Term 1 Secondary Music
Term 1 Middle and Senior School (Years 7-12) Music
Senior String Ensemble (Camerata)
This senior string chamber ensemble is for experienced players of violin, viola, cello and double bass in Years 9 to 12. The focus will be on performing challenging chamber repertoire, either as a larger chamber ensemble or in smaller groups.
More advanced string players, and players of wind and percussion instruments, will be invited to join this ensemble as required by the chosen repertoire.
Occasionally the Senior Camerata may prepare material to perform in conjunction with students across the School. This will depend on repertoire and concert requirements.
WHEN: Wednesday mornings 7:30-8:25am
WHERE: Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G101
STAFF: Christine Akerman and James Anderson
Middle School Chamber Strings
This string chamber ensemble is for players of violin, viola, cello and double bass in Years 7 & 8. The focus of the ensemble will be on performing in both chamber groups and as a whole ensemble, depending on performance requirements and the chosen repertoire. It is also likely that there will be occasions for this ensemble to prepare repertoire to perform with the Senior String Ensemble.
Players of wind and percussion instruments will be invited to join this ensemble as required by the chosen repertoire.
WHO: All Year 7 and 8 String Players
WHEN: Tuesday mornings 7:30-8:25am
WHERE: The Farrall Centre Auditorium
STAFF: Christine Akerman and James Anderson
Senior Wind Ensemble
The Senior Wind Ensemble is available to players of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass and orchestral percussion. The ensemble consists of students in Years 7 to 12 with at least 2 years’ experience on their instrument.
WHEN: Tuesday mornings 7:30-8:25am
WHERE: Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Hilary Morgan, Jack Machin and Tracey Patten
Intermediate Band
Intermediate Band is a group to cater for students with 6 months to 2 years experience on their respective instrument. The focus of this group will be to develop students’ ensemble skills through a variety of repertoire. This band is available to players of: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass and orchestral percussion. All students from Years 7 – 8 students are welcome.
WHO: Year 7 and 8 Wind, Brass or Percussion Players who have already had some experience (ideally 2 years) on their chosen instrument.
WHEN: Tuesday afternoons 3:40-4:40pm
WHERE: The Farrall Centre
STAFF: Hilary Morgan, Tracey Patten and Suzi Gillespie
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band is available to players of: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, keyboard, drum kit, auxiliary percussion and occasionally voice.
It is anticipated that in Jazz Band one player on each part will be required as a minimum. Repertoire will vary from traditional swing charts through to Latin and rock.
WHEN: Thursday afternoons 3:45-4:45pm
WHERE: Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Hilary Morgan and Jed Adams
Senior Vocal Ensemble
This ensemble is open to students in Years 9 to 12 for all vocal ranges. The choir explores choral repertoire from a variety of styles including traditional, contemporary, world music and show choir repertoire, performing in various concerts within the school and the wider community.
WHEN: Tuesday afternoons 3:45-4:45pm
WHERE: Sheila Given Music Centre
STAFF: Estelle Levy, Brett Budgeon and Michael Power
Middle School Choir
This ensemble is available to all students in Years 7 and 8. The choir explores repertoire from a variety of styles including traditional, contemporary, world music and show choir repertoire, performing in various concerts both within the school and the wider community.
WHO: Interested year 7 and 8 students. No experience necessary
WHEN: Thursday mornings 7:45am - 8:25am
WHERE: The Farrall Centre Green Room
STAFF: Estelle Levy and Iestyn Parry
Marimba Ensembles
Marimba ensembles are very popular at The Friends’ School, so much so that there is an ensemble for every year group from Years 3 to 12. An informal approach is taken to learning repertoire; there is less of a reliance on conventional music notation, and greater use of practices such as playing by ear and improvising. For these reasons the ensembles cater for a variety of levels of musical skill and experience. In fact, no previous musical experience is necessary.
Year 7 Marimba
WHO: Interested year 7 students. No experience necessary.
WHEN: Wednesday mornings 7:30-8:15am
WHERE: The Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Hilary Morgan and Konrad Park
Year 8 Marimba
WHO: Interested 8 students. No experience necessary.
WHEN: Monday mornings 7:30-8:15am
WHERE: The Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Hilary Morgan and Konrad Park
Year 9 Marimba
WHEN: Thursday mornings 7:30-8:15am
WHERE: The Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Hilary Morgan and Konrad Park
Year 10-12 Marimba
WHEN: Friday mornings 7:30-8:15am
WHERE: The Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Konrad Park and Paul Kershna
Years 7-12 Guitar Ensemble
This ensemble is open to all students with existing skills on guitar from Years 7-12. There will be the opportunity to improvise and play music in a range of contemporary styles, whilst also looking at basic technique.
WHO: Interested Years 7-12 Guitar Players
WHEN: Friday afternoons 3:45-4:30pm
WHERE: Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G110
STAFF: Devon Robson and Matt Apted
Music Theory Group/Classes
Students wishing to further their music theory skills and knowledge are welcome to join the theory group. The group will cover a range of theory topics and the work will relate directly to various AMEB theory grades.
WHO: Years 7-12 students with an interest in music theory
WHEN: Wednesday afternoons 3:40-4:40pm
WHERE: The Farrall Centre
STAFF: Kathy Fazackerley
Combo Group
The Combo Group will function as a junior/intermediate version of the Jazz Band in 2026. It is open to students in Years 7-12 in 2026 and for all instruments. Combo Group repertoire will vary from traditional swing charts through to Latin, rock, and film music
WHO: Years 7-12 students with an interest in contemporary music
WHEN: Friday afternoons 3:45-4:45pm
WHERE: The Farrall Centre Auditorium
STAFF: Jed Adams and Paul Kershna
Middle School Rock School
The Middle School Rock School is designed for students looking to learn the basics of contemporary music. Students will rehearse and perform in small rock bands. This ensemble is ideal for students who play drum kit, guitar, bass, and for vocalists. Groups will build toward involvement and performances in events such as the Battle of the Bands.
WHO: Years 7-8 students with an interest in contemporary music
WHEN: Wednesday afternoons 3:40-4:40pm
WHERE: The Farrall Centre Green Room
STAFF: Jed Adams and Michael Power
Senior Percussion Ensemble
The Senior Percussion Ensemble is preferably for students with experience playing tuned and untuned percussion instruments. The repertoire is diverse and explores pieces that use traditional hand percussion instruments, drum line style snare drums and orchestral mallet instruments such as the marimba, vibraphone and the timpani.
WHO: Years 9-12 students with experience playing percussion
WHEN: Monday mornings 7:30-8:20am
WHERE: The Sheila Given Music Centre Rm G101
STAFF: Tracey Patten