Music

Hola.

My name is Joel and I'm the new music teacher coming from Fitzroy North Primary School. I have worked at Fitzroy North Primary for 5 1/2 years as the Music and IT Coordinator and have previously taught in Hawthorn and overseas. I have experience running annual school concerts, rock bands and have taught ukulele, djembe, other percussion, guitar, keyboard, drums, GarageBand and Ableton. I want to start by saying thank you for the warm welcome thus far. I have big plans for music in the school with the aim of all students being able to read and write music as well as playing a large variety of instruments.

This term Prep-1s are going to be covering the fundamentals of music including recognising what a beat is, learning simple songs about the world to sing and moving and playing to different tempos and rhythms. Last week they played the notes EDC to the masterpiece that is known as Hot Cross Buns. 

Grade 2-3s have started writing out rhythms using crotchets and rests. The aim is to get familiar with the symbols and how they can be played on different instruments and with the voice.

They are starting to add letter names and pitches to the rhythms to play on the newly purchased glockenspiels. The aim is for students to begin recognising rhythms and play them in time. 

Grade 4-6 have also started writing out rhythms and will be playing on the glockenspiels to begin with. We will then move onto the ukuleles when a class set arrives shortly where they will look at different chords, strumming patterns and melodies.

Rock band auditions for the Grade 6s have started last week with the singing auditions. Drums auditions have followed this week with guitar, bass and keyboard to follow.

I look forward to sharing music with the wider community as the year progresses.