate to the style, document and/or record the music they compose VC2AMU6C01 

Key Vocabulary:  ukulele, simple and complex chords, harmony. 

 

Year 6

In Term Three, Year Six students will begin a piano unit focused on music from the 20th and 21st centuries (1900 to present). They will explore how music has evolved over the decades and investigate which instruments were most prominent in each era. Students will analyse a variety of songs to identify key features and instrumentation from different time periods. Each student will then select a song from a specific year to learn on the piano, aiming to incorporate the stylistic elements of that era into their performance. Throughout the term, they will practise and refine their chosen piece and share it with a peer or group to receive constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. In addition, students will begin the exciting process of selecting their graduation song. 

 

Curriculum Links:  

  • Develop listening skills and skills for working with elements of music to achieve expressive effects when composing, singing and playing instruments VC2AMU6D01
  • Work with elements of music and use compositional devices to communicate ideas, perspectives and meaning when composing and practising music for performance, and, as appropriate to the style, document and/or record the music they compose VC2AMU6C01 
  • Rehearse and perform music in a range of forms they have learnt and/or composed to audiences in informal and formal settings VC2AMU6P01 

Key Vocabulary:  piano, music periods, key features 

 

 

How can you support your child’s music learning at home?    

  • Attend live music events together, such as school concerts, community performances, or even watch street performers (buskers).
  • Use music apps such as GarageBand, Chrome Music Lab or Simply Piano.
  • Play and listen to lots of different genres of music—from classical to pop!