Performing Arts

The Fairvale High School performing arts program

Head teacher: Mr G. Thwaites

Music is a compulsory part of Year 7 and Year 8. Students can than choose to do various performing arts subjects as an elective. Performing arts subjects are very important and many studies have shown that employers want to employ staff with a committed and “well-rounded” education in many areas including the 'Arts." The FVHS performing arts mission is to provide the important skills needed in the workforce including:

Communication - collaboratively piecing together day to day class ensembles.
Self confidence - performances in front of the class, school and in the community.
Self expression - chances to compose or choreograph.
Leadership - students are encouraged to take control of the ensemble.
Organisation - getting friends together to create.
Teamwork - the 'bread and butter' of performing arts.
Professionalism - polishing performances and accepted etiquette.

The faculty is a well supported and well resourced department with state of the art music, dance and drama equipment. The faculty also has 30 laptops and 60 iPads for student use.

The Department has 3 music learning spaces without standard tables and chairs, 1 large dance drama studio with a wall of mirrors, ballet barres and a sprung Harlequinn dance floor. This room also has drama lighting including 64 light cans and an inbuilt sound system.

The faculty offers courses across Years 7-12. A broad tutorial program is available to all students and the faculty provides a wide range of extra-curricular performance ensemble opportunities in music, dance and drama. The faculty promotes involvement in an eclectic range of musical styles, allowing students from a wide range of cultures and abilities to experience the joy of music, dance and drama through compositions, research and performance.

Students who learn various cultural instruments are also accommodated in all courses from Years 7 to 12.

Music

Courses offered:

Year 7 music (compulsory)
Year 8 music (compulsory)
Year 8 opportunity music classes
Year 9 music (elective)
Year 10 music (elective)
Year 11 Music 1 (preliminary)
Year 12 Music 1 (HSC)

See the Head Teacher for more information on the Music 2 courses:

Year 11 Music 2 for gifted and talented senior art music students.
Year 12 Music 2 for gifted and talented senior art music students.
Year 12 Music 2 extension

The faculty promotes involvement in an eclectic range of musical styles, allowing students from a wide range of cultures and abilities to experience the joy of music, dance and drama through compositions, research and performance.

Students who learn various cultural instruments are also accommodated in all courses.

Stage 4

Year 7 music

Students learn ukulele, glockenspiel, guitar, keyboard and drum kit in Year 7.

The course involves core course work and then some elective work where students are encouraged to make decisions on their own learning.

Mr Thwaites, Mrs In, Mr Calder and Mrs Hsiao have all been teaching at Fairvale High for over 10 years each and as a faculty have created a unique 'music level system' to Fairvale High School.

All the resources and tutorials are accessible on a secure Year 7 music site where students can move at their own pace. There are assessment checkpoints that need to be met however this flexible system allows for differentiation for students at varying levels of musicianship.

Students are marked holistically just as they are in the HSC examination. If a student completes Level 4 to an excellent standard that meets all the criteria they may get a better assessment mark than a student who tries level 7 and doesn't successful meet all outcomes. Students are encouraged to choose the highest level that that they can achieve with success.

Students can continue to learn ukulele, glockenspiel, guitar, keyboard and drum kit in Year 8.

Vocalists, string, woodwind and percussionists are also catered for in Year 8.

There is a focus on ensemble work in Year 8 and skill building.

The course involves core course work and then some elective work where students are encouraged to make decisions on their own learning.

The unique 'Music level system' continues in Year 8 and all resources and tutorials are accessible on a secure Year 8 music site where students can move at their own pace. There are assessment checkpoints that need to be met however this flexible system allows for differentiation for students at varying levels of musicianship.

Students are marked holistically just as they are in the HSC examination. If a student completes Level 4 to an excellent standard that meets all the criteria they may get a better assessment mark than a student who tries Level 7 and doesn't successful meet all outcomes. Students are encouraged to choose the highest level that that they can achieve with success.

Year 8 opportunity and gifted and talented class program

Students are nominated or can elect to be in one of the 4 or 5 opportunity music classes at the end of year 7.

The opportunity classes are for students who would like an opportunity to perform at a Term 2 concert in Year 8, would like to learn in a class without distractions and would like to learn in at an accelerated level with like minded students.

Opportunity music program students:

genuinely have an interest in performing and learning music
may have a private tutor (not compulsory)
watch youtube tutorial clips at home and try to learn their instrument
may have sung in a choir or performed in a musical at primary school
want to be extended.

In 2018 there were over 100 students in the program that performed at the term 2 excellence showcase.

Stage 4

Year 8 drama (NEW in 2019)

In 2019 the Performing Arts faculty is launching an exciting initiative between English and Performing arts to enrich student learning and promote the importance of risk taking, self-confidence, expression, communication, leadership and team building skills.

These skills will assit with future studies of all subjects as well as build useful skills for employment in the future. As part of this program students will participate in a single period of drama each week in 2019 that will link with the English curriculum.

Students will be supported and taught by Ms Payne (English) and Ms Wong (Dance/Drama.)

Stage 5

Year 9 music

Students extend on skills learned in Years 7 and 8. There is a focus on rhythmic timing, ensemble connection and the ability to be able to play several instruments.

In Term 1, students learn complex rhythmic patterns on bucket drums, learn how to create and submit a video for assessment and learn drum beats, chord patterns and melodies. In term 2 students learn extended arpeggio motifs chords and are introduced to solos. Students all have to play and learn the bass, guitar, keyboard, drums and vocal parts of a set song and then at the end of the term are asked to put an ensemble together with their friends to perform their version of the song in front of the class.

In Terms 3 and 4, students do composition tasks and various mash up tasks in preparing them for their Term 4 MADD (music, art, dance and drama) night performance.

Year 10 elective music

Students do intensive HSC preparation of the concepts of music through all performance, aural, musicology and composition activities.

Year 10 music sees the students embark on a three term 'project'. Students cover all parts of the course through a rigorous but fun, meaningful and exciting composition task. Students learn how to create a mash up and perform it as an ensemble at the first showcase in Term 2.

In Term 3, students compose their own piece(s) in a group and create a film clip using the iPads and multimedia software.
In Term 4, students perform at a second showcase.

Year 11 and 12 music (ATAR course)

For a step by step rundown of the course, visit http://hscmusic.thw88z.com/year-11--12.html.

performing arts students dancing — Image: The performing arts students are dancing.