Classroom Music
Music at PEGS is a compulsory subject from Prepatory to Year 8 and becomes an elective subject at Year 9. In the Junior Schools the students participate in a sequential classroom music programme, attending classes twice weekly.
Students learn about the main elements of music through participation in activities involving singing, movement, playing instruments, reading and writing and listening to and discussing music.
Preparatory to Year 2
The Kodaly (singing) approach is used in conjunction with some elements of Dalcroze (movement) and Orff (percussion) approaches to encourage children to enjoy music through active participation in singing, moving to music and understanding of the elements of music at a basic level. In addition to classroom lessons, students in Year 2 are introduced to violin and cello.
Years 3 & 4
Children at this level begin to read and play music on the treble stave using the recorder in classroom sessions. In addition to classroom lessons, students in Year 4 are introduced to brass and woodwind instruments.
Years 5 & 6
Singing for enjoyment and reading and playing the recorder music continues. The curriculum at this level is focussed on the major styles, forms and historical periods of music. Excursions and practical demonstrations supplement the concepts introduced in class.
Rehearsal groups
There are several rehearsal groups within the Junior School which students can join from Year 4
- Junior Orchestra
- Recorder Ensembles
- PEGS Junior Choir (audition choir for Year 5 & 6 students)
- Junior Lunchtime Choir (un-auditioned choir for Years 4, 5 & 6 students, Terms 2 and 3)
- String quartets
Years 7 & 8
Year 7 students are further encouraged to undertake instrumental work, particularly those that are new to the school. Students are offered a wide range of instruments belonging to the areas of woodwind, brass, percussion and strings and the emphasis is on ensemble rather than solo skills. All instruments are provided by the school. The influence of technology on music is also offered for the first time.
The classroom component in Year 7 and 8 expands considerably to include creative, analytical and historical perspectives and deliberately concentrates on an eclectic range of styles. Whilst practical work does not continue into Year 8, students are encouraged to pursue their instrumental strengths displayed in Year 7. A score and CD library is provided to facilitate analytical and historical work.
Years 9 & 10 - Elective Years
These years are very much formative ones for students contemplating music, music careers or even just a strong future interest. Students' musical independence is strongly developed through specialist aural work, creative thinking and intensive analytical work. Again, the eclectic styles are indicative of the emphasis on diversity. Practical work is essential to allow the student to approach the subject via all avenues. With this in mind students must learn an instrument privately; the lesson and instrument (if necessary) are provided without charge.
Years 11 & 12 - VCE
Music, like all other subjects at this level, is shaped by the the VCE curriculum. Students are, however, encouraged to adopt an approach that encompasses more than just the requirements of a set syllabus. They must remain active in school ensembles where they are expected to take on leadership roles. The members of the music staff work closely with these students to ensure that all aspects of their musicality can emerge.
Accompanists are assigned to each performance student for the year and work with that student on a weekly basis to assist the preparation of their programmes. They also attend any auditions to assist students to gain tertiary entrance.