Performing Arts at Point Chevalier School
Introduction to class lessons:
At Point Chevalier School we place an emphasis on the creative arts. Through parent donations, the school BOT funds a full time performing arts teacher, Mr Chris Moore, to teach music, dance and drama to all children in the school. Each class receives a weekly lesson of 45 minutes (30 minutes for Y0/1) throughout the year. Lessons follow the guidelines set out in the New Zealand Arts Curriculum.
In Music lessons, use is made of the Kodaly approach to music education. This method is singing based with lessons containing singing games, part singing, sight singing and much unaccompanied singing of predominantly traditional folk music from around the world. These are chosen for their historical and musical value, for their usefulness in teaching an element of music, or because they are fun to sing. One aspect of this approach is the development of the ability to internally hear music. In this way, students start to think musically and are able to begin to read, write and create music with understanding. Kodaly tools to enable this include the use of 'solfege' (where students sing using the names do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti - reinforcing these using hand signs) and the use of rhythm names to enable easier recall of common rhythms. These skills are built up over the years so that by the time a child leaves in Year 6, they possess some useful musicianship skills. Realistically, the children need to have these skills reinforced several times during the week in class or at home to achieve a significant level of musical skill and literacy but, at the very least, our children will be able to sing, learn a classroom musical instrument, read and write to a basic level on the treble clef, and be able to talk about the musical elements in a piece of music with confidence and musical understanding.
In Dance and Drama lessons, the emphasis is on exploring their ability to control and use their bodies to convey meaning in a dramatic context. Students explore the basic elements of Dance (Time, Energy, Relationships, Space, Body Awareness) to create their own simple dance pieces. In Drama, they develop skills in characterisation, improvisation, mime, clowning etc.
Occasionally, we are able to arrange for external professionals to run workshops in school to further develop specific skills in music, drama or dance. In 2012, we have arranged a ballet workshop for all the Year 0/1s. This follows last year's successful work with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company. The Year 4 classes will participate in a 6 week workshop project focusing on contemporary dance based on the science topic 'Forces' in Term 2. Again, this will be taken by tutors from the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company. It promises to be an exciting new project for us.
Through the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Partnership in Schools programme (APOPS) one Year 4 class will be participating in 10 hours of tuition on percussion instruments. This will be taught by a member of the orchestra.
Other groups and learning opportunities:
Children are encouraged to fully participate in music, dance and drama outside of class.
This year we have one choir for Years 4-6; a Year 5/6 marimba group and a Year 4 marimba group (to start in Term 2); a rock band; a ukulele group; a percussion group; a Glee group; junior and senior 'Jump Jam' groups and you will often see children creating dances in the playground in preparation for a performance.
Senior students will have the opportunity to audition for and perform in a Year 5/6 production scheduled for September 18-20, 2012 (Term 3). Auditions will be in Term 2. Title yet to be announced.
Some senior students will have the opportunity to perform as part of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Kiwi Kapers concert on August 22 and 23, 2012 at the Aotea Centre.
We are also liaising with the Auckland Theatre Company regarding another performance opportunity where children will get to work alongside adults, and we are hoping to establish a relationship with TAPAC that will enable our students to gain more access to their superb facilities and expert tutors. These two exciting projects have yet to be finalised. We hope through these projects to expose students to the workings of a professional theatre and to the backstage workings of lighting, sound, set costume design.
Individual and group instrument music tuition:
Children have the opportunity to learn instruments through Lewis Eady Music School which operates during school hours here at school. Each year we have between 120-150 children who choose to learn an instrument either individually or in groups (maximum 4 per group). Instruments on offer include: keyboard, trumpet, clarinet, violin, drumkit, voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, recorder, bass guitar, saxophone, and flute. There is a sampler programme 'Blast Off' where students try several instruments over a term before deciding which to learn and a rpogramme for younger children based on Orff music education principles - 'Musical Jam'. Details of the programmes on offer and costs are available on the Lewis Eady website.