Our Curriculum - Music Program

 The Music Program at Birralee has the goal of engaging all students in the art of making music. In addition to the weekly music classes that all students from Foundation to Grade 6 attend, there is a diverse number of music groups that are available to all students. This includes Junior and Senior Choir, The School Band, Wusickles, The Percussion group and four Orchestras: Foundation, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Orchestra.

In Music Class, the emphasis is on doing! Virtually all grades participate in learning how to play the ukulele, glockenspiel, and African Drums. The Recorder is taught to Grade 3 and 4 Students, Soundtrap, the Web Based music recording program, is taught to the Grade 4, 5 and 6 students. The Grade 6 students are taught how to play the guitar, building on the previous years of experience learning how to play the ukulele.

The objective of the Music Program is to engage and challenge all students, regardless of their level of competence. There is a substantial number of students who take private music lessons, and these students are given the opportunity to perform either individually or as a part of one of the musical groups at the Friday assemblies as well as at the Junior and Senior Soirees. In addition, these students are given the opportunity to perform in front of the class during the weekly music sessions. These performances are videoed and are available on a secure video site for viewing upon request.

Grade Specific Elaborations

Note: As most instruments and programs are presented on multiple year levels, the objective is to build on the previous years’ experience to learn and achieve more sophisticated results from year to year.

Foundation Instruments utilised: The ukulele, glockenspiel, and African Drums. Students are introduced to the basic elements of music; rhythm, beat, pitch and dynamics using musical instruments, their voice or body.

Year 1 and 2 Instruments utilised: The ukulele, glockenspiel, and African Drums. Students expand their understanding of the elements of music to include tempo, expression, texture, and timbre. In addition to using musical instruments, their voice and body, students are also introduced to these elements through the use of My Mini Music Books 1 and 2. Those students that play a musical instrument are encouraged to perform in front of the class.

Year 3 Instruments utilised: the ukulele, glockenspiel, recorder, and African Drums. Students are building on their knowledge of the elements of music in a practical sense by learning how to read music notation while investigating the recorder, as well as working in small groups to create and perform original music compositions based on the musical alphabet on the glockenspiel. Students who play a musical instrument are encouraged to perform in front of the class.

Year 4 Instruments utilised: the ukulele, glockenspiel, and recorder. In addition, students are introduced to Soundtrap, the web-based music recording program. Year 4 students continue their practical experience in reading and writing music through the use of the recorder and glockenspiel. Through the use of Soundtrap, students create, record and present original music compositions. These compositions are made solo and then in collaboration with fellow students. Students who play a musical instrument are encouraged to perform in front of the class.

Year 5 Instruments utilised: the ukulele, glockenspiel, and African Drums. Students continue their investigation of Soundtrap. Students complete their investigation of the ukulele by learning how to play and sing sophisticated pop songs. Students collaborate in small groups to perform original compositions on the glockenspiel and learn how to play and perform songs on African Drums. Building on their previous experience with Soundtrap, students create and present original compositions both solo and collaboratively, as well as creating and presenting podcasts. Students who play a musical instrument are encouraged to perform in front of the class.

Grade 6 Instruments utilised: Guitar, African Drums, and glockenspiel. Building on their prior knowledge on the ukulele, students are introduced to the guitar. Basic chords and strumming patterns are introduced that enable the students to learn a number of pop songs. Original music compositions are created and performed on the glockenspiel. Sophisticated African rhythms are learned, rehearsed, and performed on African Drums. Students finish their musical experience building on their knowledge and experience to create original music compositions and podcasts on Soundtrap. Students who play a musical instrument are encouraged to perform in front of the class.