Music and Performing Arts Faculty

From the Co-ordinator of Music and Performing Arts

Music News

On Monday night, our Stage 5 and Stage 6 Elective Music students went to the Opera House to watch Encore. ENCORE is a program featuring outstanding performances and compositions by students from schools across NSW, presented for the 2023 Higher School Certificate Music examinations. This performance is part of the annual HSC Showcase Season, which celebrates student achievement by showcasing the creativity and innovation of HSC students.

The students found the experience immensely valuable for their own musical studies, feeling inspired and enthusiastic about the year ahead. One Year 11 attendee commented, "Witnessing the exceptional talent showcased at Encore has ignited a renewed sense of passion and dedication within us. While we acknowledge the hard work ahead, seeing the remarkable results achieved by our peers has shown us that our own musical aspirations are indeed within reach. Analysing and discussing the diverse musical pieces performed during our lessons has provided invaluable insights, guiding us in refining our compositions and performances. It was also really interesting to hear the wide range of study the performers are progressing with post the HSC. This demonstrates that the skills developed in Music as a subject can enhance so many different avenues of future endeavour – whether in the Science and Mathematics fields or the Humanities". This firsthand exposure to exemplary musical performances has fuelled the students' motivation and deepened their appreciation for the craft, reinforcing their commitment to their musical journey.

Continuing with what is happening in Music from K to 12. This week we are letting you in on what we are doing in the Senior School.

What’s happening in the Stage 4 Mandatory and Stage 5 Elective Music classes in the Senior School for Term 1? 

Stage 4 Mandatory Music:

Year 7 Music: Students will delve into foundational musical concepts, including rhythm, melody, harmony, and dynamics. Through practical exercises and Noteflight software, students will compose and arrange music digitally. They will learn to read rhythmic patterns, understand time signatures and barlines, and explore pitch and melodic contour. Practical skills in treble stave notation, vocal and instrumental registers, and simple bass accompaniments will be honed. Expressive techniques such as dynamics will enrich their performances. Summative and Formative assessment will include listening quizzes, performance and composition. Throughout, students will engage in creative activities, reflection, and feedback, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of music.

Year 8 Music: Students will be introduced to guitar and keyboard fundamentals. They will learn chords, fretboard navigation, and perform individually and in small groups, exploring tone colour and duration. Strumming patterns, chord alternations, and time signatures will be covered, along with riffs and major-minor tonality differences. Students will also begin keyboard basics, creating chord shapes and playing chord progressions and melodies. Summative assessment preparation leads to an own choice performance in Week 8. From Week 9, students will explore melodic construction, chord progressions, as well as deepening their aural awareness and understanding, supported by formative listening tasks. Through practical learning and assessments, students will develop musical skills and appreciation.

Stage 5 Elective Music:

Year 9 Music: Students will explore the fascinating realm of Film Music, focusing on its application in various media forms like Radio, Film, Television, and Multimedia. They will analyse how music heightens emotional responses and enriches narratives within films, understanding its subtle yet powerful role in communication. By analysing composers’ strategies and applying the six concepts of music, students will identify techniques to evoke specific responses in their own compositions. Through hands-on experience with music notation software like Sibelius, they will craft compositions, supported by effective planning techniques in a digital portfolio. This exploration deepens appreciation for film music's artistry while refining students' creative abilities for multimedia composition. Summative and formative assessment will include, a Performance, and a Composition that showcases their understanding of the topic, Radio, Film, Television and Multimedia.

Year 10 Music: Students will explore Music for Small Ensembles, focusing on Australian compositions as a compulsory topic. They will delve into the concept of texture in music, analysing instrumental roles within ensembles and the impact of compositional techniques like motivic development, pedal notes, and layering of instruments. Additionally, students will investigate how the use of polyrhythmic and polymetric material affects composition texture. They will research and examine dynamics and expressive techniques, including extended techniques on various instruments, to understand their influence on programmatic effects and texture. The summative assessment will be an original composition for a Small Ensemble, demonstrating the students' understanding of the unit's studies.

Curriculum Questions

Please contact me if you have questions about curriculum or how we can support your child’s journey at Pittwater House through music.

Performing Arts News

All Performing Arts Ensembles are making excellent progress this year with our Dance, Drama, and Music groups in full swing. Throughout the year, these ensembles have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents in public, benefiting both our students and our School community.

This term, our Senior Concert Band have two performances. The first they will be performing alongside two local community bands and a primary school on Thursday 4 April, in our Great Hall and the second is on ANZAC Day at the Brookvale Bus Depot. 

The first performance is with Warringah Concert Brass, an A Grade concert band with over 45 years of experience, as well as their Youth Brass Band, offering an excellent enrichment opportunity for brass and percussion players. Cromer PS will also be performing in the concert, providing them with a valuable opportunity to witness the performances of both the Pittwater House Senior Band and the Warringah Concert Brass ensembles.

If you are interested in attending, please come along, both events are free admission, and it would be great to see the wider community in attendance supporting the Pittwater House students.

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.

Registration for 2024 Ensemble Membership

The ensembles’ structure has had some minor changes in 2024 to allow for greater inclusion and engagement throughout the entire school.  We welcome current ensemble members and new members to join our 2024 Instrumental and Dance ensembles. Access the ensemble registration through the TPHS app. Parent Lounge >> Extra Curricular >> Select Your Childs Name >> Choose the Activity “Sign-Up” >> Submit to School

Private Music Tuition 

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