• Developing knowledge, understanding, skills in music expression and appreciation of music as an aural art form.
• Developing music concepts along with an understanding of techniques, processes and the use of the elements of music which can be applied in and stimulate ideas for creating, making and presenting musical works.
• Developing self-confidence through practice, rehearsal and presentation of music.
• Learning to value difference, diversity and uniqueness by appreciating music from different periods and different cultures.
• Developing interpersonal skills by communicating and expressing musical ideas as a member of a group.
• Developing self-esteem through achieving success and a recognition of individual differences.

A sequential classroom program is developed from Prep to Year 6. The objectives of this program are:

• To encourage the children to enjoy singing, to develop an accurate ear and therefore be able to sing in tune, to sing expressively in unison and parts, depending on the age level.
• To encourage children to enjoy listening to a wide variety of music and to develop skills in aural discrimination that will benefit performance and appreciation.
• To encourage children to enjoy playing music confidently with the correct techniques, using such instruments as tuned and untuned percussion instruments depending on the age of the child.
• To encourage children to enjoy moving to music.  Children need to be actively involved in the learning situation. The emphasis should be on physical movement reflecting musical movement.
• To encourage children to enjoy creating their own music: their own melodies, rhythmic patterns, movement to music etc.

This is made possible through the sequential development of the main elements of musical knowledge:

• Rhythm
• Melody or pitch
• Expression, Tone Colour and Style
• Harmony
• Form

At school, music lessons provide opportunities to discover a broad range of music experiences including classifying and analysing sounds, composing, exploring body music, harmonizing, listening, playing instruments, singing, notation, reading music, song writing and recording. In music class, your child will be encouraged to:

• Show care towards others as they listen attentively to a classmate when they perform, as they listen to the ideas of others in creative groups and as they respect and look after the instruments.
• Be open minded as they consider music from different countries and cultures and be open to new ideas from a classmate.
• Be knowledgeable as they are introduced to the conventions of writing music i.e. as they learn about the staff, writing of notes, the elements of pitch, beat, dynamics and tempo.
• Be reflective as they find ways to improve their playing or evaluate a performance.
• Be inquirers to ask questions about what has been introduced in class.
• Be a risk taker i.e. performing in front of others, suggesting a new idea for the class to try. In music there is no wrong, just a different way of doing things.
• Be a communicator i.e. share their ideas, to find ways to communicate feelings, ideas or stories through use of percussion instruments.
• Have fun. The ideal way to engage students is if they are enjoying what they are doing.

At home, parents can help their child in music by always being encouraging, asking what they did in music at school, singing to each other, attending live performances (including free performances offered in the community) and listening to a variety of music at home.

Music excursions and incursions are chosen to support and compliment the classroom curriculum. Students are able to see the creative possibilities within The Arts and further explore them within the school environment.

In the PYP classroom, assessment is an integral part of the effective teaching and learning of music. Assessment provides insights into students’ understanding, knowledge, skills and attitudes. There will be ongoing formative and summative assessments. Students will be assessed by:

• Observing responses whilst participating in music activities.
• Formal testing (aural and written) of musical knowledge and skills.
• Aural and visual observation of performance techniques and choice of instruments
• Observation of their movements.
• Gauging the appropriateness of their graphic representations.
• Recorded and live performances of compositions.

Assessment is ongoing and self-assessment is encouraged.

Each year level from Prep to Year 6 is allotted one hour classroom music lessons per week.