Music to our Ears

This term in music, we have been exploring instruments and doing a lot of singing 

and movement.  

Grade 5-6 students have made a fantastic start on the recorder. We’ve been playing along with backing videos by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra which make us feel like real soloists! Through this we’ve also been learning about orchestral instruments and the different groupings in which they play (for example, a string quartet). 

Grade 3-4 students have been busy refining their ukulele skills, and have recently started learning to tune their own ukuleles… a tricky task, but they are always up for a challenge. Our favourite songs include Iko Iko, and Best Day of My Life. 

Grade 2 students have been playing ukulele as well, learning C and F chords to play their first songs. They have also been learning the folk song and dance “Old Brass Wagon” and are working towards mastering the complex “promenade” move in pairs. Through this we are learning important music skills like working together, following a sequence of steps, listening, singing and moving to the beat. 

Grade 1 students are busy singing and moving with many action songs and games. They had their first introduction to the ukulele, and it was impressive to see the way they were able to focus and work together as a group. They also enjoy percussion and we recently revived a favourite song performed with claves, “Simama kaa”, which they first learned with Mrs Moynihan. 

Prep students have been enjoying exploring body percussion and also playing on drums and claves. We sing some songs with actions which help develop their ability to hear the music “in their head” (the technical term is audiation). Ask them about the chicken on a fencepost!

It has been wonderful to be welcomed back enthusiastically by all the students after my time away. Many thanks to Mrs Moynihan for taking such good care of the classes in my absence. 2023 is shaping up to be a fantastic year, as amongst other exciting developments, we’ll be moving music classes into the new hall, and establishing the official JPII Choir! 

Pictured: Grade 2 students enjoying percussion

Hannah Krishnan 

Music Teacher