Westgarth Primary School's acclaimed music program helps build learning skills and well-rounded intelligence as well as developing 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 use of tuned and untuned percussion instruments, giving children 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, and enhanced by offering recorder classes – which can continue to Year Six - as well as a Junior Choir. Children from Grade 4 upwards also have the opportunity to participate in after-school guitar tuition.

At Year Five and Year Six level, these experiences are developed into more creative work, whether it be using traditional percussion instruments or voice. There are also opportunities to study flute and clarinet after school, to sing in the Senior Choir and play in the Senior Band.

The music room is situated in the Clarke Street building opposite the gym.

The school's music program also contributes to its well-known performance program, which includes the school's triennial 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 and violin tutor and a woodwind tutor.  Students from Year 3 can participate in violin lessons.  Students from Year 4 up can participate in guitar and violin.  Students are able to start woodwind from Year 5. For further information please click here.

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.