Performing Arts includes the three disciplines of music, dance and drama. Of the three subjects, music is compulsory and is studied for three periods a week in year 7 and 8 at this school. In year 7 an introduction to the other two subjects of dane and drama is included in Performing Arts so that students can make informed choices of electives for year 8.

Because Performing Arts in year 7 is the student’s introduction to music, dance and drama, the six concepts of music, and the dance/drama concepts of communication through movement and language are experienced through a variety of topics.

Year 7
Topic 1 – Sounds Around Us
In this topic we get the students listening to the sounds around them in a new way and making up their own compositions using unusual sounds including body percussion and sounds in the environment. Students also hear compositions which have used unusual sounds such as typewriters and vacuum cleaners with the orchestra, bird sounds. Less unusual but interesting pieces which borrow instruments from other cultures in a rock band setting are also played. Percussion instruments from other cultures and their use and identification become a significant part of the study of this topic and children learn to use many of the percussion instruments. This is the beginning of encouraging students to appreciate a wider variety of musical styles and increase student acceptance of other cultures and their music.

Topic 2 – Why We Sing
Singing is the cheapest and most readily available means of making music. Most people love to sing and it is present in all cultures from the least to the most highly developed. It is a highly valued means of expressing emotions and conveying messages from the personal to the political. It is remarkable that in western culture it is the last means of making music that most people consider after about the end of primary school (earlier for boys), especially here in Australia. Given the opportunity in a supportive environment Year 7 enjoy revisiting songs they already know from special occasions at home, or from primary school and then learning new material appropriate to their age. Amazingly we discover some real ‘performers’ as we break out the microphones and plunder the karaoke CD’s, DVD’s and other resources to revive children’s interest in using their voices to sing for fun. A growing appreciation of their parents’ LP and CD collections, and the ritual, worship and entertainment value of song is one of the benefits of this program.

Topic 3 – Sound Sources and Topic 4 – Music In Action
The final two topics of Year 7 continue to help students develop as listeners and participants in music activities. Students are introduced to simple keyboard and guitar pieces during performance lessons in the final two terms. Other lessons focus on studying orchestral instruments and their uses in a variety of music styles and finally learning more about the huge number of ways music is used world wide in advertising, films, dance, worship and ceremonies throughout history.