Performing Arts

An ACER (Australian Council for Educational Research) study conducted in 2004 identified the following range of “enabling” skills and attitudes that are enhanced through a student’s active involvement in the Arts:

• the development of self esteem
• the encouragement of thinking and reflection
• the development of planning skills
• learning how to work co-operatively in a team/group environment
• the development of social skills
• the development of literacy and numeracy skills

In recognition of this, Scots students are involved in a multi-faceted Arts program from an early age to help better prepare them for the demands, challenges, pressures and rapid innovations that dominate today’s world.

Primary Musical Program

Instrumental: The Primary Instrumental Program at Scots begins in Year 2 as part of the curriculum, where all students experience a terms’ compulsory tuition in violin.  Instruction is provided in small groups with qualified instrumental teachers.  This program continues in Years 3 & 4, culminating with the Orchestral Band Program in Years 5 & 6.

In The Orchestral Band Program students participate in an introductory process with tutors to ensure they select an appropriate instrument from the wide range of Concert Band instruments and String Orchestra instruments available for study.

The Primary Instrumental Program enables students to learn through an active, co-operative process. In addition, students are able to feel a true sense of accomplishment and achievement through their involvement in “live” performances held at the School.

Vocal: Singing provides an enjoyable aspect to the Primary Musical Program curriculum.

The Scots School has six junior choirs:

• The Infants Choir (Years K-2)
• The Middle Primary Choir (Years 3-4)
• The Senior Choir (Years 5-6)
• The Combined Choir (Years 3-6)
• “Boys Singing Badly” (Male Choir Years 3-6)
• “Dazzling Divas” (Female Choir Years 3-6)

These choirs perform at the Albury Wodonga Eisteddfod, The Scots Musical Festival and at other “official” school events such as Speech Day, The Scots Country Fair and Grandparents Day.

Co-Curricular Program: An extensive Co-curricular Musical Program is also offered at Scots. Students with the enthusiasm and commitment to attend regular rehearsals (either at lunch time or prior to school commencing) are encouraged to participate in these programs.

The following activities are available:

• Instrumental:
  • String Ensemble (Years 5 & 6)
  • Junior Primary Strings (Years 1 - 4)
• Vocal:
  • Combined Choir (Years 3 - 6)
  • Cantabile (Years 5 - 9) - an auditioned choir which includes secondary students
    

The Scots School Pipe Band:  The Pipe Band holds a special place in the musical life of the School, where it leads many of the formal ceremonies held on campus throughout the year.  The calibre of the band places it in strong demand within the local community.

Members of the band are recruited from both primary and secondary levels.  At Primary level, the “Primary Pipes” Program aims at instructing interested students in the techniques associated with Chanter, Side and Tenor Drum.

It is intended that students from this program will form a Primary Pipe Band and continue on to later become participants in our well renowned and traditional Senior School Pipe Band.

Primary Theatrical Program

The value of involvement in the Arts is evident in the extensive Primary Musical Theatrical Program on offer at Scots.

Annual events such as the Infants Production (involving all students in Years K-2), the Years 3 & 4 Entertainment Evening as well as the Senior Primary Production (Years 5 & 6) provide all our primary school students with a myriad of opportunities to showcase their talents on stage in front of a “live” audience.

Students in Years 5 & 6 have the additional opportunity to participate in a program of “Theatre Sports” - a series of workshops where students learn stage performance techniques.

Infants Production

At our annual Infants Production our audience is always astounded as to how such young children can produce such a splendid performance, but the answer is opportunity, preparation and expectation. As long as a sense of reality is kept foremost in the planning of such a show, our Year K-2 students consistently prove that they are more than capable of rising to the challenges - to the enjoyment and entertainment of all!