The Arts at Oakleigh Grammar

CALYSTA MORGAN

Acting Head of Arts

This year we are aiming to extend the opportunities our students have to experience the Arts while at Oakleigh Grammar. A big part of this is adding more instrumental music options (in particular strings) and ensembles.

Recorder is used in Music classes in Years 2 and 3, and Ukulele in Years 4 and 5. Some students may already play these – or other instruments – proficiently enough to want to share their skills with their peers in a more social and student-directed setting. As a result, in addition to JS Choir, we’re trialing JS Wind Band (Mondays), JS Ukulele Group (Thursdays), and a mixed Rock Band (Fridays). Wind Band players will need to use their own instruments, but students will generally be able to use School instruments for Ukulele and Rock rehearsals.

Our Year 6 students are being given a crash course in a wide range of instrumental options, with many having the opportunity to try violin, bouzouki, trombone, saxophone and many more for the first time.

Middle School students from Year 7 onwards, continue to be able to use their pre-existing (or even non-existent!) skills in keyboard, drums, guitar and voice in a Musical Futures-based approach (involving informal and peer teaching, and working on repertoire and instruments in which teenage students have an interest).

Students in these year levels are encouraged to also take advantage of the specialist knowledge of instrumental staff running the ensembles, and in particular consider coming to Rock Band rehearsals.

With an undercurrent of respecting and promoting the Hellenic culture on which Oakleigh Grammar is based, JS and MS/SS Greek Dancing Club (Fridays) will again be running, and already planning has started for events as far away as the Glendi in November.

Likewise students participating in JS and MS/SS Choir (Tuesdays) will be working on pieces in both Greek and English, with some students already excitedly making recommendations for works the ensembles can learn.