Performing Arts - Drama

Drama units are taken in the course of the school’s literacy program.A bi-annual whole school music production also enables all students to polish and perform to others.Recent productions have been The Little Mermaid, Kidsummer Night’s dream and Alice – The Musical.

Performing Arts - Music

Mount Waverley North Primary School has a seven year developmental program in music. Music Education is one of the specific learning areas of the school curriculum.

Some of the goals that the music program seeks to develop are:

• To develop skills and techniques as a musician and to be able to perform at formal and informal concerts
• To sing, play, create, move, listen to a variety of music
• To experience and use musical instruments: including percussion instruments, xylophones, glockenspiels, recorders and drum stick rhythms.
• To introduce students to formal music notation
• To be disciplined to practise and polish pieces for performance
• To listen, form opinions, discuss and analyse music
• To appreciate music from other cultures, times, and contexts.

The program at Mount Waverley North Primary School should empower the students to know their musical strengths, be confident in communicating in music and also be willing to further pursue music as a recreation, study or career. By embedding the use of regular informal and formal performances of student work will enable all students to experience the rewards of working towards a goal.

In Level 1 (Preps), students will experience singing, dancing, listening, playing and creating music through many songs and activities. They will learn to use their voices by speaking, singing and whispering. They will join in games that help to develop each student’s sense of beat, rhythm and pitch.

In Level 2, students develop some recognition of music symbols. Skills are strengthened through singing games. Activities develop the awareness of musical concepts, the ability to listen for specific musical elements and the skill of practice and presentation of their own music works.

In Level 3, students learn the descant recorder. In this class they experience formal written music and the skill of ensemble playing. In their general music class, students participate in a variety of activities like: singing, moving, dancing, playing and creating.

In Level 4 students further develop their musicianship through a variety of activities offered as elective classes: choir, recorder or xylophone ensemble and also the ‘user pays’ programs in piano and orchestral instrument instruction. General class lessons will strengthen students’ knowledge and ability to read and sing or make music. Activities enable students to work individually, in small groups or whole class.

For some interactive music making go to www.musicavivainschools.com.au and select ‘In schools’ then ‘On Line Activities’, then select ‘The Viva Zone’.