Term One 2010

Hey everybody,
This year has started off well in the Music Department at Balmoral. We are now finally in our new music suite and things are beginning to take off. There is still a lot of change to happen but we are up and running nicely. Some of the changes will be to boost the technological aspect of music making by installing Macintosh computers in the music classrooms. These will enable the children to explore modern post production music techniques as well as the ability to use the skills acquired in music class within other Mac programs used in the school.
The itinerant programme here at Balmoral is beginning to get back on track after the hold-ups to do with the building of the hall last year. There are four teachers from various providers teaching in the school and they currently teach throughout a major chunk of 4 school days. Lewis Eady's is planning to come and do a promotional concert in the first term. I will also be asking other providers to do the same. It is my goal to promote the itinerant programmes amongst the children so as to provide a beginning point for those that are learning instruments to get involved in school bands and performances.
The music groups have had major interest from students with many trying out for the Rock band and also taking part in the ukulele orchestra and instrumental group. This is a promising sign that music and performance related activities are a big draw card for students and that the cultural life of the school is doing well. There are some talented students this year in the Rock Band and in the Instrumental Group with individuals that are picking up the tunes and songs very quickly. So we look forward to some great performances.

Wishing everyone a great and successful year.

On the importance of music

Here is a link to an interesting article about how music affects our brains. It also makes a case for the musicality of all people.

mp3 player trial

this is a trial of an mp3 player there is no sound.

term two Y5/6 instrument making

Some of the Year 5 and 6 kids made their own instruments in term two. Here are a few outstanding examples. These were projects that the children completed at home. It is very impressive to see how resourceful and creative they are.

Old Mac II

This is the second video of Old MacDonald continuing the chords. There is also a pic of the song and chords attached.

Ukulele Recap

Hi everyone I am trying a new venture here - ukulele video lessons. These are meant to be a recap on lessons taught at Balmoral School as well as providing extension for students wishing to continue studying and improving their ukulele playing on their own. The first video recaps part of the lessons taught to the Y 5/6 students using the song Old MacDonald as a learning tool for playing simple melodies and chords. Have fun!

Term one 2009 - music at Balmoral School

Hi everyone,
We have started the year off well at Balmoral in the music classes having fun and learning lots of cool things.
The Year 3 and 4 children have been continuing to use the time blocks from last year with some great results in understanding time values and music symbols. We have learnt a variety of games using this equipment so that now the classes can be split into groups to work independently on each one. I can then go around to each group and assist those that are needing help. The favourite game so far seems to have been playing Shop with the time blocks. We are also continuing to use the Music Room resource to learn about other music concepts.
The Year 5 and 6 classes have been learning to accompany the song Junkanoo using a variety of tuned and untuned percussion instruments. It is great to see the stundents learning to cooperate in groups to produce a cohesive group performance. The addition of ukuleles to the school instrument selection has been a source of fun and new learning for the Year 5 to 8 students. Many have picked up the basic skills of ukulele playing very fast and it will be exciting to see how far they will go in learning this rewarding instrument. Here is a link to a very cool ukulele solo on the jazz standared tune All Of Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISj9LVIZbEY

Here's another - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

...and here is a good site for basic ukulele chords and strumming from
Hawaiian music supply on you tube

Have fun!!

The new hall building is in progress and should be up around the last term of school. This will be great for the music classes because we will finally have a music classroom and practice studios.
All in all we have had a great start to the year and I look forward to continuing to participate in the children's discovery in the coming terms.