Music & Choir

Welcome to a new year of music-making at BPS! 

I hope you all had a wonderful break with your families – although holidays may seem like a distant memory already! 

For those who don’t know me, my name is Lisa Shacklock. I am very fortunate to be the Co-ordinator of the Classroom Music Program, the School Choir & Band Liaison. I love teaching the fabulous students of BPS and have so many amazing things for them to learn this year! I am looking forward to helping all our students develop into finer musicians and performers in 2024!

You will find me in the Music Room (next to the Gym) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Alternately, if you have any queries about the Music Program, please contact me via Compass. 

Please read below for: 

• F-6 Classroom Music Lessons
• School Choir
• Music Appreciation
• Footloose Fridays!

F-6 Classroom Music Lessons

These are some of the topics that students will be focusing on in Term 1: 

Foundation - please note that Mr Merlino will be teaching music to FC and FS

• Music from Asia, dancing scarves and movement to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Dragon 
• Name Games - beat and body percussion focus
• Exploring the link between music and celebrations
• Australian National Anthem 

Grades 1 and 2

• Beat and rhythm activities
• Focus on timbre
• Lunar New Year Celebrations 
• Animals of the Zodiac – Rondo Theme: composition and performance
• Australian National Anthem and anthems from other countries

Grades 3 and 4

• Lunar New Year Rhythms
• The invention of the Music Staff by Guido D’Arezzo (Grade 3)
• Staff Wars – note names iPad app
• Australian National Anthem and anthems from other countries

Grades 5 and 6

• Rhythm, classroom instruments
• Instruments - Asian Civilizations, Harmony in Diversity
• Introduction of the ukulele
• Australian National Anthem and anthems from other countries

Choir

Students in Grades 4-6 are invited to come along and trial Choir each Monday during February.

Involvement in School Choir is a non-cost activity.  

Our first Choir trial is in Week 4 on Monday 19th February at 12.50pm -1.30pm, giving time for all children to play outside from 1.30pm.

It is important for students to attend each trial below to gain a true understanding of Choir involvement. 

Choir Trial Dates (also published on the Compass calendar)

• Week 4 - Mon 19 Feb
• Week 5 - Mon 26 Feb
• Week 6 - Mon 4 March

There will be no choir in week 7 (Labour Day) or Week 8 (Planning Week).

What happens after the trial sessions? 

Students will need to decide whether they would like to continue being involved in Choir by Mon 25 March (week 9 - final week of Term 1). This rehearsal will involve all students who plan to continue as our BPS Choristers!

There is no obligation to continue with choir after the trial period but if your child would like to continue participating in the School Choir for the remainder of 2024, they (and you!) will be required to sign the Choir Commitment Form. Continuing students will have access to all vocal and backing tracks, song lyrics and sheet music which I’ll set up in the 2024 Choir Folder in Showbie. Students will receive access to the Showbie folder once their Commitment Form has been returned. 

If students do not wish to continue Choir after the trial sessions – at least they gave it a go! They may like to try it again next year – or not!

Why choose Choir?

The rewards of being in a Choir are plentiful - developing vocal skills and musical awareness, learning new genres to sing, enjoying the activity of performing, gaining confidence, responsibility and meeting new people. Students will be encouraged to suggest songs and choreography for our performances.

Performances 

The Choir will perform at: 

• Open Night for Education Week (May) 
• Mid-Year Soiree (June)
• BPS Evening of Music (November) 
• and other opportunities that may arise! 
  
  Please note it is the parents’ responsibility to transport their child to and from performances held after school hours. 

Music Appreciation

How do we make informed choices about the music we like to listen to, 

perform or create if we are not exposed to a diverse range of music?

Each week a different musical genre (or theme) is played over the loudspeaker at bell times so that students become familiar with a variety of genres and artists. All songs chosen are child-appropriate.

The musical genres showcased in Term 1 will be:

If there are any songs or genres you would like to recommend, I would love to hear your suggestions. I can be contacted at lisa.shacklock@education. vic.gov.au

Footloose Fridays! 

On the final day of 2023, Mrs Pickford and I danced to Christmas songs as students arrived at school. We had so much fun and wondered why we didn’t do that more often….. so now in 2024, we will be! 

To celebrate the end of each week (Fri-YAY!), we’d love you to join us as we bust some moves outside the gym at 8.45am. It’s not so much about the actual dancing as it is about having fun and connecting with our BPS community - staff, students, parents and maybe even grandparents! 

We will play two songs from different decades each week. 

Mrs Pickford and I are looking forward to connecting our school community through music and movement!

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock             

Classroom Music, Choir Co-ordinator & Band Liaison (M-W, F)

                                        "Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley