Senior School Performing Arts
Jacqueline Shields, Head of Performing Arts
WELCOME TO OUR NEW VISITING TUTORS
The Performing Arts Department is pleased to welcome our new visiting tutors:
Stephanie Li – cello
Stephanie is an accomplished cellist and teacher whose passion for music has led her all over the world. In 2010, Stephanie achieved a Distinction for her Associate of Music from the Australian Music Examinations Board and a year later was awarded her Licentiate of Music. She graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a Bachelor of Music Honours degree, and in 2019 she graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with a Master of Music.
Stephanie’s teaching philosophy centres around her belief that everyone is capable of learning music, and she fosters an individualised approach to learning with each student. Prior to her return to Australia, Stephanie taught at various schools in the Bay Area through the San Francisco Symphony Education Program and was also on the cello faculty at the San Francisco Community Music Centre and Amabile School of Music. She is now on the cello faculty at the Orange Regional Conservatorium.
Luke Moxey – piano
Luke started learning piano at the age of five under the tutelage of Anne Stevens. After finishing his school studies at Kinross Wolaroi School, he undertook a Bachelor of Music Performance at the University of Queensland, studying under Liam Viney and Anna Grinberg. During this time Luke won numerous awards, including the Donald Tugby Piano Prize, the Margaret Nickson Prize for Vocal Accompaniment, the Margaret Henderson Scholarship Prize and a University of Queensland Medal for Excellence. He has performed in the Central West on several occasions, including Liszt’s Piano Concerto no. 1 with Macquarie Philharmonic Orchestra as the winner of the 2019 Camplin Prize. Over the last five years Luke taught piano at Sydney Grammar School and worked regularly as an accompanist.
Todd Brownlow – drum kit
Todd Brownlow has been performing drums for 16 years. He has been a part of local bands in Lithgow and beyond. Todd has a Bachelor Degree in Education and worked as a teacher in the Blue Mountains region for many years, before transitioning into teaching music. He completed a Diploma of Music at Central Queensland University and has an energy and passion for making learning enjoyable.
Todd also is an accomplished bass player and teaches bass guitar.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Congratulations to Annabelle and Toby, who have worked hard over a long period of time to achieve their goals. We are so proud of you!
Anabelle van Wyk: Saxophone
Congratulations to Anabelle van Wyk who was recently awarded first place in the 13 – 15 years Intermediate Woodwind category of the International Golden Classical Music Awards. In July, Anabelle will travel to New York to play her grade 7 saxophone award winning work Concertina da Camera in Carnegie Hall. Anabelle’s award is testament to many years of hard work and persistence. Congratulations Anabelle!
“From heaps and heaps of hours of practice, and tears when I couldn’t get the piece right when I was younger, to this now…it’s just really, really special.”
Toby Gough: Speech and Drama
Never one to be idle, Toby sat both the IMEB Associate Teacher Diploma and IMEB Diploma of Theatre Performance exams over the holiday break. Toby received A+ Hon 97/100 for both Diplomas – an absolutely fabulous result! The IMEB Teacher Diploma will enable Toby to teach Speech and Drama in the future. Well done!
Musical Auditions
We are excited to announce the Musical for 2022 is Guys & Dolls!
Information about this production as well as signup sheets can be found on the notice board in the Music Centre as well as on the Hub pages for each year group.
Audition Dates and Info:
- Friday 11th February 2022 Auditions
- 3:30pm- 5:00pm (Ensemble)
- 5:00pm – 7pm (Leads)
Note: Once students have completed their audition they may go.
- Callbacks – TBA (as required)
Audition Requirements: (What to prepare for)
- Ensemble: will sing the following song in small groups
- Leads: should prepare a portion of a Broadway song of their choosing that best demonstrates their range and provides a sense of character. Song can be performed acappella, to a backing track or piano accompaniment. (personal device will need to link to a speaker which will be provided)
- Leads please take and fill out an audition form and bring it with you to the first audition
- All students (leads & ensemble) should learn the choreography to the dance posted the hub
- Any interested year 12 Students should see/email Miss Dunkley for an application form to be filled out and returned on the day of your audition
- Please wear comfy clothing/activewear & appropriate footwear (eg: joggers/dance shoes)
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS:
- Students must be available for musical camps week: 11th – 15th July (3rd week of the school holidays (between T2 & T3)). These rehearsals are compulsory.
- Students wishing to be considered for the musical must be able to commit Friday rehearsals (unless leave is granted).
- There will also be a number of Sunday rehearsals – details about these dates will be released after auditions.
Should you have any questions about the musical or the auditions please email Ms Dunkley: adunkley@kws.nsw.edu.au
DR MICHAEL GRIFFIN
Music students had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Dr Michael Griffin this week. Dr Griffin challenged us to look at practice and musical potential in different ways and entertained us with his excellent piano playing. His talk provided an excellent understanding of the metacognition for musicians and encouraged us all to approach practice in more productive ways.
CO-CURRICULAR ENSEMBLES RETURN
We are very excited to announce that co-curricular music ensembles commenced from Week 2 (Monday 7 February 2022). There are a few exceptions to this – Choirs will commence in Week 3 whilst Senior School String Quartet and Chamber Strings will commence in Week 5.
Playing in a music ensemble has many benefits for children, including developing social skills, building confidence and learning how to be a team player. Learning music helps cognitive development, improves recall and retention of verbal information, and advances Mathematics and English skills.
View the Term 1 Performing Arts Co-curricular Timetable by clicking this link:
COVID-19 RISK MITIGATION
A number of measures will be in place to mitigate risk of Covid-19 transmission during rehearsals. These include:
- Holding rehearsals in well ventilated locations where possible
- Use of air purifiers in rehearsal spaces
- Choral, string and percussion students will wear masks for inside rehearsals
- Choral rehearsals conducted outside without masks, where possible
- Surveillance RAHT tests for students and staff
- Social distancing required of all participants in rehearsals
- Students who are unwell will not be permitted to attend rehearsals
- Students will be expected to wash/sanitize their hands before rehearsal commences
KEY DATES FOR TERM 1
Scholarship Day (Music scholarship auditions): Friday 11 February 1-4pm
Camerata Competition: Friday 18 March
Term 1 Music Camp: Friday 25 March 9am – Sunday 27 March 5pm
PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL TUITION
The School engages 26 highly qualified visiting tutors who offer a wide variety of instrumental and vocal lessons. Private tuition is available for the following:
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophones, Bassoon
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba
Percussion: Drum Kit
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar (Contemporary & Classical), Bass Guitar
Voice: Contemporary & Classical
Piano
Speech & Drama
ALL new and returning students must complete a 2022 Enrolment Form for private tuition.
Lessons cannot commence until forms have been returned to the Performing Arts Administrator. Instrumental tutors will contact families with a lesson time once forms have been returned. The enrolment form can be accessed here.
Should you have any queries regarding co-curricular music ensembles or instrumental tuition please do not hesitate to contact the Music Administrator, Mrs Sharon Martin at performingarts@kws.nsw.edu.au, Mrs Jacqueline Shields, Head of Performing Arts at jshields@kws.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Katie Sinclair, Junior School Music Coordinator at ksinclair@kws.nsw.edu.au