Senior School 

Performing Arts

Instrumental Music Co-ordinator 

We are excited to welcome Miss Katherine Howarth to the Performing Arts Staff at KWS. 

Katherine has both a Bachelor of Performance (Clarinet) with First-Class Honours, and a Masters in Musicology from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.  For the past two years she has been employed by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as a clarinet teacher, through their Open Academy.  In addition, Katherine has been employed by the Conservatorium in the areas of concert organisation and stage management.  Katherine has held the position of Principal Clarinet with the Sydney Youth Orchestra for a number of years and is passionate about creating opportunities for our students to enhance their skills in performance. 

Katherine will oversee the KWS Instrumental Program as well as assist with organisation of the Co-Curricular Ensemble Program.  Katherine has limited vacancies for students wishing to study Clarinet, Bass Clarinet or Saxophone.  Should you wish your child to commence lessons with Katherine, please fill in the 2021 Enrolment Form for Private Tuition (link below) and send to the Music Administrator, Sharon Martin at performingarts@kws.nsw.edu.au 

Introducing Our New Instrumental Staff  

Emma Knott (Flute) 

Emma studied at the QLD Conservatorium under Margaret Crawford and Gerhard Mallon. On returning to Sydney she completed a Masters in Performance under Geoffrey Collins. 

Emma attended overseas classes with William Bennet and James Galway and has recorded two solo CD’s with renowned Australian pianist David Miller AM: Bridge of Dreams and Flute Odyssey.  She is a recording artist with Wirripang Publications. 

Emma lectured in Flute and Chamber Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for ten years and was a conductor for the Sydney Youth Orchestra. 

Emma is a senior woodwind examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board. 

Isabelle Clarke-Randazzo (‘Cello) 

Isabelle has been an enthusiastic music student since the age of four, when she commenced studying both Piano and ‘Cello. Isabelle has had a long relationship with the Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music where she first studied, prior to becoming a member of the string staff.  Isabelle has benefitted from many opportunities through the Regional Conservatorium network including masterclasses with the Australian String Quartet, SSO Cellist Fenella Gill and Australian pianist Aura Goh.  As a student musician, she has played cello in concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Macquarie Philharmonic Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra.  

Mitchell Davis (Drum Kit) 

Mitchell teaches percussion at Orange Regional Conservatorium of Music. Mitch tailors his teaching to each student and will tutor students from kindergarten to Year 12.  His teaching method for percussion is to teach core areas and then to encourage the student to which direction they want to take, whether that be a particular style, specific genre, technique, improvisation or ensemble. 

Co Curricular Ensemble Program 

All co-curricular music ensembles will commence in Week 3 (Monday 7 February 2021).  We will be adhering to COVID safe practices in all rehearsals.  These will be outlined prior to both parents and students prior to rehearsals recommencing next week. The timetable of ensemble rehearsals is below. 

Private Instrumental & Vocal Lessons 

KWS engages 27 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, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar (electric & acoustic) Bass Guitar 

Voice: Contemporary & Classical 

Piano 

Speech & Drama 

ALL new and returning students must complete a 2021 Enrolment Form for private tuition. Lessons cannot commence until forms have been returned to the Performing Arts Administrator. Instrumental tutors will contact families with a lesson time once forms have been returned.  The enrolment form can be accessed here.  Once completed, please send to the Music Administrator, Sharon Martin, at performingarts@kws.nsw.edu.au 

Save The Date – Term One 

Scholarship Day (Music scholarship auditions) – Monday 15 February, Room 68 

Camerata Competition (Junior and Senior divisions) – Friday 12 March, Room 68 

Annual Music Camp - Friday 19 March 9am to Sunday 21 March 5pm 

Year 7 & 8 Open Mic Night – Thursday 25 March 

Further information about these events will be included in the next newsletter. 

Orange Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition 

Applications are open for the annual Orange Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition.  Further information can be accessed at the Orange Regional Conservatorium and here:https://orangecon.org.au/2021/02/orange-youth-orchestra-2021-concerto-competition/