Music Report
STRINGS PROGRAM UPDATE
We’re diving into another term of rehearsals and lessons with the strings program in term 2. I’ve been impressed with the dedication and commitment to learning the year 3 beginners have shown. This has meant we’ve been able to work through their method book at a faster pace.
Strings students are preparing for two performances this term. If you’re at the school fete, listen out for the strings performances at 2:30pm. There’ll be performances from our beginners and second-year learners, a combined string ensemble and our advanced chamber strings group.
We’re also rehearsing for the school’s Winter Concert at the end of term where the junior, senior and chamber string ensembles will perform. Also at the end of this term, 2nd year strings players are looking forward to their two-day non-residential Southside Junior Strings Workshop on June 25 and 26 at Coorparoo State School.
Mrs Tamsyn Eastgate
Strings Teacher
METROPOLITAN CHORAL HONOURS CAMP
A recount by Jerusha in 6A:
Four students from our school were chosen to participate in the Metropolitan Choral Honours Program from the 25th to the 27th of March. They were Morgan, Jerusha, Cameron and Elyssa. These students were incredibly lucky to be chosen out of 100 students from the Metropolitan region. What is this program about? This program is all about interacting with a whole lot of students from different schools and about developing new choral singing skills. The first two days were spent learning our songs as a group and then we split into boy and girl groups to practice and learn our different songs. The teachers were funny and they engaged well with everyone. One of the teachers made up her own song about her cat which was funny and good to sing and hear.
On the last day of the program, we had a concert where we performed all the songs we had practiced. The seats were packed with parents and school music teachers. When we were singing, the sound was echoing in the hall and the songs were so beautiful to listen to. I would like to thank all of the music teachers including Mrs Easey for encouraging and supporting us and for giving us this wonderful opportunity to enjoy and have fun with singing.
A note from Mrs Easey:
I had the honour of attending the final performance on the evening of the 27th and was absolutely amazed at the level of skill that was demonstrated by the students. All performers had only 3 days to learn and memorise up to ten songs which they often sang in 2-3 part harmonies, sometimes with actions and sometimes in other languages. Our students should be immensely proud of themselves. They represented Yeronga State School exceptionally well and have embraced the opportunity that was given to them to extend their musical skills. Well done!
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
The Yeronga State School Fete
On Saturday May 25, the Senior Band, Strings groups and Junior and Senior Choir students are expected to perform at the Yeronga State School Fete. The schedule of performances is as follows:
2:30 – 3:00pm – Strings perform (Year 3 beginners, Year 4 group, Year 5 group and Senior Chamber Strings)
3:15 – 3:30pm – Cosmio Singers perform (Year 2-3 Junior Choir)
3:30 – 3:45pm – Stella Voce perform (Year 4 – 6 Senior Choir)
4:00 – 4:15pm – Senior Band perform
All applicable performers will receive a note with more detailed information soon but please reserve these times now.
The Combined Winter Showcase
The Combined Winter Showcase will occur on at the Yeronga State High School Hall. The Showcase will commence at 6pm and all of our ensembles (except the P-1 Piccolo Choir) will be performing. Therefore, if your child is a member of Stella Voce, the Cosmio Singers, Senior Band, Junior Band, Brandenburg Strings or Stradivari Strings, please save this date in your calendars.
Classroom Music
Currently, every year level is immersed in the formal assessment process where they are either composing, performing or responding to music they perform or listen to. This week’s current focus is on the Prep year level.
Prep
Prep students are currently completing their first singing assessment task. In every lesson, students have been practicing singing using their ‘high’ singing voices (as opposed to singing with a speaking-type chest voice). They have been learning how to listen and sing in tune, small songs with a 2-3 note range, pitch-matching their own voices to my singing voice. To prepare for their assessment task, students were asked to improvise a word that describes how they may feel before drawing a matching facial expression onto a paper plate. Students then sang the song ‘Hey Hey, Look at Me’ for their class, adding in their improvised word into the correct place. I am so proud of how these Prep children are singing so bravely and confidently for their friends. Check out some of their wonderful faces:
Yours in Music,
Lauren Easey