Westgarth Primary School's music program helps build learning skills and well-rounded intelligence as well as developing a lifelong interest in music.

Every class has one 50-minute session a week for music. During this time classes participate actively in a sequential program which includes movement, singing, games, development of listening skills and the use of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, giving students experiences in rhythm and beat, pitch, form, expression, style and harmony.

The aim in the first three years of school is to develop basic musicianship and the beginnings of an understanding of how music is notated.

At Year Three and Year Four level this knowledge is developed further into more formal notation skills. Students will learn to play songs as a whole class as well as working in small groups to create music. Students will also be exposed to some simple techniques using ukuleles, keyboards, djembes and marimba which they can use in their music creations. 

At Year Five and Year Six level, these experiences are developed into more creative whole class and small group ensemble work. Students are given opportunities to create their own music as well as working together to learn and play 3 and 4 part notated pieces using a variety of intruments.

The music room is situated on the Clarke Street site between the kitchen garden building and the Westgarth Kinder.

The school's music program also contributes to its well-known performance program, which includes the school's biennial musical.

After School User Pays Music Lessons

After school user pays music lessons are endorsed by School Council as a fee-for-service activity.  The school engages a guitar teacher. Students from Year 4 up can participate in this program and if there are places left, Year 3 students can apply. For further information please contact the guitar teacher directly on 0420 927 498.

Helping your child

Parents can help children improve their musical abilities in many ways. The most obvious of these are to expose them to a wide variety of musical experiences, from pop to orchestral music, and by making music as well as listening to it.

You can also enrol in a wide variety of independent children's musical programs and tuition in Northcote and surrounding suburbs.