Music is an integral part of life at Fairholme Junior.

Weekly Lessons

Starting with our Kindy students and continuing through to Year 6, our students enjoy dynamic, Kodaly based, weekly Music lessons with a specialist music teacher. In these lessons, musical skills are developed and honed and the joy of making music is paramount.

Additional Opportunities

The program is complemented by:

• numerous choirs
• a string orchestra
• concert band
• several smaller ensembles
• Year 2 String Program
• Year 4 Band Program.

Annual Performances

Our annual Junior School Arts Showcase is performed by every student from Years 1 to 6 and our Christmas Musical features our Kindy to Year 3 classes. 

Music Tuition

Private tuition is also offered across a range of instruments.

Students may elect to study an instrument or voice from full time staff members or visiting specialists who offer lessons during school hours, or at lunchtime, before or after school by arrangement.

Studies have indicated that students who learn a musical instrument tend to develop their cognitive skills at a faster rate. The physical activity involved with playing a stringed instrument for example, combined with the intellectual focus, engages both sides of the brain in a way that is quite unique! The benefits of learning a musical instrument cannot be overstated!

The following are offered for all students at the College:

• Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
• Brass: Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone)
• Guitar - acoustic & electric
• Bass Guitar
• Highland Bagpipes & Drums
• Singing
• Piano
• Pipe Organ
• Percussion - Orchestral & Drum-kit
• Theory
• Aural Musicianship Training
• Music Technology.

As well as the many performance opportunities for our students during the year, students may undertake AMEB or Trinity College examinations. 

Individuals and groups may also participate in the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, combined school festivals in Toowoomba and Brisbane and other community events.

Experiences in Dance allow our students to express themselves through movement and responding to music.

Fairholme Junior students from Kindy through to Year 6 participate in dance lessons with a specialist dance teacher for one term each year.

These weekly lessons focus on learning age-appropriate choreography and movement to the beat of fun, contemporary music covering a range of different styles of music and dance moves. 

In addition to these classes, the students incorporate dance into their annual musical showcase performances.

Building confidence, developing dramatic flair and providing opportunities to perform are core elements in our Junior School Speech & Drama program.

Weekly lessons with a specialist Drama teacher commence in Year 2 and continue through to Year 6.

Every student is featured in our annual arts showcase performances and the students are given additional performance opportunities at assemblies and through performance-based activities such as Toowoomba Eistedfod, debating and OptiMinds.

Attendance at live, professional performances throughout the year enhance out students understanding of theatre and performance.

Private tuition is also offered in the area of Speech and Drama with specialised teachers.

The Arts are fundamental resources through which the world is viewed, meaning is created and the mind is developed,’ Elliot W. Eisner, Professor of Education and Art, Stanford University, 1997.

Visual Art lessons are undertaken with a specialist teacher each week in our Junior School Art room for all year levels, Prep to Year 6, with students participating in a wide range of learning experiences that challenge their ability to think, create, respond and reflect on artworks.

In making artworks, students define and solve visual problems by using visual language and expression, experimenting and applying media to communicate thoughts, feelings, ideas, experiences and observations.

In responding artworks, students investigate artistic expression and critically analyse artworks within diverse contexts.