Noctiluca believes that music can be a catalyst for inspiration when integrated with students’ learning in other areas: languages, maths, visual arts, etc.

We work in selected schools and communities in Sydney, Western Sydney, and the Greater Sydney region to deliver short workshops, performances, and curriculum-aligned activities. The below examples are tailored for a children’s educational context, but we also offer versions of these workshops in adult community settings.

Musical Haikus

Noctiluca artists introduce students to haiku structure and syllabic verse- writing. Students build word banks of descriptive words responding to music (low/high, loud/soft, happy/sad), then use these words to craft a haiku line- by-line in response to musical examples. Each haiku is unified by a single idea chosen by the student (for example, an animal or place), and students are also encouraged to create an accompanying illustration of the haiku.

Rhythm Method

Noctiluca musicians explore pulse in music, using examples from classical ballet, modern jazz, world music, and modern dance. Depending on age, class size, and level of expertise, students are encouraged to move, count, and clap along, or even come up with their own dance moves. The workshop culminates in students’ creating their own “groove grid” that the musicians play and improvise along to, with students clapping or moving along to as well.

Instruments from scratch!

Noctiluca musicians introduce students to the different families of instruments: strings (plucked), winds (blown), percussion (hit) and lead an instrument building workshop using recycled materials (rubber bands, push pins, plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls). Students perform a short piece together with their instruments in the end.

Radio Lab

Noctiluca musicians work one-on-one with advanced high school students currently taking a creative writing course or working on personal essays, with the goal of creating a short podcast. Musicians will help adapt the writing to a spoken, radio format, contributing music where appropriate and working with the students on recording techniques, sound design, and editing.

Musical Storytelling

Noctiluca musicians read aloud a short illustrated book with the class, then work back through a specific section adding in music and sound effects. Students are encouraged to experiment with their own sounds (whispering, clicking, animal noises), as well as working creatively with musicians to compose sounds using their instruments. In the end, the students and musicians perform the section together, taking turn reading lines and creating sounds.