A lot of kids ask why we do music and it is such a great question. Music connects us to our history, culture and community, as well as our collective emotions, spirituality and values.

At Damascus, students experience these bigger concepts in music through practicing and performing, composing, listening, and analysing music. Year 7 students were asked about what they learned in music across semester 1 and they gave some great summaries. Here are some of the responses:

In music this semester, I not only learnt how to read and write notes, what tempo, rhythm and dynamics is and all the instruments in the traditional orchestra, but I also became a better person, becoming more aware of the things and people around me, how to be more confident not only in performing, but also life in general. Thank you, Ms. de Jong for all the incredible opportunities in music this semester! - Polly Dawson

In music this semester, I learnt how to read notes and compose my own 12 bar composition. I also learnt what tempo, dynamics and rhythm mean and how to find them in a piece of music. – Ava Mende

In Music this semester, I learnt all about rhythm, body percussion, notes and their names, certain instruments, music dynamics, tempo and solfege. Music was so fun and engaging and I can't wait to do it next year. – Tess Fletcher

In year 8, Damascus offers a unit about Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander music and reconciliation in action. Students analyse important Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander songs, learn a song in a lost language, learn about chords, write a song inspired by themes they have explored in Aboriginal songs, and explore the history and emotions we all share through the lens of music. The goal is to be active allies in reconciliation, celebrate all the great music from Australia, and weave students’ personal reflections on these themes into their own musical compositions. We also delve into the remarkable world of Indonesian music and different composition strategies. Here are some responses from our students about the year 8 music curriculum:

I liked having an Aboriginal topic in music and I liked sharing my culture with my classmates in music class. It was great listening to Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander songs. – Kyeema Brown

I have really enjoyed doing music this semester experimenting with the gamelan instruments and music. I love working with others in a group to make music- it's great fun. Having the chance to make up our own rhythms and being able to play them on instruments such as the xylophone and ukulele has been a great learning experience. – Jemima Rowland

This year in music I enjoyed writing lyrics about something I was passionate about. I chose Irish dancing and (as I love writing poetry) I rhymed each line. We learnt a few chords on the ukulele and I put some of my lyrics to them which was a lot of fun. – Ruby Lethlean

There are many other reasons music is valuable and important in education. Research shows that music improves outcomes in the following:

• Literacy: phonological awareness, word decoding, reading difficulties, builds the skill of learning new words, build the skill of using new words, language syntax, and comprehension.
• Executive functioning: modulating attention, attention stamina, focus, verbal memory and fluency, processing speed, cognitive control, impulse control, control of hyperactivity, creativity, task switching, and flexibility.
• Social skills: prosocial behaviour, non-verbal communication, social cohesion, social inclusion, decision-making, engagement, attention, trust and respect, helping behaviours, sharing behaviours, ethics, empathy, depression, wellbeing, and immune health.

Everyone can learn to become good musicians with practice and perseverance, and our junior music students are really acting on the school moto to Be. My. Best.