Arts

Arts:  Performing and creative arts continue to be an important focus at Merimbula Public School, enabling students to develop their knowledge, understandings, skills and appreciation in music, drama, dance and visual arts. Some of the school's targeted arts programs are described below.

• The school has a strong music program and employs a specialist music teacher to tutor individual students and small groups as well as work within classrooms. The school hires instruments to students and has an orchestra that performs in a range of school-based and community settings. Students are currently hiring, and being tutored to learn: clarinets, flutes, saxophones, trumpets, guitars, bass guitars and keyboards. Many other instruments are played in the Beginner and Performance Bands.

• All students in the school learn music and participate in the Musica Viva Program. This year they have enjoyed participating in musical activities with groups "The Chambermaids" and "Sirocco".

• The Merimbula Public School Choir is made up of students from Years 3 to 6. They have performed in a range of settings and enjoy sharing their tunes at infants and whole school assemblies.

• The school has an exceptional Recorder Ensemble. This year the ensemble performed at the Opera House as part of the Department Of Education's "Festival Of Instrumental Music". They have also performed at school and at the 2010 Sapphire Coast Learning Community's Performing Arts Festival at Eden Marine High School.

• All students learn dance at Merimbula Public School. The school also has a Years 3 to 6 Dance Group. This year 20 students were selected to represent the school in dance. They performed a contemporary piece to the hit musical song "Fame". Talented Stage 2 and 3 artists contributed to their performance by designing and creating fantastic backdrops.

• Students from Years 3 to 6 participate in the Multicultural Speaking Festival to improve their public speaking skills. MPS students have performed well in this competition over the past 4 years, with some students being selected to represent our area at regional carnivals. This initiative has also supported our students when participating in the Premier's Spelling Bee. This year one of our students will be traveling to Sydney to attend the State Final with 9 other students.

• Students from Year 3 have the opportunity to participate in school musicals. In 2009 Stage 2 presented "Circus Splendida", in 2008 Stage 2 presented "The Fish Philosophy Musical" and in 2007 Stage 3 presented "The Pirates Of Merimbula Lake". This year all Performing Arts groups will be sharing their talents at a Performing Arts Showcase. The showcase will be held in Term 4. Stage 2 students will be presenting a musical in 2011.
• Each year a Talent Quest is held at school. Students showcase their talents in individual and group performances during the Term 4 program.
  

• Teaching staff and executive are members of the Sapphire Coast Learning Community's Performing Arts Committee and in 2009 and 2010 they developed initiatives in performing arts. This enabled annual SCLC Performing Arts Festivals to be held in the region. MPS students performed together with 13 local primary and 2 high schools during Term 3 performances at Eden Marine HS last year and this year. 7 talented students from our Orchestra were chosen to participate in the Combined School's Festival Band.