Performing Arts
Specialist Performing Arts Classes
Year Levels - Prep, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weekly Sessions - 50 mins
Classroom Performing Arts
Students from Prep to Year 6 enjoy a holistic performing arts program encompassing music, drama, and dance. They have a 50 minute lesson each week in a dedicated performance space with a Performing Arts Specialist. Our Performing Arts Centre (PAC) provides each class with an abundance of space to move and create a variety of performance comfortably.
Great emphasis is placed on growing the children's confidence and interpersonal skills through an interactive and supportive learning environment.
In the first semester students in junior, middle and senior school engage in a developmentally structured music program that focuses on music literacy and the ability to be play/make music as a group. In Term One students learn a rhythmic element (such as the crotchet, quaver, minim or semiquaver) to build a foundation for reading and writing music. Students consolidate that understanding in Term Two by adding a melodic element such as (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti do) to continue their understanding of how we read and write music and develop their ability to compose and improvise music. We aim to build students understanding of music in sequential and developmentally appropriate steps to assist them in their future music endeavours. In Semester two our focus is on presenting and performing which involves learning an instrument (Ukulele, Piano, Guitar, Marimba), a range of dance styles and drama.
We aim to encourage students to become problem solvers, critical and creative thinkers and culturally literate through exposing them to different forms of drama and dance. Some styles of drama our students explore include Indigenous dance drama, Puppeteering, Kabuki, Forum Theatre, Commedia Del'arte and scripted drama. Some styles of dance include Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Commercial, and Salsa.
Our Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is a well-resourced space with tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments as well as keyboards, drums, ukuleles, steel drums, marimbas, guitars and a P.A. system. As well as costumes and prop items for dramatic play.
Prep Performing Arts
Our prep program focuses on developing students enjoyment and understanding of all areas of performing art. In Term One and Two they are exposed to the elements of music through songs, games and interactive activities. In Term 3 prep students explore dance and movement sequences and in Term Four they explore a range of drama style such as puppeteering and process drama. Prep students are also given time to explore the many musical instruments we have in the PAC, to allow them to become familiar with them in later years music learning.
Middle School Production
Our tradition of musical productions is a unique opportunity for all Year 4 students to participate in a positive theatrical experience. Students develop skills in dance, singing, drama, performance, theatre etiquette and co-operation. All CHPS productions are performed at a professional theatre, to give the children and audience a real theatre experience. Students have access to high quality props, costumes and sets, and show a great deal of enthusiasm for the final performance. Previous productions have included “The Little Mermaid” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”.
As part of their classroom “music theatre” unit, Middle students are coached in how to prepare for an audition, as well as learning the songs and dances for the various choruses in the show.
School Choir
Children in years 3 to 6 have the opportunity to be part of our School Choir, which rehearses at lunchtimes and at 8.15am one morning a week. Students work on a wide variety of repertoire including unison, two-part and three-part harmony, rounds and a cappella music, using contemporary and traditional music.
The Choir performs at the annual school concert, “Stagestruck” in September each year, and has the opportunity to perform in the wider community throughout the year. This includes music festivals and Maroondah council events. The Choir also performs Christmas Carols at the Maroondah Carols, Yarrunga community centre, and in a whole school performance of Christmas Carols on the school oval in mid-December, as well as regular Assembly performances.
Dance Club
In an effort to expand Performing Arts opportunities here at CHPS we have started a dance extension program on lunchtimes. In this student-led program, students have the opportunity to express their enjoyment of dance and develop their fine and fundamental motor skills. They also perform at celebration assembly's and school events to demonstrate the calibre of talent we have here at our school.
Annual Community events
CHPS has a community event for every term! There is the Year 2 concert in Term One, A song and dance extravaganza incorporating themes of our students inquiry topics. Stagestruck is our variety concert in Term Two where all students have the opportunity to audition and perform. Performances have included singing, dancing, playing instruments, dramatic acts, comedy and puppetry. Our annual year 4 Production in Term Three and our annual Christmas Concert in Term Four.
Rock Band
This ensemble is available to those children that have been learning an instrument long enough to be involved in a rock band. Participation is by recommendation from the instrumental teacher. Vocalists, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players come together during Tuesday lunchtimes and work on a contemporary repertoire. They also perform at the many and varied concerts and assemblies throughout the year.
Croydon Hills Additional Music Program (CHAMP)
Children at CHPS have the opportunity to learn an instrument in a program provided by outside specialists in music tuition for school children.
The program is run by community member David Tweedie. For the last 12 years David has been working as a highly sought after musician with many different bands and artists around Australia and other parts of the world. Currently, David is a guitarist and backing vocalist with leading Australian pop stars Guy Sebastian and Anthony Callea, and in the past he has worked with many others, including Delta Goodrem, Aloe Blacc, Lupe Fiasco, Samantha Jade and Shannon Noll. David has also been a music teacher for nearly 15 years, privately and at various schools around Melbourne. He has a Bachelor of Applied Music with Honours, and is currently studying his Masters of Arts (Music Performance) at Monash University.
Students will have fun whilst learning to play their chosen instrument, read music and learn theory. Children can choose between individual or shared lessons with students of a similar age and ability and are offered lessons in keyboard, guitar, drums, bass and singing.
Wakakirri
Wakakirri is Australia’s largest Performing Arts event for schools, involving over 20,000 students across every State and Territory each year.
The aim of Wakakirri is to teach students about themselves and others through creating and sharing stories and by this process developing students’ educational outcomes, lifestyle choices and community awareness. A great story can change the way people think about the world around them and Wakakirri gives schools the opportunity to do just that.
This annual extension program is the Senior School students are given the opportunity to participate in telling their story through dance and drama. Students take part in rehearsals after school during Terms 2 and 3 and take part in the performance heats in Term 3. It is a great opportunity for senior students to extend on their Year 4 Production experience. In 2015, CHPS won an award for ‘Best Blockbuster Story’ and performed in the final awards night at Hamer Hall. Last year our school won best costume and was acknowledged for our theme which confronted screen time and social media use in primary aged children.
For more on Wakakirri visit their webpage HERE..
Read about the benefits of learning music:
© Copyright Croydon Hills Primary School