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> Music
Music is an integral part of the curriculum at Mt Barker Waldorf School, which has a thriving music program including instrumental playing and singing for all students. While most of the program is encompassed during school hours, ensembles may meet before or after school and some groups meet in break times. Performances are typically after school, evenings or at weekends. Each year students from the high school who wish to participate perform a musical (usually Gilbert & Sullivan) at the end of Term 2.
Overview of the Music Curriculum
In Class One, Music is a holistic part of the day, with songs and rhythms for the many different activities. The pentatonic recorder is introduced to complement the children's singing. Simple percussion instruments are also occasionally used.
In Class Two, songs become more sophisticated, but are mostly in the pentatonic scale. More complicated rhythms can be enjoyed using a wide range of percussion instruments. Folk dancing is also a part of the children's musical tuition.
In Class Three the children are introduced to descant recorders. 'Musical notation' is one of their Main Lessons and they learn to read and write music. All of the children learn a stringed instrument in preparation for ensemble music in Class Four. They begin to sing rounds and two-part songs, and learn to accompany their singing using bell plates.
In Class Four the children begin to play in a string orchestra, playing violins, violas and cellos. They continue singing rounds and part songs and continue learning recorder, using more complicated pieces and a wide range of scales and arpeggios.
In Class Five the children can diversify their choice of instrument, learning from private tutors, mainly during school hours. They can then begin to play in the junior school orchestra or guitar ensemble. Many students also choose to join the junior choir. In class they learn three-part songs and recorder pieces and are introduced to the alto recorder.
In Class Six, the children continue playing in the junior orchestra and guitar ensemble and sing in the choir. In class they continue their study of scales and arpeggios and are introduced to tenor recorders.
In Class Seven the children are encouraged to continue with private music tuition on instruments of their choice. They are introduced to bass recorder and can now begin to play some of the Renaissance repertoire for four-part recorders.
Music in the High School
The High School students continue to learn a variety of musical instruments and are encouraged to play in the orchestra and in other ensembles and some of them enjoy playing the music for the various plays within the school. At lunchtimes students are encouraged to 'take to the stage' in the outdoor entertainment area, where they can play their music to an appreciative audience.
In a more structured setting, the students learn melodies, rhythms and eventually harmonies, in order to better understand the language of music and, therefore, to begin to think about ways of responding to it. They learn about composers of the past and how music developed throughout history.
The Class Eleven Main Lesson covers Music History from the earliest 'Pre-History' era through to the present day. Students have the opportunity to develop a new appreciation of the many styles of music as they follow the evolution of the art through history. They have, at this stage, reached a level where they can gauge their own response to music appreciation.
Orchestra & Choir
The junior school orchestra comprises students from class 5 to 7 who have sufficient skill and experience with their instrument. Participation in the junior orchestra is part of the school curriculum and is not optional for students who are capable of being involved. There is also a junior choir for students from the same classes.
The senior school orchestra is for High School (Class 8 and above) students. They usually meet outside school time.
The senior choir consists of all students in Classes 10, 11 & 12. There is also a specialist singing group for senior students.
Private Music Lessons
The school has arrangements with a number of instrumental teachers who offer lessons at the school for one half hour per week. These are arranged by parents through the teacher in charge of the Music Department and billed directly by the instrumental teachers, whose names are available from the school Music teacher. Lessons are rotated to ensure that children do not miss the same class lesson each term.
Instruments offered include piano, strings, clarinet, saxophone, flute, guitar, drums, recorder, trumpet and trombone.
Parents are free to use any teachers outside this arrangement, which is then a private situation. Such lessons take place outside of the school and not during school time.
All children in Class 3 and 4 learn a stringed instrument, (violin, viola or cello) as part of the school’s strings program. From Class 5 onwards they are free to choose another instrument.
Music is an integral part of the curriculum at Mt Barker Waldorf School, which has a thriving music program including instrumental playing and singing for all students. While most of the program is encompassed during school hours, ensembles may meet before or after school and some groups meet in break times. Performances are typically after school, evenings or at weekends. Each year students from the high school who wish to participate perform a musical (usually Gilbert & Sullivan) at the end of Term 2.
Overview of the Music Curriculum
In Class One, Music is a holistic part of the day, with songs and rhythms for the many different activities. The pentatonic recorder is introduced to complement the children's singing. Simple percussion instruments are also occasionally used.
In Class Two, songs become more sophisticated, but are mostly in the pentatonic scale. More complicated rhythms can be enjoyed using a wide range of percussion instruments. Folk dancing is also a part of the children's musical tuition.
In Class Three the children are introduced to descant recorders. 'Musical notation' is one of their Main Lessons and they learn to read and write music. All of the children learn a stringed instrument in preparation for ensemble music in Class Four. They begin to sing rounds and two-part songs, and learn to accompany their singing using bell plates.
In Class Four the children begin to play in a string orchestra, playing violins, violas and cellos. They continue singing rounds and part songs and continue learning recorder, using more complicated pieces and a wide range of scales and arpeggios.
In Class Five the children can diversify their choice of instrument, learning from private tutors, mainly during school hours. They can then begin to play in the junior school orchestra or guitar ensemble. Many students also choose to join the junior choir. In class they learn three-part songs and recorder pieces and are introduced to the alto recorder.
In Class Six, the children continue playing in the junior orchestra and guitar ensemble and sing in the choir. In class they continue their study of scales and arpeggios and are introduced to tenor recorders.
In Class Seven the children are encouraged to continue with private music tuition on instruments of their choice. They are introduced to bass recorder and can now begin to play some of the Renaissance repertoire for four-part recorders.
Music in the High School
The High School students continue to learn a variety of musical instruments and are encouraged to play in the orchestra and in other ensembles and some of them enjoy playing the music for the various plays within the school. At lunchtimes students are encouraged to 'take to the stage' in the outdoor entertainment area, where they can play their music to an appreciative audience.
In a more structured setting, the students learn melodies, rhythms and eventually harmonies, in order to better understand the language of music and, therefore, to begin to think about ways of responding to it. They learn about composers of the past and how music developed throughout history.
The Class Eleven Main Lesson covers Music History from the earliest 'Pre-History' era through to the present day. Students have the opportunity to develop a new appreciation of the many styles of music as they follow the evolution of the art through history. They have, at this stage, reached a level where they can gauge their own response to music appreciation.
Orchestra & Choir
The junior school orchestra comprises students from class 5 to 7 who have sufficient skill and experience with their instrument. Participation in the junior orchestra is part of the school curriculum and is not optional for students who are capable of being involved. There is also a junior choir for students from the same classes.
The senior school orchestra is for High School (Class 8 and above) students. They usually meet outside school time.
The senior choir consists of all students in Classes 10, 11 & 12. There is also a specialist singing group for senior students.
Private Music Lessons
The school has arrangements with a number of instrumental teachers who offer lessons at the school for one half hour per week. These are arranged by parents through the teacher in charge of the Music Department and billed directly by the instrumental teachers, whose names are available from the school Music teacher. Lessons are rotated to ensure that children do not miss the same class lesson each term.
Instruments offered include piano, strings, clarinet, saxophone, flute, guitar, drums, recorder, trumpet and trombone.
Parents are free to use any teachers outside this arrangement, which is then a private situation. Such lessons take place outside of the school and not during school time.
All children in Class 3 and 4 learn a stringed instrument, (violin, viola or cello) as part of the school’s strings program. From Class 5 onwards they are free to choose another instrument.