Performing Arts

Music

Drama

Choir

All year levels develop aural skills by exploring the elements of music. Through singing, movement, and composition students explore rhythm, tempo, pitch, dynamics and duration. Year Pre-primary to Year 2 students learn through playing percussion instruments including marimba and djembe drums. To promote music literacy and performance practice, Years 3 and 4 students learn to play the recorder and Years 5 and 6 students play the ukulele.

All year levels learn how to perform in a musical, exploring the different elements of music, drama and dance such as voice, facial expression, gesture, responding in fictional role and body movement, learning how to maintain focus and character. A variety of types of performances are introduced at different year levels exploring poetry, choral verse, puppetry, dreamtime theatre and twisted fables.

All students from Year 1 to Year 6 are offered the opportunity to sing in a choir. Students are required to make a commitment to learning songs from memory and attend rehearsals, and all performances for the whole year. Our Junior Training Choir and Senior Performance Choir perform in music events at school such as the ANZAC Ceremony, NAIDOC Assembly and IMSS and Choir Assembly. A highlight for the Senior Choir is the annual WA Massed Choir Festival, which takes place in Term 3.

Marimba Ensemble

Newbeatz Year 6 Band

Musical

Volunteer Year 5 and 6 students form a lunch time marimba ensemble. The marimba ensemble accompanies students and the choirs, including Wanjoo and the National Anthem at whole school events.

Year 6 students audition for a lunch time rock band. Instruments include electric and bass guitars, piano, drums and vocals. The Newbeatz perform at the annual IMSS and Choir Assembly.

At Newborough Primary School we stage a biennial musical.  Students from Year 3 to Year 6 perform the chorus parts with main cast auditions open to Year 5 and 6 students. Students experience an authentic theatre production hosted at Churchlands Senior High School concert hall. Different elements of theatre are explored and include costumes, make-up, sets, props, lighting and sound. Previous musicals: Seussical Jr (2019), Matilda Jr (2021) and Shrek Jr (2023). Volunteer community and staff members are involved in creating the production.

Instrumental Music School Services (IMSS)

In addition to our classroom music program, students may be offered instrumental scholarships, provided by IMSS. These lessons begin in Year 5 and continue through to Year 12. The instruments offered include trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, and classical guitar. Students participate in a 30 minute group lesson each week. IMSS students perform at the annual IMSS and Choir Assembly in Term 4.

Entry into the program is based on:

• Performance results of an aptitude test (Musical Aptitude Indicator – MAI test)
• Student interest in learning the musical instrument offered
• Parent commitment and support
• Musical ability as demonstrated in class music activities
• Attitude towards homework
• Physical suitability to playing the selected musical instrument