Music and Performing Arts Faculty

From the Co-ordinator of Music and Performing Arts

Music News

In Term 3, Stage 6 Music students are in the final stages of preparing their HSC Performance Program, Core Compositions, and elective submitted works. This period is crucial as students refine their performances and compositions, ensuring that their submissions meet the high standards required for the HSC. The final works will showcase their skills and creativity, reflecting the depth of their engagement with the music curriculum. All submitted works are due on Monday 9 September, marking a significant milestone in their preparation for the HSC. We wish all students every success with their final preparations and performances, confident that their hard work and dedication will shine through in their submissions.

What’s happening in the Stage 6 Elective Music classes in the Senior School for Term 3? 

Stage 6 Music 

Year 11 Music 2: In Term 3, students will explore music of the Romantic period, a sub-section of the mandatory topic Music 1600-1900. This context-based unit offers opportunities for an integrated approach to performing, composing, and listening. Emphasis will be placed on the exploration of musical concepts, starting with the Symphony and examining how thematic and melodic motifs are incorporated into musical works. Pieces by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Schumann, and Chopin will be studied. Students' understanding of this unit will be assessed through a performance presentation and a listening exam.

Year 12 Music 1: In Term 3, students will develop their understanding of music concepts through composition, performance, listening, and musicology tasks. They will be guided to conduct in-depth analyses of these concepts. By focusing on their chosen topic, students will explore the potential and capabilities of their own instrument, as well as others, in relation to this topic. This approach will also foster a greater awareness in preparing performance pieces, while expanding their general knowledge and recognition of instruments across a wide range of musical styles.

Year 12 Music 2: In Term 3, students will revise the knowledge and scores they have encountered during the past two units. The topics under review include Music of the Last 25 Years (Australian Focus) (mandatory) and a student-selected additional topic. Students will present their own works for performance and analysis during this unit. This will help them gain a deeper understanding of their compositions and provide an additional option for answering the extended response question in their written examination.

Year 12 Music Extension: Throughout this term the Music Extension students are continuing to embark on a journey of musical exploration and development tailored to their individual strengths. Performance Majors are refining their ensemble and solo performances, honing their skills and musical expression. Composition Majors are continuing to develop either two contrasting compositions or musical movements, furthering their exploration of composition techniques and styles. Musicology Majors are refining their analytical prowess, delving deeper into the complexities of musical works through comprehensive research. With a shared passion for music, these students are continuing to engage in rigorous study, artistic expression, and scholarly inquiry throughout the term, fostering growth and creativity in their musical endeavours.

Curriculum Questions

If you have questions about curriculum or how we can support your child’s journey at Pittwater House through music, please feel free to contact Mr David Cosentino at: David.Cosentino@tphs.nsw.edu.au 

Performing Arts News

From the Co-ordinator of Performing Arts

Term 3 is almost halfway, and our Performing Arts students have been working hard and showcasing their talents throughout NSW.

HICES Music Festival

As always, the HICES Music Festival was a spectacular event, and our Pittwater House students truly shone. It was wonderful to see students and staff from HICES schools across NSW come together to create great music.

The experiences our students had were instrumental in developing both their personal skills and enhancing the music program here at Pittwater House.

At the 5-8 HICES Music Festival, we were proud to have Eddison N (Year 5) and Max L (Year 6) from our Junior School represent us in the Concert Band. They performed brilliantly and added tremendous value to the ensemble. From our Senior School, students from Years 7 and 8 participated across several ensembles: Vaughn (Year 7) in the Concert Band, Holly (Year 8), Oscar (Year 7), Martha (Year 8), Seren (Year 7), Grace (Year 7), Frieda (Year 8), and Fergus (Year 8) in Symphonic Winds, and Lucia (Year 8), Laura (Year 8), and Jasmine (Year 8) in the String Orchestra.

Running in parallel, the Jazz Academy (Years 9 to 12) was an elite program featuring 36 students from 31 HICES schools. In this highly selective program, we were fortunate to have three students from Pittwater House: Adele (Year 11) and Lottie (Year 10) in the Armstrong Ensemble, and Tahlia (Year 11) in the Basie Ensemble.

Both camps took place from Sunday, 11th August, to Wednesday, 14th August, culminating in fantastic concerts: the 5-8 HICES Music Festival at the Sydney Town Hall and the Jazz Academy at Foundry 616.

In addition to our students, we were well-represented by staff in pivotal roles. At the 5-8 HICES Music Festival, Miss Finlay (Tutor for Male Vocal), Mr Abraham (Piano Accompanist for Male Vocal), and Mrs Colless (Manager for the Vocal Ensemble) all played key roles. At the Jazz Academy, Mr Cosentino led the Basie Ensemble.

Furthermore, Holly (Year 8) and Mr Abraham were selected for the 5-8 HICES Music Festival Finale, while Laura  (Year 8) and Adele  (Year 11) were selected as MCs at the Sydney Town Hall concert. Adele also served as an MC for the Jazz Academy concert at Foundry 616.

Pittwater House was represented across almost every ensemble at the festival, showcasing the skill and breadth of both our students and staff. This presence was noticed by many of the Staff and Heads from other schools at the Town Hall and Foundry events.

Please join me in congratulating our students and staff for their hard work and dedication!

Pittwater House Dance Companies!

Congratulations to our Pittwater House Dance companies who competed in their first competition over the weekend (DanceSpec).

The Junior Company performed beautifully in the Years 3 to 6 Lyrical Dance section, earning a well-deserved Highly Commended. Our Years 7 to 9 Intermediate Dance Company (Lyrical) troupe also gave a stunning performance in their category, securing 2nd place in a highly competitive section.

Our Years 7 to 9 Intermediate Dance Company (Jazz) and Years 10 to 11 Senior Dance Company (Contemporary) also performed exceptionally well, showcasing great skill, character, and refinement. While they didn’t place this time, their performances made us incredibly proud.

Each section was highly competitive, and all of our students displayed tremendous talent, dedication, and grace.

Performing Arts Ensemble Canvas Page

The Performing Arts Ensembles have a dedicated Canvas Page where communications regarding rehearsals and performances are posted. It is important that students/families have access to this page to keep up to date.  Invitations have been sent multiple times to families.  If you do not have access to this canvas page, please let your ensemble manager know at the next rehearsal.

Private Music Tuition 

We have a group of private tutors who are experienced teachers and achieve great results. If you are interested in having Private Music Lessons at Pittwater House during the school day, please email fill in the private tuition form on: 

https://forms.office.com/r/GhQghpAhvs

Enrichment Opportunities 

We are looking for students to perform in our Senior School Assemblies. If your child is interested in performing, please email your child’s interest to: performingarts@tphs.nsw.edu.au