Extra-Curricular at MAG

Extra and Co-Curricular Music at MAG – Welcome to 2026

We are delighted to welcome families to another exciting year of music at Moama Anglican Grammar. Our Extra and Co-Curricular Music programs continue to flourish, providing students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with rich opportunities to learn, collaborate, and perform.

Program Growth and Engagement

The scale and strength of music at MAG continue to grow.

With every five days of schooling at MAG (as of Term 1, 2026), we facilitate an impressive 250 individual extra-curricular music lessons from Kindergarten to Year 12. In addition to this, there are 17 extra-curricular school rock bands, involving over 125 students, bringing the total number of extra-curricular music enrolments to 375.

When combined with increasing participation in co-curricular ensembles, this results in a grand total of 439 individual student engagements in extra- and co-curricular music learning across an average week at MAG. This outstanding level of involvement reflects both the enthusiasm of our students and the strong value placed on music education within the school community.

Celebrating the School Holidays D2 Drumline Workshop

During the recent school holidays, a number of our Drumline students participated in the D2 Drumline Workshop, and we are incredibly proud of the way they represented Moama Anglican Grammar.

This workshop was led by Campbell Phillips, Harry Potocnik, and Jordan Kiely — all highly experienced professional drummers and educators from D2 Drumline. Students had the opportunity to work closely with these industry professionals, developing their technical skills, ensemble awareness, and performance focus.

The visiting tutors commented on the students’ exceptional behaviour, attentiveness, and maturity, noting how impressed they were by the values and respect demonstrated throughout the workshop. Our students represented the school with pride and professionalism at all times.

We extend our sincere thanks to Mr Kevin Kiely for his organisation and leadership in creating such an outstanding learning opportunity for our Drumline students. Experiences like this are invaluable in supporting both musical growth and personal development.

Well done to all students involved.

Welcome Back – Ms Fiona Gibbs

We are delighted to welcome Ms Fiona Gibbs back to the Music Department in 2026. Fiona will be teaching Year 4 and Year 5 classroom music and will also be fronting the 2026 MAG Production Team.

We are especially excited to share the announcement of this year’s production: Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins Jr ☂️✨

This much-loved production promises to be a joyful, high-energy experience for students, combining music, movement, storytelling, and teamwork. Under Fiona’s leadership, the production team is already preparing for an exciting year of rehearsals, creativity, and performance. Further details regarding auditions and involvement will be shared soon, and we look forward to seeing students take to the stage in this magical production.

Co-Curricular Choirs – Jr Singers and Snr Singers

Singing is central to all music education. It supports aural development, musical literacy, ensemble skills, and confidence, while fostering connection and enjoyment through shared music-making.

JR SINGERS

Open to students in Years 3–6, Jr Singers is led by Ms Fiona Gibbs and welcomes all students who enjoy singing, regardless of prior experience. Rehearsals will take place on Friday mornings, and commencement will be announced at the next Primary assembly. As usual, students will work towards a range of school and external performance opportunities throughout the year.

SNR SINGERS

Open to Years 7–12, Snr Singers is led by Ms Chandra Hale and provides Secondary students with a supportive and engaging vocal ensemble experience. All students with a love of singing are strongly encouraged to attend rehearsals, which are held on Monday lunchtimes. 

Participation in both choirs does not incur a cost; however, regular attendance and commitment are essential to support ensemble development.

Primary Instrumental Programs

MAG is pleased to continue a number of foundational Primary instrumental programs that operate concurrently with general classroom music lessons.

• Year 4 Strings Program – continuing under the direction of Ms Erin Heycox, providing all Year 4 students with introductory violin learning as part of classroom music.
• Year 5 Drumline Program – led by Mr Kevin Kiely, focusing on rhythmic literacy, ensemble skills, and performance confidence.
• Year 6 Brass/Woodwind Program – also led by Mr Kevin Kiely, introducing students to brass and woodwind instruments and preparing them for future ensemble pathways.

Welcoming a New Tutor – Charlie Bedford

We are excited to welcome Charlie Bedford to the MAG music team in 2026. Charlie will be working across Extra-Curricular Rock Bands, as well as supporting students studying guitar and songwriting.

Charlie Bedford is an accomplished Australian musician and educator with extensive experience as a performer, songwriter, and mentor. He began performing at a young age and now regularly tours the Australian pub, club, and festival scene.

Charlie has also performed internationally in the USA, including Memphis, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals, and has worked alongside musicians connected to legendary artists such as BB King, Ray Charles, and Wilson Pickett. His original music has received national and international recognition through charting releases in Australia, the USA, and the UK.

Alongside his performance career, Charlie is passionate about supporting young musicians. He has facilitated mentoring workshops for emerging artists, including with the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s Youth in Blues Program, and previously worked as a teacher’s aide at Karoo Primary School, supporting music learning across a range of instruments and abilities. Charlie brings a positive, encouraging approach to teaching and is excited to work with MAG students in Rock Bands, guitar, and songwriting.

2026 Co-Curricular Ensembles

Students may participate in a wide range of ensembles depending on interest and experience:

Note that many ensembles involve an invite or a try-out to ensure a standard is maintained. 

Outstanding Success at the National Dance Competition

Over the school holidays, two of our talented students, Libby Johns and Lila Mislicki, achieved outstanding success at the National Championships in dance and vocal performance.

Libby impressed across all sections of the National Dance Competition. She placed 4th in her Hip Hop solo and won 1st place in the Hip Hop Trio with an excellent score of 93.5. Libby also performed in several troupes that were crowned National Champions, earning 1st place in the Jazz Small Troupe, Musical Theatre Large Group, Open Troupe (which also won the Overall Nationals Title), Senior Hip Hop Group and Junior Hip Hop Group. Her commitment and versatility were evident in every routine.

Lila also had an exceptional national campaign, competing in multiple vocal categories with tremendous results. She placed 1st in Musical Theatre with a score of 92.5, 2nd in both Ballad and Pop, 1st in Disney with a score of 90, and was crowned National Champion. She also placed 3rd in the Musical Theatre Trio and 2nd in the Musical Theatre Duo. Lila’s success reflects her hard work, healthy preparation, and dedication to applying coaching and feedback throughout the year.

We congratulate both Libby and Lila on their remarkable achievements. Their talent, discipline, and passion for performing arts continue to make our school incredibly proud.

An invitation to join our Primary Co-curricular Choir – Jr Singers:

The foundation for all music education is based, first and foremost, on singing and the voice.

Not only is singing in a group beneficial for all musicians, but it is also a core and fundamental element in society. It improves aural skills, musical literacy, and confidence in performance – and, of course, can be extremely fun!

JR SINGERS

Jr Singers is for students from Years 3–6, and we encourage students who enjoy singing and music to join.

Jr Singers will have many performance opportunities throughout the year, and will prepare performances for assemblies, concerts, and special school and community events.

Weekly Jr Singers rehearsals for 2026 will commence on Friday, 20 February (Week 4) before school from 8.15–8.45am in JS4, led by Mrs Fiona Gibbs.

Extra-Curricular Instrumental Tuition – Now Open for 2026 

MAG offers a comprehensive Extra-Curricular Instrumental Music Program supported by specialist tutors across percussion, brass, woodwind, strings, guitar, and contemporary music pathways. Students may also access Rock Bands, Drumline, and ensemble programs as their skills develop.

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to commence instrumental lessons. Places are limited, and some instruments may have waiting lists. Students already enrolled in the 2025 program do not need to reapply. 

If you have any questions regarding Extra or Co-Curricular Music at MAG, please contact Mr Mike Hearn, Head of Student Experience – Extra-Curricular Music Program (K–12) at mhearn@moamagrammar.nsw.edu.au

We look forward to another inspiring and music-filled year at MAG in 2026. 

Kind regards, 

Michael Hearn

Head of Student Experience | Extra-Curricular Music Programs (K–12)