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Music: Orchestra Class

“The aim and final reason of all music should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment of the spirit.” Johann Sebastian Bach

OVERVIEW  

Students will have the option to select either Orchestra Class or continue General Music Class in Years 5 and 6 

ORCHESTRA CLASS: Students in this course undertake the learning of an orchestral instrument as a ‘beginner’, carrying this instrument learning through to Year 7. In addition to the allocated 3 periods of Music per cycle, Orchestra students also participate in 28 small group lessons spread throughout the year. In these lessons they gain the skills to play their instrument and learn to apply it to the music they learn and perform together. Additional commitment to practise of the skills learned in lessons will ensure good progress throughout the year. Skills gained in the process of learning an instrument include development of: big picture thinking, time management, perseverance, problem solving, creative thinking, patience, communication and collaboration. This course is designed to build on the knowledge gained in Prep to Year 4 Music, allowing students to gain life-long skills and engaging them in musical learning through their own instrument choice.  

Students explore how the elements of music are used to communicate meaning in the music they listen to, compose and perform. They play and sing music in different styles, and from various cultures, demonstrating aural, technical and expressive skills by singing and playing instruments with accurate pitch, rhythm and expression in performances for audiences. Music literacy is developed through written, oral and aural activities. 

TIME ALLOCATION  

  • 3 periods per cycle  
  • 28 small group instrument lessons 

TOPICS INCLUDE  

  • Instrument skills 
  • Singing and Solfege  
  • Performing for others 
  • Composition 
  • Music Appreciation and History  
  • Musicianship - theory and aural  

REQUIREMENTS  

  • Booklist items  
  • Orchestral Instrument (own, or College provided & levied) 
  • Music Satchel (retain from Year 4) 

ASSESSMENT  

  • Performance - solo, group  
  • Composition 
  • Written work  
  • Observation  

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre, Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150