Program Outline

There are four initial stages for the establishment of a music program based on the principles of El Sistema in Venezuela. They are modified to Australian requirements and whilst these form the general framework for the program, the time for each "section" will vary depending on the children – everything is about the child and their collective progress, not about the 'demands' of a music program!

Section One

In the first section the children will learn the basic fundamentals of music, and musicianship. They will learn about the structure of music through learning simple rhythms, movement and singing. At regular intervals children will go on excursions to orchestral concerts, or musical ensembles will visit the school, to enable the children to see what the instruments are and hear and see music being played. Students will:

• Develop the readiness for true music competency
• Sing in tune, move rhythmically, and expand music vocabularies
• Participate in musical activities that will prepare students for the coming year of the program
• Be exposed regularly to professional-calibre, live music
• Learn about different styles of music and how to listen to them
• Learn to listen and respect music in a live performance

Section Two

In the second section the children will progress with singing/movement and recorders/ukuleles will be introduced to put knowledge of music and rhythm into action, and to train their ears to notes, scales and simple music. At regular intervals children will go on excursions to orchestral concerts, or musical ensembles will visit the school, to enable the children to see what the instruments are and hear and see music being played. Students will:

• Learn fingering and mouth position (on recorder)
• Learn note and rhythm reading, breath support and development of the inner ear
• Be introduced to 'ensemble' Have choir singing
• Be exposed regularly to professional-calibre, live music
• Learn about different styles of music and how to listen to them
• Learn to listen and respect music in a live performance

Section Three

In the third section the children will be introduced to the main instruments of an orchestra – the strings, the woodwinds, the brass and the percussion. They will continue their progress with singing and movement, the recorder/ukelele and be introduced to basic music notation. At regular intervals children will go on excursions to orchestral concerts, or musical ensembles will visit the school, to enable the children to see what the instruments are and hear and see music being played. Students will:

• Hone skills developed in the previous terms – movement/singing/recorder/ukelele
• Have choir singing
• Be exposed regularly to professional-calibre, live music Learn about different styles of music and how to listen to them
• Learn to listen and respect music in a live performance
• Third section will conclude with performance incorporating dance, recorder, rhythm and singing – everyone invited from the community.

Section Four

In the fourth section the children will be given an instrument – violin / 'cello/ clarinet / trumpet. They will continue their progress with singing and movement, and basic music notation. At regular intervals children will go on excursions to orchestral concerts, or musical ensembles will visit the school, to enable the children to see what the instruments are and hear and see music being played. Students will:

• Have weekly instruction on trumpet, clarinet, 'cello, violin; musicianship training
• Have choir singing Learn the assigned instrument for five weeks
• Be exposed regularly to professional-calibre, live music
• Learn about different styles of music and how to listen to them
• Fourth section will conclude with performance incorporating trumpet, clarinet, 'cello, violin and choir singing – everyone invited from the community.