Classroom Music
Teacher - Mel Tenni
Isabella State School boasts a music room with some fantastic equipment both in the classroom and on the stage. There is enough un-tuned and tuned percussion to create whole class ensembles. A class set of Ukulele’s, keyboards for students to share, quality audio-visual equipment including a ‘Front-Row’ classroom microphone system for hearing impaired students. Our stage system includes a comprehensive fold-back, as well as a fully programmable 24 LED light system.
Key features of the Orff approach for teaching music are;
Music, dance and language are inter-related and animated through rhythm.
When children discover, invent, improvise and compose, their experience of music is intensified. These creative activities are complementary to those of interpreting and listening to music.
All who take part are encouraged to contribute, not only vocally but also instrumentally.
The Orff approach to music education is many sided; it is concerned with practical music-making, it provides fundamental experiences and it lays the foundation for a comprehensive musical training.
Movement games and activities for body awareness in space, time and flow, lead to movement improvisation and dance forms.
Music and dance have been notated in many different ways in history. Various ways of writing down sounds and music, as well as playing from and interpreting different kinds of sources are being explored.
http://www.schott-music.com/worldofthemes/education/classroom/orff_schulwerk
Instrumental Music
Students wishing to undertake more formal music tuition including higher level theory than is taught in the classroom have excellent opportunities at Isabella State School.
Strings
Emma Baker teaches strings for half a day at Isabella. 2016 was the inaugural year of teaching stringed instruments at ISS (violin, viola & cello). As the ensemble grows we hope Emma can find the time to teach a full day at our school to develop her ensemble and perhaps one day join the concert band to create a full orchestra.
If you have any questions about the Strings Program please do not hesitate to contact Ms Baker at elbak0@eq.edu.au
Percussion
Sophie Elston teaches woodwind, brass and percussion. The Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Program creates a new ensemble each year using new students from grade 4 and the students that work through until the end of year 6. The highlight of the year is our Band Camp where we gather all the students from southern cluster schools to create a large working ensemble. This is an essential experience for students looking to join high school bands and orchestras.
If you have any questions about the Percussion program please do not hesitate to contact Sophie Elston selst0@eq.edu.au