Music and Performing Arts Faculty

From the Co-ordinator of Music and Performing Arts

Music News

What’s happening in the Music classes in Junior School for Term 3? 

We are so proud of all the Junior School student’s performances at the Performing Arts Evening, they looked fabulous on stage! We will continue to update you with what is happening in Music Curriculum. This week we are letting you in on what we are doing in the Junior School.

The focus for the weekly Music classes in Junior School for Term 3 is: 

Kindergarten Music: As an introduction to Pitch, students observe the shape of simple melodies to identify contours. Instrumental experiences will include identifying the tone colour of a range of non-tuned percussion instruments, as well as an introduction to orchestral strings.

Year 1 Music: In this unit students will be exploring the book and accompanying music to the Australian story ‘The Bush Concert’. This work shows how music can be used to tell a story. Composing, performing, and listening activities will be used to develop students' understanding of tone colour and texture.

Year 2 Music: Students aurally identify musical features in repertoire used to reflect various types of transport. Students sing and play musical motifs, features and rhythms and identify patterns in music.

Year 3 Music: Students will be introduced to the instruments of the orchestra through listening activities covering a range of repertoire, as well as practical and written work for consolidation.

Year 3 Band: Continue to develop note reading skills, including dynamic and expressive techniques. Develop their ensemble skills.

Year 4 Music: Students will begin to understand the broader range of musical concepts with an understanding of common terms for Tempo, as well as learning the abbreviations and symbols for Dynamic markings in the score.

Year 4 Band: Students perform more complex repertoire to consolidate their understanding of their own instrument and the contribution they make to group music making. They recognise rhythmic and pitch notation, rests, elementary score conventions, and play their instruments proficiently. There is an emphasis on working in the whole ensemble: following conductor cues, giving attention to dynamics and expressive techniques, and maintaining a uniform, steady beat. They hone their skills to play repertoire of a complete work for performances at School events.

Year 5 Music rotations in Performing Arts: Students learn about the importance of Music as a means of connecting to an individual's culture and tradition. They examine the way music is used to represent national identity, history, and storytelling. They listen to music from different cultures around the world, such as Indigenous Australian, Vietnamese, Indian and Japanese and compare instrumentation and musical features. Students use this understanding to develop their group project performance.

Year 6 Music rotations in Performing Arts: Students will engage in activities introducing song writing and composition to communicate or amplify a message. This can involve an explicit message through rapping or lyrics in a song, or a subliminal message through background music used to reflect a message, feeling or mood. Students will learn how to find the naturally occurring rhythms in speech and the rhyming patterns used to create a rap song. They will individually devise their own or collaborate with their group to compose music that enhances their combined message. They will also use ICT skills to create a music track in Chrome Music Lab and edit music to input into their films. 

Curriculum Questions

If you have questions about curriculum or how we can support your child’s journey at Pittwater House through music, please feel free to contact Mr David Cosentino at: David.Cosentino@tphs.nsw.edu.au 

Performing Arts News

Term 3 is an exciting time for the performing arts. Throughout this term, our musical ensembles, dance companies, and theatre sports teams will be participating in several events.

Over the Break!

Congratulations to many of our students who have been competing in numerous competitions, eisteddfods, and examinations over the break. Please share with us your results so that we can acknowledge your achievements.

Senior Theatre Sports

Will be working towards the Senior Performing Arts night this term. The troupe has been working very successfully throughout the first semester competing in their first Theatre Sports Competition and have learnt many skills along the way.

Dance Companies

Last term, our Junior Company performed at our Junior Performing Arts Night and at the annual Ravenswood Showcase. Throughout this term, we will see all our Dance Companies performing at various showcases and competitions. We are looking forward to seeing our Senior Companies perform at our Senior Performing Arts night, at the end of the term.

Music Ensembles

Last term, many of our ensembles performed at numerous competitions and events. As always, we are very proud of the effort and commitment that all our students show representing the school at these events. This term will continue to support our school and local community providing music for many occasions. Along with our other ensembles, the musical ensembles will be performing at our annual Senior Performing Arts Night at the end of term.

Performing Arts Ensemble Canvas Page

The Performing Arts Ensembles have a dedicated Canvas Page where communications regarding rehearsals and performances are posted. It is important that students/families have access to this page to keep up to date.  Invitations have been sent multiple times to families.  If you do not have access to this canvas page, please let your ensemble manager know at the next rehearsal.

Private Music Tuition 

We have a group of private tutors who are experienced teachers and achieve great results. If you are interested in having Private Music Lessons at Pittwater House during the school day, please email fill in the private tuition form on: 

https://forms.office.com/r/GhQghpAhvs

Enrichment Opportunities 

We are looking for students to perform in our Senior School Assemblies. If your child is interested in performing, please email your child’s interest to: performingarts@tphs.nsw.edu.au