Instrumental music
Instrumental Music Policy
At Park Lake State School students have the opportunity to audition for instrumental music instruction on the following instruments:
Year 3: Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
Year 4: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Guitar and Percussion
All Music lessons are aligned with current curriculum documents to encourage every child to succeed in their music education.
Students that are successful in their application at the end of year two or year three will then have a thirty minute small group lesson during school time, and also participate in a weekly ensemble rehearsal before or during a school lunch break. The school band and orchestra rehearsals usually run before school or during break times and consolidate musical learning from small group lesson time. Therefore it is essential that students participating in the program attend their required ensemble.
Students at Park Lake who are members of the Instrumental Program have many opportunities throughout the year to participate in performances on assemblies, to parents, to their peers, at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Fanfare and other school workshops and camps. The Band workshops usually run in term two and Strings in term four.
Currently the school is working hard to expand their lower string section and received, as donation, several new cellos which are available for students to hire out. Although there are some school instruments available for hire on an annual basis, students are largely expected to provide their own instrument such as violin or clarinet.
As a music extension, Park Lake has also nominated a number of very high levelled students in year five and six to participate in the week long "Advanced Music Camp" at Tallebudgera Beach School during the last week of term two.
Performing arts
Classroom Music
“Music has the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, exciting the imagination and encouraging students to reach their creative and expressive potential. Skills and techniques developed through participation in music learning allow students to manipulate, express and share sound as listeners, composers and performers. Music learning has a significant impact on the cognitive, affective, motor, social and personal competencies of students.” (ACARA Music Rationale)
Every student at Park Lake State School has a specialist music lesson each week. To ensure the best outcomes for students, the program is aligned with current curriculum documents. Students are encouraged to participate fully in music lessons and have fun while engaging with the curriculum. Students are provided with a wide range of experiences to develop their skills in music with a particular focus on creating, performing and responding to music. The basic elements of the weekly Music lessons are beat, rhythm, pitch, movement, performance and composition through a repertoire of songs and rhymes. Prep and Year 1 provides the foundation for these skills and encourages confidence and resilience to promote participation in further years. Years 2 and 3 continue to develop the skills experienced in the first two years of school. Students begin to read formal music and play the glockenspiel and chime bars. Years 4 and 5 build upon student knowledge of reading and composing music through learning the recorder. Year 6 students consolidate the knowledge they have gathered during the previous years and spend time during the year learning to play the guitar.
Choral Program
Park Lake State School currently runs 3 choir groups per week. The groups do not require auditions and all students are welcome to join the group relevant to their year group. There is no cost to the program; however, students do sign a form with an undertaking to attend rehearsals and performances. If there are performances outside of the school such as Eisteddfod, there is usually a cost per student for bus fare. Each choir performs a number of times a year in different settings including school Performing Arts Concerts, for visiting exchange groups, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and school assemblies.
Year 2/3 Junior Choir – Wednesday 11am-11:30am
Senior Choir (Years 4-6) – Monday 8:00am-8:35am
Our Choral Excellence Program offers extension opportunities for selected students. For further information please refer to our Excellence Programs information tab.
Musical
Park Lake State School presents a musical every second year. In 2023 staff and students will present Seussical Junior. Park Lake takes great pride in the work and dedication that goes into preparing and presenting musicals. Parts are auditioned and all students who wish to be involved are given the opportunity to do so. Auditions will begin in early 2023