F-6 Music & Choir

And in what seems like a blink of an eye, here we are at the end of Term 3!  

Review of Term 3

Here’s a brief look at what our amazing students have achieved this term:

Assembly Performances - Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5

Students from Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 had the opportunity to present to an audience what they have been learning during classroom music lessons. There is much to learn about how one conducts themselves in front of an audience. 

Performance etiquette encompasses how to present when speaking, acting, dancing, moving from one place to another, how to hold / pass on the microphone, how to use instruments or props appropriately – the list goes on. Ialwaysrecord our students spoken introductions and performances and we review them during our next music lesson. It is helpful for us to view what we do well and where we can improve. Self-evaluation and peer evaluation is an important assessment tool.

Foundation

Students explored the music and the ballet of ‘The Nutcracker’ by Tchaikovsky. Students are developing the skill to use musical language to describe what they hear (getting louder, softer etc) and what they feel and to move their bodies accordingly. They are encouraged to use their imagination to tell a story that may fit the music.

Foundation Assembly Performance – Friday 11 October at 2.40pm

Students have been working on items for our assembly presentation to be held on the first Friday of Term 4. Miss Yi has taught students a selection of songs during Chinese lessons. During music lessons students have been rehearsing ‘The Chicken Dance’ and ‘Trepak’ from the ‘Nutcracker Suite’ by Tchaikovsky, which we are performing using paper plates. It sounds a little strange on paper, but it looks absolutely fabulous! Maybe your children can give you a sneak peek at home (paper plates are not a necessity!)

Confident Comperes 

Students will have the opportunity to introduce items at their performance. I’ve spoken with most students about this and have suggested they ‘give it a go’! Many people find public speaking a challenge, but to a young person this can be particularly daunting. Our assembly performances provide an opportunity for students to say a few lines with the aim of speaking clearly and slowly and building confidence! They will be given a short sentence to rehearse at home prior to the performance. Please note that the introductions will be available at the performance (our music captains will assist our youngest presenters, so nothing needs to be memorised). 

Also please note that it is not possible for all Foundation students to be allocated a speaking part during this performance.

Grade 1

Grades 2 and 3  

Grade 2 students learnt the melody of ‘Taba Naba’ (a song from the Torres Strait Islands) while Grade 3 sang the harmony. Students are developing the skill of following a music score while counting the bars as they play instruments and / or sing along. They learnt about the location, language and culture of the Torres Strait Islands.

Grade 4

Students participated in a traditional dance called the 'Galopede’, then, worked with their classmates to come up with a way of presenting the dance different to the other classes in their cohort. They were responsible for choosing songs which maintained a suitable tempo in order to dance the 'Galopede' at assembly.

Grade 5

Students learnt a traditional dance called ‘The Brown Jug Polka’ (often known as 'Heel and Toe'), then worked with their classmates to come up with a way of presenting the dance in different formations. Some students chose to work as a class group, some in small groups. Students had the choice to perform to ‘The Brown Jug Polka’ or to change the song to one with the same time signature.

Grade 6

Choir

The Choir have been rehearsing new songs and rounds and will be performing at an assembly next term. We will also be presenting at the Evening of Music - a highlight of the BPS musical calendar! This will be held at One Church (opposite BPS) on Wednesday 13 November. Please keep the date free!

Wishing all our BPS community a wonderful holiday and a relaxed break from routine!

Thank you all for supporting your children in their musical endeavours during the term.

I look forward to seeing you in Term 4!

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock  

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

"Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley