Instrumental program
Shelford runs an instrumental program for students from Prep to Year 8. Incorporated into the Music curriculum, this program offers many opportunities for students with a range of award winning orchestras and ensembles.
The Junior Music Program is offered from Prep through to Year 6.
In the lower primary years, classes are designed to foster a love of musical and creative activity. Orff and Kodaly approaches to music education are incorporated where children are encouraged to develop their natural musical ability through active participation in a wide range of sequenced activities and games. Children develop and build upon their existing conceptual knowledge and musical skills.
In addition to the classroom program all students in Years 3 and 4 participate in the Instrumental Program where they study violin, viola, cello, double bass or recorder. This takes place in groups with the emphasis on fundamental skill development and ensemble playing. All students in Years 3 and 4 participate in a choral program.
In the upper primary years the focus of the curriculum is to develop further each student's musical skill and knowledge. The study of Woodwind, Brass or Percussion Instruments becomes the basis of the Instrumental Program at Year 5 whilst Music Technology is incorporated into the program at Year 6.
A range of co-curricular ensembles is offered to Junior students with many performance opportunities throughout the year. All students learning an instrument are encouraged to be part of a school ensemble and all students are expected to perform at a Lunchtime Recital or Arts Concert.
In Junior School all students participate in Years 3 and 4 Choir and Years 5 and 6 Choir.
Students can elect to join:
- Junior Chamber Strings
- Corelli Strings
- Sheltones
- Weekly Theory Lessons
In Years 7 and 8 Music is part of the core curriculum. The Music program engages students as practising musicians while developing and extending the understanding of music elements (rhythm, melody, form, texture). The program aims to develop students' level of musical understanding and skills to the extent that they will feel encouraged and confident to continue their musical participation beyond Years 7 and 8.
To cater for the wide range of music ability and experience, the Year 7 Instrumental Music program consists of two tiers: one for non-beginners and another for beginners. Experienced students form a class ensemble to further develop technical skills and to enjoy the experience of playing together. These students also study music theory and complete a formal external theory exam. Beginner students learn a band instrument with a specialist tutor, free of charge. These students learn the basics of music and experience the thrill of playing in a band. The Instrumental Program is supplemented with creative music sessions in technology and composition.
In Year 8 the Music program continues in two tiers. Mainstream Music and Extension Music. More experienced students work in an Extension Ensemble class to further develop technical and musical skills on their chosen instrument(s) and to enjoy the experience of playing together. The instrumental environment further develops playing, listening and improvisational skills and encourages more sophisticated strategies for rehearsing, interpreting and presenting as part of an ensemble. A unit on music theory studies further develops this skill area according to each student’s particular level. These students complete a formal external theory exam.
In Term 4 all Year 8 students from both tiers work together to create a combined performance piece.
Shelford offers Senior students the opportunity to be involved in various ensembles:
- Inter Percussion
- Senior Percussion
- Senior Choir
- Inter Harmony
- Senior Harmony
- Jazz Ensemble
- Senior String Orchestra
- Guitar Ensemble
- Flute Ensemble
- Inter Band
- Concert Band
- a variety of chamber ensembles.