F-6 MUSIC & CHOIR

FOUNDATION and GRADE 1

Our youngest students have made a lovely start to their 2021 Music studies. They have been listening, singing, playing musical games and moving to music during their first three weeks of school.

Grade 1 students have been singing, moving, enjoying musical games and playing percussion instruments as they settle back into their Music studies. They have also started the exciting journey of learning how to read and write the marvellous language of music.

Students in Foundation and Grade 1 will take home a piece of work from their Music lesson to share with their family. This maybe a song to sing with you, a story to tell you, or the title of a piece of music they listened to in class that they would like to share with you. Check your child’s school bag for their Music work and encourage them to share their Music learning.

Patricia Sutcliffe

Foundation and Grade 1 Music

GRADES 2-6 MUSIC & CHOIR                  

Hello!

I hope everybody is settling into the routine of Term 1…. what? Hang on – there WAS a routine for about a week but as I write this, my ‘normal’ routine (and yours), has all but vanished! Now for me, it’s back to working from my desk at home for way too many hours – and wishing I was moving and creating music with your children in the BPS Music Room! However, I try to remain positive while we get through these strange times together. One of my favourite mottos ‘It is what it is’ helps me NOT work myself up about things (not ALL things – I’m only human!). I figure there’s not much we can do at the moment except follow the rules enforced by our government so I’m trying to do that ‘joyfully’. Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I WAS joyful that my kids’ extra-curricular activities were cancelled on the weekend - I was exhausted from the busy-ness of my ‘normal’ routine …. so a short ‘stay-cation’ was welcomed in the Shacklock household – at least by me!

Please read below for more information about: 

• Grade 2-6 Music Lessons
• School Choir
• Band Recruitment Evening (& Tips for Practising Your Instrument) - see the 'Band' section of the newsletter
• Music Appreciation

        GRADES 2-6 MUSIC LESSONS

Grades 2-6 Music Showbie Codes

If your child has not logged into the Showbie app, please do so using the code below for your child’s year level. I will be using the Showbie app during the year to consolidate and extend students musically - not just for Remote Learning. If you don’t have access to an iPad, you can log in on a computer.  

2021 Grade 2 Music Stars! ⭐️                 Code - L72L7

2021 Grade 3/4 Music Marvels! ⚡️       Code – 3BAT6

2021 Grade 5/6 Music Legends! 😎      Code - AWNYA

Week 3 – Chinese New Year Celebrations in Music

Grade 2-6’s celebrated the New Lunar Year of the Ox. Students impressed me with how to say the names of the animals in the Chinese zodiac (unfortunately they weren’t as impressed with my pronunciation!) We listened and moved to music from China while using our colourful dancing scarves. There’s something so enjoyable yet cathartic about holding a soft piece of fabric while dancing to music. I’m not the only one who feels that way – see the photos of students below - there were lots of smiles and laughter!

Grade 2

We are working on ‘feeling’ the rhythms (number of sounds) in our names – using body percussion, playing games with ‘beat people’, swapping positions and writing their correlating rhythms (see photo below). This is to ensure students have a solid understanding of beat and rhythm BEFORE formal notation is used.

Grades 3 & 4 

Students are consolidating their understanding of simple rhythms to music from China.

Week 4 – Combining Music with Art – inspired by the artist Kandinsky

This week Grades 2-6 students learnt remotely and the response from their music lesson was amazing! I am so proud of their efforts (see photos below). I aim to feature some mp4’s of more creations on the BPS Facebook page.

Mrs Dixon has previously introduced Grades 3-6 students to the abstract paintings of Russian artist, Wasily Kandinsky. Kandinsky felt that 🎨 PAINTING 🎨 had the same power as 🎶 MUSIC 🎶 and that sign, line, and colour should correspond to the vibrations of the human soul. Throughout his life Kandinsky experienced ‘synesthesia’ - a neurological condition in which information meant to stimulate one of your senses actually stimulates one (or more) senses. In Kandinsky’s case, when he heard sounds, he saw colour and vice versa. 

Using Chrome Music Lab, students created Kandinksy-inspired sound-paintings of their names.  Ask your cherubs to show you what they created during their lesson! 

This week we used https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Kandinsky/ but there are many more options for creating on https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/ 

I’m hoping to explore Chrome Music Lab in more detail this year. Check out the links above – they’re great for creativity and so much fun – for all ages!!

SCHOOL CHOIR

What a wonderful turn-out of Grades 4-6 students during our first trial Choir session! I am so proud of all students who had the courage to attend – especially those who came without their close friends in tow! Well done! 

We are very fortunate to have musical Mr. Merlino attending rehearsals and assisting with Choir. We began singing ‘Dance Monkey’ by Tones and I and the kids (and I!) had a ball. Mr Merlino and I are looking forward to teaching songs from a variety of genres this year.

Providing school returns next week, there will be two more trial sessions so that students can come along and see what Choir is all about……so if your child has expressed an interest in Choir, next week is the time! Please encourage them to be brave and have some fun with us. We finish at 1.30pm so there’s plenty of play time left in the yard (if missing out on lunch time is a concern for your child)! 

What happens after the final trial session? 

If students do NOT wish to continue Choir – at least they gave it a go! They may like to try it again next year – and that’s OK!

In order to fully develop a sense of belonging, the Choir requires a commitment from each member. Those enrolling need to look upon this membership as a serious commitment and earnestly endeavour to attend all practices and performances. We see ourselves as a team and therefore must act as such. Accordingly, we ask students and parents to sign a commitment notice which indicates that the responsibilities pertaining to Choir membership are understood. Continuing students will have access to all vocal and backing tracks, song lyrics, sheet music etc. which I will set up in a Choir Folder in Showbie.

Here’s some information about Choir from last week’s Newsletter:

Involvement in School Choir is a non-cost activity. 

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, movements and provide ideas for our Choir Performance clothing. The Choir will perform at:

• Open Night for Education Week (May)
• Oxfam School’s Music Festival (August)
• BPS Evening of Music (November)
• BPS Christmas Carols Evening (December)                                                                                                 …… and other opportunities that may arise!

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?

I love music and learning everything I possibly can about it - music history, theory - you name it. However, there are a few musical genres that will most likely (I won't say "never") find their way into my CD collection (yes, I STILL buy CD’s!) Having said this, I do have an appreciation and understanding of these styles. One of my passions as a music educator is to expose students to a broad range of music so that they, too, can develop an appreciation of different styles (which doesn't necessarily mean that they'll like them!) This is how BELL MUSIC came to be!

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:

Mixed Genres, Country, Aussie Artists, Orchestral Music, 1960’s, 

Songs from Musicals, 1980’s, Instrumental Music

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

Have a great week!

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock                                         

Grades 2-6 Classroom Music & Choir Co-ordinator