Prep them well for VCE

Middle School Performing Arts

Year 5

The Year 5 Performing Arts course builds students' knowledge and skills in the areas of Music, Drama and Dance. In the area of Music, students explore key elements by describing and classifying sounds made by a variety of sources. They continue to develop their musical knowledge through classroom music appreciation and by playing the recorder. Students experiment with composition techniques, manipulating elements such as: tempo, dynamics, pitch and rhythm. In the area of Drama, students primarily explore: gesture/movement, use of voice, improvisation, scripted plays and co-operative group activities. In Dance, students learn improvised and choreographed dance and movement, developing kinaesthetic and physical skills.

Year 6

The Year 6 Performing Arts course builds upon students’ knowledge and skills explored throughout Year 5 in the areas of Music, Dance and Drama. In Year 6 Music, students explore instrumental music with weekly tuition on a band instrument from either the woodwind or brass family. Key skills and knowledge include note reading, rhythm reading and the interpretation of the elements of music, explored through practical performance on a band instrument. In the area of Drama students explore: gesture and /movement, use of voice, improvisation, scripted and /open-ended plays and co-operative group activities. In Dance, students expand upon their Year 5 skills through a wider range of genres. Improvised and choreographed dance and /movement continue to develop kinaesthetic and physical skills.

Year 7

In Performing Arts students are able to choose from the following semester electives (maximum of 2 electives):Music Technology or Music Performance and Dance or Drama

Year 8

Students are able to choose from the following semester long electives (maximum of 2 electives):

Music Technology or Music Performance or Dance or Drama

Music Technology
Students use music software to arrange and compose original music with the goal of having them performed and presented. Through composing for different instruments and in different styles, students develop their aural, theory and music literacy skills culminating in a digital portfolio of pieces.

Music Performance
Students focus on preparing and creating music in a class ensemble and in small groups. Students are able to use instruments that they are learning in private lessons or have learnt in the past. A range of tuned percussion and guitars are also available. Music Performance enables students to practically build upon knowledge and skills developed in previous years of Performing Arts courses. Through playing, students will develop their aural and theory skills.

Dance
Students learn choreographed dances and create their own small group performances. They explore safe dance practice, dance terminology and have opportunities to reflect on their own work and that of professional artists.

Drama
Students create and perform improvised drama individually and in groups. They explore, identify and discuss their understanding of key Drama elements, conventions and styles. They are given opportunities to reflect on their own work and that of professional artists.