Performing Arts Focus
Action-Packed Term!
It’s another action-packed term in Performing Arts! Our grade 3 and 4 students are only a few sleeps away from performing their band extravaganza Fairfieldpalooza. But that’s not all that’s been happening in the PA room…
Foundation
Our youngest performers are getting into the routine of being in the Performing Arts Room. Drawing on our strong focus on Orff and Kodaly techniques, our little ones are now experts in using Solfège and signs in particular, Do-Mi-So, the holy trinity of music! We have been using Bobo (a music pet who is certainly not a tennis ball) to help us identify pitch and position on the scale. One of our favourite activities this term was using our parachute to keep the beat to the two of John William’s favourite composition of the ‘Star Wars Suite’. We also used the parachute to identify form in music.
Grades 1&2
Following on from the Grade 3 and 4’s concert, our Grade 1 and 2s are preparing for their concert on Thursday 29 May at the Preston City Hall. We are seizing the opportunity of the wonderful frosty weather to create a Christmas in July August Concert. We are hoping to convey the spirit of sharing, giving and community on this wintry night. At the moment the performers are learning two songs. Their opening song, “Shine, Shine, Shine” and their closing song “This Winter’s Night”.
We have had a few requests for copies of the songs. I reiterate that all the children will learn how to sing and dance to the songs in school, therefore the provision of these songs is not homework – it is for those who are curious, or might have a child who would like to learn it at home. The learning of the tracks purely optional.
Both songs are from fantastic composers from two music applications we use in the school. Musicplay online and Sing Up which we are able to purchase with the funds raised at last year’s Trivia Night! Thank you, parents.
Please send an email to the school if you would like to volunteer to transform the Preston City Hall to a magical wonderland on Thursday 7 August.
Grades 3&4
This term has been non-stop rehearsal mode. We’ve looked at how to turn a group of musicians into a band. The focus has not necessarily been on playing all the chords – it’s been on playing the right ones at the right time to stay in time with the group and sound like a cohesive class band. We’ve been crafting band names, costumes and adding some flair and finesse to our on-stage look.
We’re really excited about this concert. This is the first time we have created a show based solely on the musical learning we do in Performing Arts. Our students learn a range of different instruments in our classes and it’s so wonderful to get a chance to showcase this learning to an enthusiastic audience. See you Thursday for Fairfieldpalooza!
Grades 5&6
Our grade 5 and 6 students have also been flexing their rehearsal and refinement skills. They have been using the knowledge they gained last term to research and prepare a song to record. In small groups, they have chosen a song and the instruments they would like to play – with the focus being on playing in time and selecting a small part of the song to record. We have begun recording the instrumental tracks, and the students will then add their vocal tracks to their recordings.
As we have gone through this year, students have gained the understanding that so many pop/rock songs are based around 3-4 chords. We will use this knowledge to begin crafting our own songs in the coming weeks.
Brass, Band & Choir
Brass
Our brass students continue their wonderful work with our fabulous teacher, Sean. It’s so exciting to hear them progress through their learning and we look forward to sharing some of this work later in the term.
Band
After some collaborative work with our choir and playing some medleys, we have sunk our teeth into some pop songs and a Motown classic. Look out for us at ArtForAll next term!
Choir
We have been having a great time arranging choir arrangements together. We are currently working on a beautiful arrangement for ‘Black Bird’, by the Beatles and we hope to come up with a great set for ArtForAll.
~ Olivia Li & Keri Spence, Performing Arts Teachers