Creative arts is mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts where they learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform.
Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.
Extra-Curricular activities at Ben Venue
Students in Years 3-6 also have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. Ben Venue has a number of dance groups and the opportunity to participate in 'Cirque de Ben Venue' by being part of either the Junior or Senior Circus Skills Group. In these performance groups students performed at the Arts in Concert Festival and other Armidale community performances.
Special excursions
Students in Years 5 and 6 are offered opportunities to participate in concerts at the Opera House and other festivals in Sydney and the local area. In the Opera House recitals, students have been involved in choir, marimba and multi-arts performance groups.
Students in choirs and other groups are invited to perform at community events and Ben Venue is committed to entertaining and supporting senior citizens and community groups. In 2011 student groups will also visit preschools and early childhood settings to promote school initiatives and talents.
Instrumental music
The Relief from Face to Face (R.F.F.) The program offers all students the opportunity to participate in lessons run by a specialist music teacher. Students learn to play the marimbas, recorders and various tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments. Class groups are encouraged to perform at the local eisteddfod and for many years Ben Venue has been acknowledged for its outstanding performances across a variety of sections. Each year a special performance Marimba Group is chosen and this group highlights the talent and commitment shown to the Marimba Program at Ben Venue.
In addition to the regular class programs presenting singing, moving, playing, listening and creating experiences, opportunities are provided for extension activities in instrumental music for students with special interest and talent in this area. Ben Venue offers opportunities for students to be in the orchestra, string and instrumental groups as well as senior and junior choir activities.
Visiting tutors are available to teach students to play a range of instruments (e.g. string, brass, wind). Parents are responsible for organising this instruction. A fee is charged by the tutors and lessons need to be organised during break times or around Literacy and Mathematics session times. Tutors register lesson times with the Deputy Principal to ensure lesson alignment and room availability.