FPS Newsletter

Performing Arts Focus

Performances & More!

Term four is always an action-packed term for our performing artists, and this year is no exception. Aside from all the dynamic moving, shaking and music-making we’ll be doing in classes, our performers will be getting ready for their ART FOR ALL performances, the festive end of year concert, the combined workshop with Thornbury High School’s choir and hip hop group, and of course, the Year 5/6 extravaganza ‘Porridge’.

 

Foundation

This term sees us becoming musically literate! Our Foundation students will be looking at some of the different elements of music (rhythm, pitch and harmony) and how we can notate and play them on a range of different instruments. Later in the term, we will be getting ourselves ready to show you how much we have grown as performers, as we get ready for the Foundation Celebration of Learning.

 

Year 1 & 2

This term we are building on our experience of performing live on stage, by examining the genre of musical theatre. We have been learning conventions of musical theatre and have been singing some classics of the genre.

 

As the term progresses, we will look at harmony, drama (focusing on character and space), dance and creating music that fits a particular mood or scene.

 

Year 3 – Hip Hop Experience

On Monday, 13 November (week 7), our Year 3 students are going to be involved in a new and very exciting collaboration. The Thornbury High School hip hop group will be coming to FPS, to run workshops with each Year 3 class. These sessions will take place between recess and lunch. In these workshops, students will learn new moves, work collaboratively with the Thornbury High students, and will have the opportunity to show their work to the Foundation and Year 1 students after lunch.

 

Year 3 & 4

This term we are teaching our young musicians listening skills. Each week, students are introduced to a piece of music from the classical canon. They are given musical vocabulary to help them express what they hear in the piece of music for example, largo, preston, pianissimo, forte, staccato, legato, leit motif. We have been exploring form found in music and extend this knowledge by playing along with these pieces of music with a modern twist. We have created a cup song for the ‘Entry of the Gladiators’ and learnt the theme for Mozart’s theme and variations on ‘Ah! vous dirai-je, maman’. It is interesting when children respond with “I know this tune!” and also amusing how the children’s fascination with Mozart’s last unfinished work Requiem in D minor turned into an early Halloween lesson. 

 

Here are some of Mozart’s pieces we have been listening to.

 

Family listening time:

 

Year 5 & 6

It is concert time once again! I am amazed at the children’s enthusiasm. I am especially proud of the children who might be hesitant to perform but are still standing in the chorus line giving each lesson and rehearsal their one hundred percent. I am also grateful for the children who have in so many words expressed that getting a part is not their jam, but they are hundred percent committed in making the show awesome but demonstrating their stage management skills and creativity in prop making. 

 

Our stars are indeed our stars, they have set about learning their lines, challenging my interpretation in scenes respectfully, and encouraging each other. Concert time sees the best in our children and community. We see choreography experts who can break down steps, organised directors, amazing singers and musicians, and overall comradery. It is indeed the Fairfield way. Enjoy this snippet of what the children have been practising  and I apologise for my incessant counting. We will see you in our wonderful audience on 14 December, 7pm at Loyola College.

 

Choir, Concert Band & Brass

All of our enrichment programs are getting ready for a full term of performances and workshops!

  • The choir and concert band will be performing at ART FOR ALL (please check compass in the coming weeks for details).
  • The choir will be working collaboratively with the Thornbury High School choir on Monday 13 November, between recess and lunch, and performing their work to the Foundation and Year 1 students after lunch.
  • The choir, concert band and brass students will all be performing at our end of year festive extravaganza, on Thursday 7 December, 4:30pm in the Old Hall. This is always a highlight of the year for all of our performers, and more details will be sent out via Compass later in the term.

 

To help our students feel as confident and excited about these performances as possible, please remind them to practise at home and to bring their instruments and music (if applicable) to rehearsals. For concert band, rehearsals are every Wednesday. For brass students, it is every second Thursday. We can’t to show you all our hard work!

 

~ Olivia Li & Keri Spence, Performing Arts Teachers