Our music department has been a hive of activity this term with over 200 learners having individual instrumental lessons and finally music ensembles and CCAs in full flow. We have had our group photos for the yearbook and our music ensembles have begun performances to a live audience! The Guitar Ensemble Performance and the Y12 CAS Gig were well received and our musicians have also been involved either singing or playing in the band for the Secondary Production of Mary Poppins.

Meanwhile our Secondary music teachers Mr Fordham and Ms Lambert have been busy inside the music classrooms too, with units of work focused on different musical genres and cultures.

Please see below some highlights of what's been happening in the music classroom this term. There is also learner work and performances shared on the individual CANVAS sites.

Ms Clare Lambert

Learning Area Leader for Music

music@nexus.edu.sg

Year 7 have been investigating the drum kit; working individually they have been tasked to perform a simple ska or rock beat, include riffs and play in time along to a choice of backing tracks. Learners have had the option to extend their learning by performing using well-known drumless tracks and even continue with 1:1 instrumental lessons. The Y7s have rocked it out in this MYP unit which focuses on the ATL 'communication' as they have had to hone their practical skills, performance skills and listening skills.

The Year 12s have had a very successful term. Firstly, they opted to coordinate a Charity Gig in aid of the Children's Cancer Foundation, raising over $2,000! They have also participated in a film composition workshop learning how to use the software Logic Pro in further details led by Philip Tan. Their Area of Inquiry has been focused on music for screen and motion. This has been an exciting topic where the learners have research many film composers, gone back in time to programmatic music and even delved into the world of gaming. They have experimented with melodies, explored new styles and researched a variety of composers. They have begun to create their own imovie and arranging music accordingly.

INCREDIBLE!!!!

There are so many people involved in putting a show together and this show is no exception. The wonderful thing about school productions is that it brings the community together and staff and learners who don’t normally cross paths, get to know each other and build lasting relationships. I would like to start by thanking Ms Cooper, Mr Preece, BK Gan and the Taylors group for believing in the show and allowing it to go ahead in very uncertain times.

As the director of the show I would like to take a moment to thank the following people for their tireless efforts over the past three months and for just being superhuman in general.

The Nexus marketing team, Jeremy Lewis and Izaril Ismail for capturing our rehearsals and spreading the word of our show.

Zul & Amin and their amazing team of tech crew, these guys are responsible for all the sound, lighting, and backstage work.

Monica De Waal and Karianne Di Salvo, these absolutely incredible ladies spent hours of time sourcing all the costumes for the show, hemming skirts, making props, checking sizes, organising hangers and making the cast look SPIT SPOT!

Ed Bailey and Marco Storri who constructed the set and managed the projections, laser cut all sorts of things and stayed at school long past working hours cutting holes out of endless pieces of wood! THANK YOU

Pat Vlad and her design team for creating original background imagery for the show, your work created such a unique look that has never been done before... THANK YOU

Meher Verghese and Jo Bevan for leading your team of props makers and providing the show with all the kites, gingerbread stars, painted scenery and just adding that extra sparkle and pizazz.

Andrew Fordham and Clare Lambert for their tireless hours rehearsing, editing, recording and re-writing pieces of music. A special mention to Andrew for working with the incredible band on this production, THANK YOU.

Stephanie Hughes who choreographed the dance numbers and spent many hours with me on a weekends rehearsing the show and bringing it together ... adding those magical ‘wow’ moments that made the show pop. THANK YOU.

I also need to thank Victus for catering for all of us for the nights of the show, and Stageclub for lending us your fireplace!

And finally to all the learners involved. What a monumental effort you have put into this show. For some of you this was your first full scale production and a bit of a shock to the system. I am so very proud of you, and I have loved every minute working with you. Thank you for putting up with my crazy over-stressed yelling. I hope you will all come back for more next year!

You are all practically perfect to me.

Miss Kim