Music
Students and I are so excited to be back doing hands on music and all levels are very enthusiastic about expanding their knowledge through using the instruments and creating rhythms and melodies.
Choir will recommence soon and will be held at 2pm on a Monday. It is open to any students from Grades 3 – 6.
I am very excited that this is production year! Plans are already underway as we choose and edit potential scripts, start thinking about costumes and begin to finalise a suitable venue.
At this stage, it is hoped to stage the production in Term 4 and all students will be performing on stage. More information regarding auditions for speaking roles will be issued early in Term 2 and opportunities will be open to students in Grades 5 & 6.
Stay tuned!!!!
F/1
The Grade 1 students are enjoying teaching the foundation students some of their favourite songs from last year including “8 Apples & Bananas”, “When You’re Feeling Crook” and “Mr Clicketty Cane”.
We have been moving to the beat, exploring different actions and how we can respond to variations in tempo.
We are working on rhythm patterns using non melodic percussion instruments such as tambourines, claves (rhythm sticks), maracas and tambours (hand drums). We are discovering the many different places on the body we can play our instruments and we even played them on our bottom!
A large emphasis is on aural skills; listening to and echoing patterns and lyrics and melodies.
2/3
Students are expanding their understanding of rhythms and beginning to improvise simple 3 note melodies on keyboards, marimbas and xylophones using chord triads such as C, E and G.
Using their own 4 beat rhythm, we are playing as an ensemble with individual melodic rhythms performed simultaneously. They sound amazing! We hope to maybe perform at Assembly at some stage. If you have a keyboard or similar instrument at home, perhaps your child can show you what they have been doing and you can play along with them.
4/5/6
Building on previous knowledge, ensemble work is continuing to focus on using the root notes of chords to accompany songs and beginning to understand chord structures.
Practising more complex rhythm patterns on percussion instruments is a large focus of ensemble work. Our lessons are loud, vibrant, rhythmic and entertaining as I am sure Luke would attest to, after he joined us for some marimba work last week.
This is also something families can do at home. It’s great fun creating beats and rhythms even if you don’t have any instruments. Grab some wooden spoons, saucepans, spatulas and plastic bowls and everyone can “play” along.
