Music News

Instrumental Music:

In only my second year at the College I am overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and interest our music students have displayed this term. With only a handful of lessons our beginners are making great progress. Our existing students are attempting more challenging music and technical work. Attendance has been excellent where students are turning up to lessons organised with their instrument and music ready to learn. It’s also great to see our young musicians coming in at recess and lunchtimes to rehearse and make music together. A1 has become a hub for those that want to come along and play or just sit in and support their peers. Our enrolments are growing. It’s going to be a great year.

Year 8 Classroom Music:

Our classroom music program involves students attending 3 sessions a week for the whole semester. The practical component involves students playing guitar, keyboard, drums, bass guitar and voice. Our classes are already playing lots of pop songs. This term students have been introduced to different musical genres. They have submitted a Hip Hop Research Task and poster on an Australian hip hop artist. They have completed up to nine units of grade one theory, composed their own melodies using notes in the C major scale. They have also written their own basic rhythms using correct note values and rests. Beatboxing has been a popular topic and at present, our students are creating their own loops/backing tracks using Groove Pizza and Audacity software. This has been a real hit where students have produced some amazing and interesting tracks importing them into the Audacity program where they will add their own original rap in the coming weeks. 

Practice

Beginner players should practise between 15-20 minutes a day. This involves commitment. You will see quick results as we all know practise makes perfect. A reminder that all students will need to purchase a music stand. There are music stores in Sale that will have a wide range of stands to choose from.

Music Levy/Purchase/Hire Fee (Now due)

To be involved in the instrumental music program in 2022 a tuition fee of $250 per student for the full year or $125 per semester is due by week 5, term 1 (and term 3 if paying semester by week 5). If your child is purchasing a new instrument from the College a fee of $100 per semester applies. A $50 per semester fee applies for all second hand instruments. Instrument fees will appear on your accounts. We ask that the first instalment is paid prior to students taking the instrument home. Please note payment plans are available if needed, contact the office on 5147 1790 to discuss this option. Parents are also reminded to return the “Agreement Of Participation” form to the front office. All details regarding the program are outlined in the application/agreement of participation form. If you have any questions please contact Gerry Ciavarella on 0409142240.

Concert:

Our first concert will take place in Term 2 on Monday 16th May. Please put this date in your calendars as we are expecting all music students to perform on the night. The evening will feature our ensembles, small groups and solo items. More details next term.

On behalf of all instrumental music staff Kimberley Gardiner, Ryan Lestrange and Donna Stemberger, enjoy the rest of the term.

Gerry Ciavarella

Instrumental Music Coordinator.