There are many music clubs in the Upper Primary at Saltus. Many of our students manage to participate in at least one, if not several of our clubs.
Students volunteer to play their instruments for morning assemblies or for special concerts. Our choirs and recorder groups have participated in the St. George's Christmas Walkabout, at Windsor Place, at the Agricultural Exhibition, as well as at other functions. Our Windband has performed at Harbour Nights. Students enjoy being involved in Christmas concerts and the end of the year concert as well as Carols For All and the Three Department Concert.
Theory Club is the newest addition to the Upper Primary. It is offered to year 5&6 students who have completed a Grade 1 practical exam and is held every Wednesday morning from 8:00-8:30am.
The Menuhin offer group cello lessons every Tuesday at lunch for year 3&4 students as well as group violin/viola lessons every Friday at lunch.
Guitar lessons are available on Thursday and Friday at lunch for year 4,5&6 students
Drum lessons are available on Wednesday and Thursday at lunch for years 3-6.
Upper Primary Classroom Curriculum
The Recorder is used in each of the four Upper Primary years as the instrument for classroom Music studies. "Me and My Recorder," book 1 is used in S3 and S4 with students progressing to "Me and My Recorder" book 2 for the final two academic years.
In addition to the general Music studies, additional instruction is given appropriate to year group levels in the following areas of the QCA schemes of work: Performance and Composition, Musical Concepts, Listening and Music Appreciation. The Orff method is used extensively to integrate movement, speech, rhythm, and melody in classroom activities.
During their four years at the Upper Primary Department students learn about famous composers from the following time periods in music:
Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Twentieth Century. Students are exposed to a wide variety of musical styles including Classical, Jazz and Rock n' Roll to name just a few.