BMG 2020 Grammarian Issue 2

12 MUSIC During the remote learning period, rather than posting pre-recorded videos, the Music Department decided to conduct complete classes that engaged the students for the entire session. We held a meeting in Term One to determine exactly how much of our existing curriculum we could deliver remotely. For the Junior and Middle School classes, we created new slideshows that featured short videos, questions, rhythm clapping, group singing and online exercises (designed to strengthen their knowledgeof music theory and composition). We also created comprehensive pages on Schoolbox so that the students could revise in-between classes. For the Senior School classes, we were able to deliver the majority of our curriculum by creating new resources for the students (in the form of backing tracks and instructional videos). The Year 11 students impressed me the most as they performed to each other every Friday during Period 5 & 6. This was a great way to end the week and made a huge improvement to their technical and performance skills. Individual instrumental lessons continued as normal and were successfully delivered via online platforms. I have been very impressed with the way that both the students and staff adapted to this new learning environment and believe that special credit should go to my Year 12 students as they simply ‘just got on with it’, so much so, that they are almost a term ahead with their VCE/VET coursework. Mr Troy Westgarth Music Department Krupa Panchal, 11E Andrea Laure, 1WA Maddison West, 10A