Director of Music

Tuning up for a big term and Choomalaka

As we begin a new term, it has been wonderful to welcome our students and staff back to the Music Department, refreshed, rested, and ready for another exciting term. 

We are pleased to introduce the new Andante Practice app for iPads, which will be used by all students in Grades 5 and 6. Families are asked to download the app before rehearsals begin next week to ensure students are ready to get started. As rehearsals resume, please remember that students should bring their instruments and Music each Monday, ready to participate fully. We also remind families that the Junior School Choir will continue rehearsing on Tuesday mornings before school. 

This term promises to be a busy and rewarding one as preparations gather pace for our annual Arts Festival, Choomalaka, with many exciting performances and events on the horizon. We are also delighted to welcome a new Music tutor to the department, whose expertise will provide students with even more opportunities to develop their musical skills and enjoy making Music together.

Grade 5 and Grade 6 Bands

Students in the Grade 5 and Grade 6 Bands will have the opportunity to record their practice at home on the Andante Music Practice App. This app should be ready to download onto iPads now. If students can have this app downloaded before rehearsals resume next Monday that would be great. In this app, students can write the amount of time that they practice. Students will have the opportunity to build a practice streak and the best part about the app is that paper practice sheets no longer need to be filled in. 

The bands will be working towards the Combined Bands Workshop Day with St Mary’s College on August 31. We have already started to rehearse the Music for this day. The details of the concert will be distributed as they become available.

Tasmanian Rock Challenge - Southern Heat

The Tasmanian Rock Challenge Southern Heats will be happening on 9 and 10 September this year. This is an annual competition for high school and college students, with finalists selected to complete at a final round on 18 September in Launceston. To perform at these events, students need to present at least one completely original song. Participants can compete either in the Acoustic or Bands section. The St Virgil’s College Band, Gurm,  was awarded 3rd place in the Final in 2025 and it would be fantastic to have more than one entry in 2026. Please see Ms Ball if you are interested in this opportunity.

New Senior Choir and Voice Teacher

I am pleased to let you all know that David Thomson has been appointed as a member of the Music Tutor Team. David will be taking the Senior School Vocal Ensemble and private voice lessons across the College. David has extensive experience in teaching voice with a focus on healthy vocal technique as well as teaching performance skills in group settings. If you would like your son to take lessons with David, please email Jamie Pregnell (jpregnell@stvirgils.tas.edu.au) who will be able to schedule lessons. 

Changes to Billing for Private Instrument Lessons

A reminder that from this term, there is a change to the way instrumental lesson payments are managed at St Virgil’s College. Lesson fees will no longer be processed through the school and will instead be paid to your student’s tutor. This means that you will receive an invoice directly from your student’s tutor for lesson fees.

The following terms and conditions will apply to private lessons from Term 3:

• Instrumental lessons are an arrangement between the tutor and the student’s family with regard to billing and timetabling.

   

• Tuition fees are $42 per half hour (30 minutes) lesson.

   

• Music tuition fees will be invoiced directly by the tutor for the forthcoming term. Any adjustments (e.g. extra lessons or credits) will be made on the following term’s invoice. Payment should be made directly to the tutor.

   

• Accounts are due to be paid within 14 days from the date of invoice. Failure to pay the account in a timely manner will result in suspension or cancellation of lessons.

   

• 24 hours’ notice is required of a student’s non-attendance for any reason (including school events/activities), otherwise the regular lesson fee will be charged. Exceptions can be made in extenuating circumstances (sudden onset of illness, emergencies, etc.). Please notify your student’s Music tutor directly, or email Ms Ball (gball@stvirgils.tas.edu.au) or Mr Pregnell (jpregnell@stivirgils.tas.edu.au) if your student will be unable to attend a Music lesson.