Lower School Music

Music is an important part of the Lower School curriculum. Children receive weekly music lessons from a specialist teacher, weekly song practice and many children choose to have individual instrumental or vocal tuition. We currently offer tuition on piano, classical guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drum kit, violin, ‘cello, trumpet, recorder, harp and voice. We are able to source tuition on other instruments. Most children in Year 1 and 2 are members of our lunchtime choirs who perform regularly in school and community events.

In Lower School, children develop general musicianship skills largely based on the Kodály methodology. The voice is used as the principal instrument with folk songs and rhymes being the emphasis of the lessons. Children develop skills in beat keeping, simple rhythm work, developing the aural memory, an awareness of pitch and other musical concepts through simple games.

These musicianship classes serve as a firm foundation for whole class music making as children progress through the school. There are extensive extra-curricular music opportunities open to all children in the school – Year 1 Choir, Year 2 Choir, Middle School Choir, Senior Choir, Lower School Band, String Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Group and Aural training. These are in addition to our elite Godfrey Searle girl and boy choristers.