Music 

Welcome to Term 3! 

I hope you all had some 'down time' during the holidays – I certainly did! I deliberately made no new plans and only did the things I had already scheduled months ago. It was nice to have freedom and time to just ‘be’.

I enjoyed a lovely night out seeing ‘Midnight - The Cinderella Musical’ with some of my BPS colleagues. It’s always wonderful to support a new musical – especially one written by Australians!

Seeing the John Farnham documentary ‘Finding The Voice’ at the cinema was another highlight – and a must-see for any fans of Aussie music. It tracks the personal and public journey that has made John one of Australia’s greatest and most beloved musical artist (1986’s ‘Whispering Jack’ is still the highest-selling Australian album of all time). Since its cinema release on May 18, the film has become the highest Australian grossing feature length documentary of all time and the fourth biggest grossing feature length documentary in Australia ever.

As soon as the movie ended, I wanted to see it again - and was pleased to learn that I can. It will shown on Channel 7 and 7 plus on July 24th.  For those who didn’t see it at the cinemas, I’d highly recommend it… just be prepared to have Farnsy’s songs stuck in your head for days to come! 

Please read below for this term's music news:

• NAIDOC Week
• F-6 Music – Term Overview & Performances
• Showbie Music Folders
• Choir
• Music Appreciation

For all Band & Ensemble news, please see the Band page of this newsletter. 

NAIDOC Week

                                        Why does Australia celebrate NAIDOC Week?

In 1955 it was decided that Aborigines Day should include a celebration of Aboriginal culture, heritage and achievement. This is now celebrated as NAIDOC Week, which highlights the achievements of Indigenous people all over Australia.

The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is ‘For Our Elders’. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. 

https://www.naidoc.org.au/awards/current-theme

During the school holidays I attended a Songlines tour of Melbourne with Carly and Kerrie M. It was led by an elder and it was a brilliant yet humbling experience. I learnt so much, but also realised how more there is to learn about Australia’s history. What was highlighted to me was the importance of BELONGING – it doesn’t matter where you live as long as you are connected to your family and country.

Students in Grades 1-6 had some great discussions during our lesson about NAIDOC Week and Songlines, particularly regarding the importance of Elders in our community. Our Elders are the knowledge holders – we need to respectfully listen to gain truth and understanding. 

Foundation – Grade 6 Performances

This term all students are preparing musical items for year level performances. Once items are almost ready for an audience, families will be notified via Compass and Showbie with further details on performances. Keep an eye on the Compass Calendar, too. Some performances may take place during assemblies, some may be filmed during our music lessons and shared on the BPS social media pages (for students with publicity consent).

Foundation

• The Wild Horseman – composed by R. Schumann (dance)
• Earth Day is a Special Day
• We’ve Got the Whole Earth In Our Hands
• Rhythm Stick Line Dance
• 'Trepak' from Nutcracker – composed by P. Tchaikovsky (study of form / structure)

Foundation T were the first class to use our new Indigenous instruments - rain sticks and clave sticks! 

Showbie (Grades 1-6)

All students should have access to their year level’s Music Showbie folder. 

If your child has not logged back into their Music Showbie folder with their new iPad, the codes to join are:

Grades 1/2:  ACE2D

Grades 3/4:  JET74

Grades 5/6:  YEN66

Why use Showbie?

I add activities we’ve focused on in our lessons as some students like to:

• practise, consolidate or extend their knowledge in a particular area
• share information, songs, new genres, dances with their family members
• provide students with the opportunity to share their suggestions or interests with me

When I add to Showbie, I let students know this during our music lesson. If they would like to explore that particular topic at home, they are encouraged to do so outside of the music classroom. Please note - this is not mandatory! 

Some student responses regarding recent Bell Music genres:

Grades 1 & 2

The stories and traditions of the continent’s remarkable First Nations have been kept alive through music and dance.

Cultural Heritage – where have your mob (parents and grandparents) originated from?

Students shared their cultural backgrounds - most students were aware of their parents and grandparents birth origins, which was wonderful to see!

Students are learning the songs below using movement and instruments (tuned and untuned). Songs focus on caring for our Earth and respecting different cultures.

Grade 1

• Inanay (Indigenous Australia) 
• This Is Our World 
• The Syncopated Clock – composed by Leroy Anderson (study of form / structure)
• Fugledansen (The Birdie Dance)

Grade 2

• Taba Naba (Torres Strait Islands)
• Down Under In Australia
• Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
• You Are My Sunshine 
• Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and his Comets

Grade 3 

• Sesere Eeye (Torres Strait Islands) - song with movement, sung as a round
• Blues Medley (instruments)
• I Just Love ABBA
• Cabbage Cafe

Grade 4

• Walking to the Left – song with movement, sung as a round
• The Wellerman – Sea Shanty
• Grumpy Sailor Riffs
• Blues Medley (singing)
• Chopsticks
• Round the Sun

Grade 5 

• I Am Australian – The Seekers (with Auslan hand signs)
• The Bunny Hop
• Changing Times
• Sambalele – Brazilian Folk Song

Grade 6

• Why Does the Sun Shine? – They Might Be Giants
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
• Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye
• Theme from ‘Star Wars’ – John Williams

Choir 

Choir rehearsal will continue on Mondays from 1.00-1.30pm in the Music Room. All new songs and vocal warm-ups are uploaded to the Choir folder on Showbie. If your child has not re-joined this folder since receiving their new iPad, please ask them to enter the join code KAGMA. 

I’d like to commend our Grades 4-6 choristers on their commitment and enthusiastic approach to Choir each week. Singing together certainly provides a feeling of connection to others which, in turn, brings us joy and positive energy.

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?

Each week a different musical genre (or style) 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. 

Students and I are always discovering new artists and share these during our lessons. This learning is rich and organic. As an example, the K-Pop genre was requested by a number of students in their Showbie Music folders. I love learning about what our students are interested in and naturally discovered many new things whilst researching K-Pop and South Korea. Broadening understanding of music, society and cultures from certain times and places is so rewarding. 

The musical genres showcased in Term 3 are:

Week 1 - K-Pop              (Showbie: World Music and Celebrations – South Korea)

Week 2 - Motown         (Showbie: World Music and Celebrations – North America)

Week 3 - 2010’s             (Showbie: Music Through the Decades)

Week 4 - Waltzes                         

Week 5 - Mixed Genres

Week 6 - Elvis!                  (commemorating the 46th anniversary of Elvis Presley)

Week 7 - 1980’s Aussie Artists

Week 8 - Songs from Musicals     (Showbie: Stage and Screen)

Week 9 - Mixed Genres

Week 10 - Country 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

Yours in harmony,

Lisa Shacklock                                                   

Classroom Music, Choir Co-ordinator & Band Liaison (M-W, F)

                                        "Do something worth remembering" - Elvis Presley