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Compulsory Music Curriculum

Kindergarten to Year 2
All Infants children learn a child-centred developmental music program based on the philosophies of Kodaly, a philosophy that reflects the way children learn naturally.

The program involves singing, movements, rhythmic and melodic dictation, creative work and ‘hand signs’. The program develops children’s aural, listening and playing skills as they learn to play music on a variety of instruments.

Years 3 and 4
Every student progresses to a full instrumental program in Years 3 and 4.

All Year 3 students learn an orchestral string instrument, whether violin, viola, cello or double bass. Students are initially placed in small tutorial groups according to their musical experience and are later graded and placed in a group of children with similar ability, catering to each group’s individual needs.

Year 4 students can choose to continue with their string instrument or learn an instrument from the Concert Band: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass guitar or percussion.

Years 5 and 6
All Years 5 and 6 students use contemporary digital technology to learn the concepts and skills to arrange and compose music. Singing, tuned and untuned percussion, movement and students own instruments are used to create and perform in groups and individually, reflecting topics studied in class.

Music beyond the classroom

Students can enjoy private Music tuition during the school day and perform in a variety of ensembles.

• The Infants and Junior Choir develops young voices.

• The Junior String Ensemble develops technique and ensemble skills and includes an Extension Strings Ensemble for Year 3 students.

• The Junior Concert Band for woodwind, brass and percussion players also develops technique and ensemble skills and includes a Band Extension Ensemble for Year 4 students.

• The Junior Percussion Ensemble for tuned or untuned percussion instruments teaches the fundamentals of music through rhythm, movements, improvisation, beat and timbre.

• The Junior Guitar Ensemble brings together those learning guitar to develop reading and ensemble skills.

Music Curriculum

Music is compulsory in Years 7 and 8, and an elective in Years 9 and 10.

HSC courses include Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension. In the senior years students increasingly manage their own learning and develop problem solving skills through working collaboratively as performers, composers and audiences.

Enjoy these ENCORE nominated HSC performance videos of Georgia’s Jazz Vocals or James' Contemporary Guitar Piece

Music beyond the classroom

Students can enjoy private music tuition during the school day and perform in a variety of ensembles:

• The Symphony Orchestra performs advanced orchestral repertoire at many functions, concerts and competitions throughout the year.

• The Stage Band performs jazz, rock and popular repertoire and extends players of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, drums, guitar and bass guitar.

• The Senior String Ensemble explores the wide range of repertoire for strings and allows students of less experience to perform with more advanced players.

• The Senior Choir is open to all senior students and performs a variety of repertoire and styles.

• The Senior Vocal Ensemble extends auditioned members of the Senior Choir to perform advanced choral repertoire.

• The Man Choir is open to all senior boys, their fathers and male staff and performs a variety of repertoire and styles.

• The Senior Concert Band for woodwind, brass and percussion players covers a broad range of styles and develops technique and ensemble skills.

• The Intermediate Guitar Ensemble brings together students learning guitar to perform music suited to their abilities and develop reading and ensemble skills.

• The Contemporary Music Ensemble allows senior students the opportunity to write, perform and record their own contemporary music compositions.