Music & Choir
Blackburn Primary School
Welcome to Term 4! It is a busy term, so please ensure you check the Compass calendar for more information.
Term 4 Diary Dates
Week 6 - Evening of Music - All Bands, Ensembles & Choir
Thursday 12th November @ One Church (opposite BPS)
Week 7 - Band Recruitment Night - Thursday 19th November @ BPS
Students from Grades 2 to 5 are invited to this information sessions about the 2027 Band Program. There will be demonstrations and a chance for students to try the instruments!
Please refer to the Band page of the newsletter for more information.
Foundation and Grade 6 Buddies Performance
Congratulations to our Foundation and Grade 6 Buddies on their performance at last Friday's assembly. You all did a marvellous job! Well done!
Music Appreciation / Bell Music
Each month our school community will hear one of 15 songs /compositions when the bell rings. These songs correlate with what students will be learning during our classroom music lessons, as well as special days or events that may be celebrated by our BPS families. Music can be used to ‘Celebrate Diversity’ (one of our school values) and I feel it is imperative to acknowledge and explore music from around the world. With this comes an understanding and appreciation of other cultures and a broader awareness of our world!
Why play the same songs for one month?
The aim of having songs played for one month is so students become familiar with music that they might not otherwise be exposed to. When we hear songs repeatedly, we learn the lyrics and melody without too much fuss….. therefore, adding to our song repertoire. Learning songs from many genres will assist students working out what they like (and don’t like!) to listen to.
If you’re keen to know what songs will be played, feel free to check out this Spotify link - you may also learn some new songs!
Bell Music (Weeks 1-4):
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/58uEiaZBPDn3yOps7eblU5?si=4d18454aa5324f2e
Foundation – Grade 6
In Term 4, all BPS students will be learning the following songs in more detail during our music lessons (these are in the Spotify playlist above).
- Spring – 1st movement: Allegro (from ‘The Four Seasons’) – Antonio Vivaldi
- You’re the Voice – Mitch Tambo
- Home Among the Gum Trees – John Williamson
- La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
- I Believe in You – Dolly Parton
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Foundation
- Hispanic music and culture– songs using simple Spanish words, what is a Mariachi band?, The Little Snail (El Pequeño Caracolito), Bate Bate Chocolate, La Bamba – Ritchie Valens (movement)
- Bitty Bitty Bat – composition, tempo, movement, rhythm - crotchet (taa) and quavers (ti-ti)
- Diwali – What is Diwali? How is it celebrated? The Festival of Lights, The Delhi Stomp
- Solfege – focus on high doh and low doh intervals – solfege hand signs, singing, playing instruments
- Instrument Petting Zoo – classifying classroom instruments (wood, metals, pitched, unpitched), Guess the Instrument Sound
- The Nutcracker – story, ballet and selected pieces by Tchaikovsky
- Christmas sing-along!
Grade 1
- Hispanic music and culture – songs using simple Spanish words, Mariachi bands, Los Machetes (partner song using rhythm sticks), La Bamba, El Bodeguero (Cuba), sing Zoo by Shakira
- Introduction to Boomwhackers - In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg)
- Diwali – Revision of Diwali and how it is celebrated. The Festival of Lights and The Delhi Stomp
- Solfege – focus on soh and mi intervals – solfege hand signs, singing, playing instruments and recognition on and off the music staff
- The Nutcracker – story, ballet and selected pieces by Tchaikovsky
- Christmas sing-along!
Grade 2
- Hispanic music and culture - songs using simple Spanish words, Mariachi music, La Bamba, La Cucaracha – song and classroom instruments, sing Zoo by Shakira
- Introduction to bucket drumming - In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg)
- Diwali – Revision of Diwali and how it is celebrated. The Festival of Lights, The Delhi Stomp
- Solfege – focus on soh and mi intervals – solfege hand signs, singing, playing instruments and recognition on and off the music staff
- Orchestral and Band instruments – Band Recruitment Night
- The Nutcracker – story, ballet and selected pieces by Tchaikovsky
- Christmas sing-along!
Grades 3 and 4
- Hispanic music, dance and culture - songs using simple Spanish words, what is a Mariachi band?, The World’s Youngest Mariachi Singer, La Raspa (rhythmic cup activity), La Bamba & Ritchie Valens biography, Shakira - Dai Dai, learning simple dance steps of the ‘cha cha cha’ dance
- Bucket Drumming - Ghostbusters
- India - Revision of Diwali and how it is celebrated, Dandiya Stick Dance with partners
- Christmas songs – boomwhackers
Grades 5 and 6
- Ukulele – introduction of reading tablature (TAB), how to play riffs, continuation of chord development
- Hispanic music, dance and culture – what is a Mariachi band?, The World’s Youngest Mariachi Singer, La Bamba & Ritchie Valens biography, Shakira - Dai Dai and Waka Waka, learning simple dance steps of the ‘cha cha cha’ dance
- Indian instruments & influence on western music (The Beatles), Ravi Shankar (composer), Dandiya Stick Dance with partners (advanced)
- Christmas songs – boomwhackers
Choir
The Choir have been invited to sing the Acknowledgment of Country ‘We Honour the Land’ at the Disability Network Meeting. This will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room later this term.
All Ensembles and Choir are in preparation for our big event - the Evening of Music held at One Church (opposite BPS) on Thursday 12th November. We are in for an incredible night of music-making and entertainment. You do not want to miss the highlight of the BPS musical calendar. Ticket information out soon.
Students currently in Grades 2 to 5 who may be keen to join the 2027 Band Program may also like to attend this concert.
Choir Performance Clothing
Parents of choristers, please ensure your child's plain, bright coloured tee still fits. If not, you still have a few weeks to purchase a new one!
Also, a reminder that all choristers and band members must wear plain black socksat all our performances. Thank you.
Congratulations Scout!
Scout recently performed the role of Molly in all three shows of Annie Jr. (two evening performances and one matinee). This was the first show of Goldfields Music Theatre – a junior show only 1.5 hrs long with a cast made up of 8-18yr olds. Scout did a fabulous job portraying Molly – I’m sure her BPS friends who saw her perform will attest to this! Well done, Scout!
The Arts in Our Community
There are so many wonderful events accessible to us in our community, but sometimes we don't know about them unless we (or someone we know) are involved in them!
Strains of the Heart - an A Cappella Musical
Some of you may know I sing in a local chorus called Vocal Infusion. We are a mixed Barbershop chorus who rehearse monthly and perform at contests and events thoughout the year.
Featuring beloved songs performed by the Melbournaires Harmony Chorus, Vocal Infusion, A Cappella Fellas, Chordite, and quartets Boardwalk, Go Fish! and Crystal Sound, this moving and family-friendly production explores love in all its forms: romantic love, parental devotion, friendship, sacrifice and forgiveness.
It would be great to see you there!
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1619387
Saturday 14 November 2026 - 7:00pm - 9:30pm
New Hope Baptist Church, 3 Springfield Road, Blackburn North
Alternately, if you or someone you know can hold a tune and may be keen in learning more about Barbershop, please email me. I will let you know when our next rehearsal is scheduled.
Lisa Shacklock
F-6 Music Co-ordinator, Choir Director, Band Liaison (M, Tu, Th, F)