Music News

As we hurtle into week 5, wondering what exactly happened to the previous 4 weeks, I’m pleased to say that the instrumental music program at Horsham College is now full steam ahead.

If you’re in the instrumental music program you will have been contacted via Seqta DM by your instrumental music teacher (Mr. Shirrefs, Miss Arnett or Mr. Kirne) to let you know what day of the week your lesson is and what period. 

This year we have had some constraints to navigate and as a result, some junior music students will have half period lessons. We three music staff are allotted a certain number of periods a week in which to teach instrumental music and some groups are so big we are having to split them in half and give half period lessons. If you are one of the students with a half period lesson it is imperative that you arrive at your lesson on time because 25 minutes goes VERY fast. 

If there are students who still wish to enrol in the program but haven’t, please make a point of picking up an enrolment booklet from A1, the Admin area or see Miss Arnett. Carefully read all the information in the booklet and return the form on the back page to the admin office. 

We’re excited with the take up of new students into the program and look forward to helping them further develop their love of music. Starting a new instrument from scratch is no easy feat and learning to read music requires the same processes as learning another language. Another difficulty encountered by students on wind instruments in particular is the fact that these instruments are all made the same size. There’s no child size trumpet, trombone or saxophone. You simply grow into it. 

So parents, please be encouraging of your child who has chosen to take on this challenging endeavour. Having been there myself, the first few months can be a bit taxing for you as audience members. Regardless of what instrument your child has chosen, learning how to make pleasant sounds on it takes practice, diligence and patience. A few tips I strongly encourage for parents are:

• Involve yourself in their practice. Ask them what they are learning and see if they can explain to you the processes we are teaching them.
• Everyone has a smartphone these days, and retrospection is a powerful motivator. Video your child blasting notes, strumming questionable chords or slowly trying to coordinate a rock beat. As they progress, continue to film little bits here and there. At the end of each month, for example, look back on where they’ve been and where they are now. Most importantly, celebrate the wins!
• Establish a practice routine. Everyone loves a routine, and it helps to maintain focus. Be it 20 minutes before they leave for school, or when they get home, before dinner, after dinner. Somewhere in there. The best day to ensure practice is done (and 5 days a week minimum should be the standard) is on the same day as their lesson to reinforce what has been covered that day. And yes, we can tell when they have practiced, and it is joyous feeling. 
• Keep the instrument visible. If your child can see it, they are MUCH more likely to play it. If it comes home in its case and then gets stored under the bed it’s out of sight, out of mind until next week, and that’s a problem.  
• Lastly, and most importantly, be encouraging. That can be difficult sometimes, believe me. When you just want to sit and be for a few minutes and you’ve got ‘Hot Cross Buns’ blasting through a wall, it can test you. Hang in there. Follow the tips and tricks I’ve mentioned and I promise you it will get better. Again, celebrate the wins! 

Excitingly, we are getting closer and closer to the final big move to our new permanent home in the technology wing. While there is no specific date yet, please be aware that there will be a brief but chaotic period of upheaval. It may mean that instrumental lessons on a particular day are missed as we coordinate the move. There’s A LOT of equipment to move and it will require a bit of time to get it from point A to point B. If a lesson or two is missed that day, we apologise in advance, but the end result will be worth it. 

“Music is the strongest form of magic.” ― Marilyn Manson