Music Notes

The new Performing Arts Centre

We are about to start building the new Performing Arts Centre and whilst this will create some disruption in the short term, the end result will be amazing.

Music classes and instrumental lessons will continue as normal during this time, however, we will be located in the Drama and Green room area.

Students learning classroom music will still have access to the same resources and larger ensembles such as the choir and concert band will still be able to rehearsal in these spaces. 

More information will be available in our next newsletter.

Music lessons

Did you know that it is still possible to learn a musical instrument this year?

Lessons are available on a range of instruments and they are timetabled during school hours so that your student doesn’t miss the same part of lesson each week.

These lessons (and hire of an instrument) are free for students in Year 7 and 8 (provided that they join the school concert band) and for students in Years 9-12 they can cost as little as $10 a lesson!

Lessons on Piano and Guitar are also available at a cost of $20 per lesson.

Please note: Year 7 students who will be completing Year 7 music next semester will receive a concert band instrument as a part of the subject.

If you would like more information, please see the enrolment form on Knowledge Banks or email ahoulihan@monivae.vic.edu.au

New Instrumental Staff

Recently we have welcomed two new Instrumental teachers in the Music Department.

Ms. Tracey Ballard is teaching clarinet and saxophone and Mr. Chris Cole is teaching Trombone and Euphonium.

Both staff members are experienced musicians and teachers and are able to teach to VCE level.

Caulfield Grammar Incursion

On Thursday last week we were fortunate to host a visit from Caulfield Grammar Intermediate and Senior Jazz Bands for what has become an annual event for our College.

Each year, Caulfield Grammar attend the Generations in Jazz festival in Mt Gambier and visit our school as part of this experience.

This year they performed a concert for Year 7 and VCE music students and delivered a workshop for the Year 7 students who are enrolled in Year 7 music this semester.

This event enabled our students to see and hear a range of different styles of Jazz as well as see some advanced musicians demonstrate complex solos and ensembles skills.

The workshop focused on developing fundamental instrument skills and it was led by the staff and senior students from Caulfield Grammar.

This culminated in a concert band rehearsal with around 60 musicians where the students rehearsed “Hot Cross Buns” as full band, rather than in class or instrument groups as is normally the case.

The result was a huge sound that enabled the students to hear what a full concert band sounds like.

Our students had lots of fun and we would like to thank the staff and students from Caulfield Grammar for providing an amazing concert and for their encouragement and support of our students.

Mrs. Alisa Houlihan

Head of Performing Arts/ Head of Music