Music

Dancing, singing, and making noise are fundamental to childhood expression and development. In our music classes, we use play-based learning to teach musical skills and reinforce routines and expectations in a way that focusses on fun as the first priority. Children sing a variety of songs and learn to play non-pitched percussion instruments. They move their bodies in different free and choreographed ways to develop their social, self-regulation, language, communication skills, and creativity within a space where their natural exuberance, appetite for all things silly, and sense of wonder are celebrated! Our Early Years students also have the opportunity to perform on stage throughout the year to share their musical experiences.

All humans have the capacity for musical thinking, and Early Years music education plays a significant role in this development. Additionally, when there is an organic connection between music and any Unit of Inquiry or other areas of the curriculum, such as language, physical education, dance, drama, art, or math, the teacher will support students as they use music to deepen understanding in these areas. Students will have the chance to discover a broad range of music experiences including classifying and analysing sounds, composing, exploring body music, listening, playing instruments, singing, performing, and recording.

Music in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a true celebration and investigation of all things musical, enabling students to engage with, and respond to, music and musical traditions from around the world. They begin to use their knowledge and skills to compose and create performable works as well as learn how to play advanced instruments while focussing on creativity and play as a fundamental part of musical expression. Lessons and activities authentically connect with content that students are learning in their homerooms and other subject areas so they can build their knowledge across disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. By writing an original story and then composing music to go along with it, learning about the history of music and musical games from around the world, and experimenting with the scientific properties of materials as they build their own instruments using the design cycle, students explore the full breadth and depth of the programme. Performance takes on a larger role in the PYP, with students showcasing their abilities and comprehension through solo, small group, and full class performances during their music time, as well as on stage during concerts for their peers and families.

Central to Mulgrave’s approach is a belief that learning through the arts is fundamental to the development of the whole child, as it promotes creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social interaction. Our music programme allows students to discover a broad range of music experiences including classifying and analysing sounds, composing, exploring body music, listening, playing instruments, singing, reading and writing music using traditional and nontraditional notation, performing, and recording. 

PYP Music Goals

• Foster the child’s enthusiasm for the arts through involvement in music.
• Develop the child’s ability to explore, express, communicate, interpret, and create.
• Develop the child’s skill and technical ability in music.
• Provide a safe, stimulating environment where each child is valued and respected, can feel comfortable to take risks, and can share their feelings. 
• Nurture the child’s capacity for critical and sensitive response in music. 
• Advance the child’s knowledge of the ways in which the arts influence and are influenced by society and the environment.
   

Performing Arts in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a liberal exploration of creating, performing, researching, and combining artistic expression in the areas of music, drama, and dance. 

During their music units, students explore a variety of instruments, and develop their skills in improvisation, composition, and music technology and recording, with fundamental music theory and literacy underpinning the programme. Students learn to compose in genres such as protest music, video game music, and electronic music and also perform music from around the world. 

During their theatre units, students focus on theatre for change, theatre design, devised theatre, movement pieces, realism duo scenes, playwriting, and performance. Students begin to explore their own personal connections to dramatic performance and to improve their skills both on and behind the stage and screen. 

MYP Performing Arts culminates annually with Artsapalooza, the final performance of the year where all students in Grades 6-9 showcase their learning across disciplines. Dance, drama, and music are fully integrated as students learn about different cultures from guest experts. Facilitators differ from year to year, but in the past have offered bangra, capoeira, samba, boal, gamelan, shadow puppetry, and taiko drumming - to name a few!
 

LEAP electives allow students the opportunity to engage with a specific area of music in a deeper and more focussed way. Whether they are learning a new skill or instrument or continuing to develop an existing passion, this programme has a place for every student. 

In our Electronic Music LEAP, students learn to produce music using different technologies. Students record sounds, create their own loops, record live performances, take samples, and then turn them into their own original compositions.

In our Guitar LEAP, students develop their technique using different types of guitars while learning contemporary/pop music. 

LEAPs change from year to year and we are looking to expand our programming to include Rock Band and Music Combos.

Music 10 is a joyful, expressive, and engaging course that focusses on working independently and collaboratively to create and perform music from many genres, eras, and contexts around the globe.

Throughout the year, units may include:

• Rhythmic Compositions: students create short pieces for pitched and unpitched percussion in various musical styles.
• Creating Melodies: students learn how to create melody from various stimuli (text, motif, rhythm).
• Group Performing: students learn how to improve their collaboration skills and include their voice in group decision making, applying these skills to a live performance. 
• Solo Performing: students continue to refine their performing skills, working in the genre, and with the instrument of their choice.
• World Music: students explore unfamiliar musical contexts as a listener, performer, and researcher.
• Recording: students learn how to apply art, craft, and film/photography skills to live performance.

Music study in the Diploma Programme (DP) is a rich exploration of creating, performing, and researching diverse musical genres from contexts around the globe. Students’ work in this course is process and evidence-based, where the emphasis is less on the final product, and more centered around the ability to experiment with and discuss new musical contexts and ideas and bring them to a point of artistic fruition. 

Students work both collaboratively and on their own to collate folios that demonstrate their growth as a creator, presenter, and contemporary music maker; there is no final recital or examination. Students do not need to be an accomplished performer in order to achieve at the highest level, they will learn and develop through the course. Students will have a high degree of choice over the projects they embark on, and there is huge scope for interdisciplinary study both within the arts and beyond. As a class, students decide which music performances they will attend throughout the two years to help to inform their own creative decisions. 

Students complete the course with a rich understanding of music and its role in many different contexts and genres. In addition, they gain performance skills that transfer to presentations in any context as well as a deep understanding of the creative process and how to develop and expand ideas into a final product. Students experience firsthand the joy, freedom, and self-accomplishment that comes alongside creative experimentation and expression.

Co-curricular opportunities are offered before and after school to all students who want to develop their abilities, make new friends, and perform in all genres and styles. Groups perform at school concerts and some participate in local festivals such as Kiwanis in Vancouver and Con Brio in Whistler for senior choir and band. Offerings include:

• Choirs (Grade 2-12)
• Bands (Grade 5-12)
• String Ensembles (Grade 4-12)