Senior School Performing Arts

Co-curricular Ensembles

Our co-curricular music ensembles will commence from Week 3 (Monday 12 February 2024). 

Playing in a music ensemble has many benefits for children, including developing social skills, building confidence and learning how to be a team player.  Learning music helps cognitive development, improves recall and retention of verbal information, and advances Mathematics and English skills. Aside from this, playing in an ensemble is fun!

The timetable of ensembles is below.

Ensemble Placements

New students who play an instrument but have not yet been placed in an ensemble should contact Mrs Shields at jshields@kws.nsw.edu.au  to organise for a placement try-out time. 

TryBand

TryBand is a program that allows students to learn a concert band instrument, free of charge, in a 6-week program.  Our TryBand program will run from Week 3 until Week 8. All lessons will be conducted in the Music Centre.

Students will be issued with an instrument and will participate in group lessons run by specialist instrumental tutors. Group lessons with tutors will run for 30 minutes, one lunchtime a week, from Weeks 3 through to Week 8.

At the conclusion of the TryBand program, students will have the opportunity to enrol in private instrumental tuition.

TryBand is a wonderful opportunity for Year 7 students who have either not learnt an instrument before or have learnt an instrument in the past but would like the opportunity to try something new. TryBand also allows students to be part of a beginner-level music ensemble, enhancing teamwork, motivation, and positive social interactions.

Please note: This program is not for students currently learning a string or band instrument. Students who already learn a string or band instrument are invited to join one of our many co-curricular music ensembles.

Should you have any queries about TryBand please do not hesitate to contact Mr Yabsley-Bell at byabsley-bell@kws.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Shields at jshields@kws.nsw.edu.au

Private Instrumental & Vocal Tuition

Kinross Wolaroi School engages 25 highly qualified visiting tutors who offer a wide variety of instrumental and vocal lessons. Private tuition is available for the following:

• Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophones, Bassoon
• Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Percussion: Drum Kit
• Strings: Violin, Viola, Double Bass, Guitar (Contemporary & Classical), Bass Guitar
• Voice: Contemporary & Classical

ALL new and returning students must complete a 2024 Enrolment Form for private tuition. Lessons cannot commence until forms have been returned to the Performing Arts Administrator. If you would like to enrol your child in instrumental lessons please use this link.

Please note that it is the parent's responsibility to notify their child’s visiting tutor if they are unable to attend a lesson for any reason (including school related activities).

Should you have any queries regarding co-curricular music ensembles or instrumental tuition please do not hesitate to contact the Music Administrator, Mrs Sharon Martin at performingarts@kws.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Jacqueline Shields, Head of Performing Arts at jshields@kws.nsw.edu.au

Encore Excursion: Years 9 – 12 Music Classes

Students in Years 9 – 12 Music have the opportunity to attend Encore, a concert of exemplary HSC Music 1, Music 2 and Extension Music performances and compositions from the 2023 HSC. 

Staff and students are particularly excited to watch Max Bloomfield from the Kinross Wolaroi School Class of 2023 perform at this concert.

Encore will take place at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 4 March 2024.  We will be travelling to Sydney by bus, departing from Allenby Road at 8am sharp.  Students should be at school by 7.50am.  We will be returning to Allenby Road at approximately 9.30pm.  The cost of this excursion is covered by the excursion levi.

Further information will be sent to families soon.  Should you have any queries regarding this excursion please do not hesitate to contact Sharon Martin, our Music Administrator at performingarts@kws.nsw.edu.au or email me at jshields@kws.nsw.edu.au

Key Dates 2024

Please mark these dates in your diaries:

• On Stage excursion - Years 11-12 - Thursday-Friday 15th-16th February
• Kinross Wolaroi School Country Fair - Saturday March 2nd
• Encore Excursion – Years 9 -12 - Monday 4th March
• Orange Chamber Music Festival - Friday 8th March and Saturday 9th March 
• Camerata Competition - Wednesday 20th March Rm 68
• Music Camp - Friday 22nd March 9am – Sunday 24th March 5pm DPA + music Dept
• Camerata Concert - Friday 5th April 6pm DPA
• Purdue University Tour - Monday 20th May   
• Year 11 Music Performance night - TBA 
• 12 Music 2 & Ext Performance night - TBA
• Junior School Performing Arts Evening - Thursday 30th May 5.30pm DPA 
• Music Festival - Thursday 6th June 6.30pm DPA
• Orange Jazz Festival - Friday 7th June
• Performing Arts Elective Showcase - Thursday 13th June 5.30pm PT
• 12 Music 2 and Ext Performance night - TBA
• Musical Intensive Rehearsals - Monday 15th July – Friday 19th July DPA
• Musical Performance Week - Monday 22nd July -Friday 26th July – Civic Theatre
• HSC Drama Showcase - Friday 23rd August – 6pm PT
• HSC Recital Music 1 - Wednesday 28th August – 6pm PT
• HSC Recital Music 2 - Sunday 8th September -  Orange Con  TBC             
• Strings Concert  (JS & SS) - Friday 13th Sept 5.30pm DPA
• Year 12 Graduation Ceremony - Thursday 27th Sept 5.30pm DPA
• JS Grand-friends Day - Friday 18th October 
• Carols Service - Sunday 1st December –4 pm at Holy Trinity Church
• Junior School Celebration Assembly - Wednesday 4th December DPA
• Speech Day - Thursday 5th December 10am DPA

Please note, these dates were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.