String News
Ivanhoe Primary School
String News Thursday 12th November
Year 6 Strings visit Year 1
Year 1 are receiving visits from Year 5 and Year 6 string players during their Music classes at the moment. 1L was visited by Chloe (violin -6RJ), Kane (cello - 6M) and Tennyson (bass - 6RJ) last Friday and 1RB was visited by Santiago (violin - 6RJ), Ashley (cello - 6RJ) and Tennyson (bass - 6RJ) on Monday. 1K and 1AS will also receive visits in the coming week.
The older students show how their instruments make sound and demonstrate snippets of pieces. They also play something together and talk with the Year 1 students about what learning a string instrument at IPS has meant to them.
It is beautiful to see how the younger students look up to the older students and really listen to them. It is wonderful to hear the positivity with which the older students talk about their string playing experiences. “You make so many friends playing music together”, “You can really let out your emotions”, “It’s so much fun to learn to play songs you really like”, “It gives you a sense of achievement when you practise something until you can do it, “Yes it’s a bit scary playing in front of people, but once you start, you become one with the music”
After the question time, each Year 1 student is offered the chance to have a go on a violin and on a cello. Very exciting!
At IPS, ensemble playing is a big part of learning a string instrument. We run a Start Up Strings class which is aimed at Year 2 students. During Terms 1 & 2, students have two group classes per week before school. During Terms 3 & 4, students have one group class per week and one individual lesson during the school day.
Students spend one year in Start Up Strings, then one year in Corelli Strings and then they can play in the Orchestra.
To register your child’s interest in the IPS String Program, please contact the String Co-ordinator, Margaret Butcher Margaret.butcher@education.vic.gov.au.
Celebration Concert
Our festive end of year concert, the Celebration Concert, will be on Thursday 3rd December starting at 6:30pm in the IPS hall. The Start Up Strings, Corelli Strings, Orchestra and Year 6 ensemble will be performing. Start Up Strings wear free dress; Corelli Strings & Orchestra wear white on the top and black on the bottom. Everyone brings a plate of food to share for supper afterwards. Entry is by donation.
From Margaret and the String Team