Music / Performing Arts

We are very proud of our Music and Performing Arts Program at Hartwell which plays an integral part of student life, integrating with many areas of the curriculum. The Music Program develops key skills in exploring, creating and making different styles of music. Students develop skills in singing, dancing, performing, musical theory and playing, using tuned percussion, ukulele and various other instruments.

Our students learn the language of music from Foundation and basic theory is taught and encouraged alongside the practical and creative side of the program. The philosophies of Orff and Kodaly underpin all classes and we incorporate all this musical knowledge into both structured and unstructured performance with a whole school production taking place every second year and opportunities within classes to improvise, create and compose their own music and dance.

Many students are also involved in the various musical clubs, either before school or during lunch times and there are always opportunities in Music class for small groups to create, rehearse and perform for each other.

Senior Choir, Middle Choir, Junior Choir

Children at Hartwell love singing and we have several choirs across the different levels specifically for students who love to sing and want to develop their performance skills. Rehearsals are either before school or at lunchtime and the students perform

at various local community events such as Lynden Aged Care Centre and the Oxfam Music Festival at Boxhill. There are always many performance opportunities within the school calendar such as Special Assemblies, Open nights, School fete, Art Shows, end of year concerts and of course, Christmas Carols.

Drum Band

Drum Band continues to be a strong tradition at Hartwell Primary School. It is an auditioned ensemble consisting of Grade 5 and 6 children who rehearse weekly to fine-tune their rhythm skills and create their own compositions. Like the choirs, Drum Band also perform at various school and local community events such as the Oxfam Music Festival, school assemblies and Grade 6 Graduation ceremony.

Instrumental Program and String Ensembles

Hartwell has a large instrumental program with skilled and dedicated teachers for piano, violin or viola, and guitar. These lessons are very popular and the students often love to bring their instruments along to the class music program and play with a class ensemble or at an end-of-term class concert. There is also an option for the violin/viola students to join the Junior or Senior String Ensemble. Each instrumental teacher organises performances for their own students and the ensembles are encouraged to join in and perform at many of the school events.

For information about our instrumental program please click here.

School Musical

Every second year, Hartwell Primary produces a whole school musical. All students participate in the production with lead parts being played by students in Grade 5 and 6 and all classes singing and dancing within a chorus. Many students choose to be involved with the organisational side and work with costume and props teams, audio teams and stage management. The production requires a lot of hard work for the whole school, however it is so beneficial for students’ confidence, self-discipline and pride.

The last production of The Lion King in 2019 was a huge success and was a brilliant showcase for the talents of all our wonderful children.

Our vibrant, inclusive and diverse music program opens many doors for our enthusiastic and talented students and also brings great joy to our families and the local community.