Music News

Dr Andrew Butt

We are pleased to extend a warm welcome to all Marist College Ashgrove families, to what promises to be another exciting and productive year for the Music Department. Albeit slightly delayed, the return to the 2022 School Year will involve many exciting events, in a diverse range of genres and in a variety of concert formats. More details of these concerts and events will be included in a forthcoming edition of the College Newsletter. Please continue to stay up to date with the happenings of the Music Department via this fortnightly newsletter entry. All other communication relating to students directly involved with Instrumental Lessons, Classroom Music and Co-curricular Ensembles will be communicated via the College App and email where necessary. 

Music Camp

For the first time in over a decade, the annual Marist Music Camp which commences the musical year for our premier ensembles, was postponed due to the delayed return to school. We have been very grateful to have the support of the College Leadership Team and venue, Alexandra Park Conference Centre, to successfully reschedule this celebrated event. Marist Music Camp will now occur over the weekend of Friday 11 March - Sunday 13 March (Week 7) including a weekend of rehearsals, workshops and recreational activities for our leading ensembles in preparation for this term’s performances. Thanks to all families involved, for their communication through the various RSVP procedures required to transfer these dates. 

Co-curricular Ensembles and Rehearsal Information

We are pleased to confirm that alongside the recommencement of Instrumental Lessons in Week 3, Co-curricular Ensemble rehearsals for 2022 will also begin. Please refer to the following Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule for rehearsal days and times. Ensemble allocations for all students will be sent out via email before the end of this week. Please refer to the health guidelines, summarised from Queensland Education and Health advice below regarding ensemble rehearsals. 

 

Term 1 Concerts

Due to the delayed return to school and rescheduling of Music Camp, the following Music Concerts in the College Calendar will be postponed. Further information regarding their rescheduled dates will be communicated as soon as possible.

  • Premier Ensembles Concert
  • Autumn Concert

Instrumental Lessons

A reminder that all Instrumental and Voice Lessons will recommence in person when school returns on Monday 7 February, Week 3. Weekly timetables and notices are sent out via the College App and email each Friday (for the following week). Further information (especially for new students) will be included in this Friday’s notices. A reminder that Instrumental Enrolments roll over at the end of each year (including from Years 6 to 7). Please refer to the health guidelines, summarised from Queensland Education and Health advice below regarding instrumental lessons. 

Other News

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Rachel Andrews, who has concluded her time at Marist College Ashgrove, after being our Flute Teacher for the past seven years. We wish Ms Andrews all the best in her future teaching career, thanking her sincerely for her contributions to Marist Music over the years. 

Health Guidelines 

Please note the following health guidelines relating to the return of Instrumental Lessons and Co-curricular Music Ensembles:

  • Students must wash and sanitise their hands immediately before attending their music lesson or ensemble rehearsal (hand sanitising stations will be provided at each rehearsal venue and teaching room)
  • Students must wear a mask upon arrival to their lesson or rehearsal, while moving around, setting up their instrument and until seated. Once seated (or stationary), students can remove their mask if required to play their instrument 
  • Students are asked to maintain their instrument hygiene and cleanliness as much as possible
  • Students are not to share instruments and/or instrument accessories.

Marist Vocal Ensembles

At Marist College Ashgrove, all students have the opportunity to participate in our diverse offerings of the Co-curricular Music Program. Beyond our Instrumental program, the College has two non-auditioned Vocal Ensembles where all students can further involve themselves in College culture, through a fun and supportive choral singing environment. Participation in a Co-curricular Ensembles involves the weekly commitment of a morning rehearsal, as well as providing multiple performance opportunities for students throughout the year. Please email music@marash.qld.edu.au to sign your son up to join one of the below Vocal Ensembles (Please include Year Level and Full Name). 

  • Marist Voices - Open to all students in Years 5-6 
  • Performance Choir - Open to all students in Years 7-12