Music

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Music Forms and Events can be found on Redlands Pulse

Junior and Senior Campus Upcoming Events

Welcome Back

At the start of our final term for the year the Music Department is thrilled to be hearing the sounds of music echoing down the corridors, as students come together and build their repertoire in sectionals and Music Ensembles once again. We can’t express how much joy and delight this makes us feel, and it has been so wonderful to see the smiles and happiness within rehearsals from both our students and staff. As Plato once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Music teachers and conductors look forward to sharing music created by the students with you in various forms across the remaining weeks of the school year. We are certainly very proud of all Redlands musicians who have continued to rise to the many challenges of this year, demonstrating positivity, determination and dedication, and we know that their music will provide nourishment to our souls as part the final events for 2020.

For this, we would like to welcome Mrs Amy Richardson as the Acting Assistant Coordinator of Music in an important leadership role across Term 4. Overseeing the Junior Campus Music program, Mrs Richardson will also teach curriculum classes across the Preparatory and Junior Schools. due to the departure of Mrs Hilary Luck at the end of last term to take up a new position of Head of Junior Music at Abbotsleigh. 

For Secondary Music classes, the department is excited to be welcoming to our team Mrs Helen Worthington, a highly experienced music specialist who has worked in our Department as a casual teacher over many years. In supporting students in the Higher School Certificate, exceptional music educator Mr Mathew Owen will be managing the Music 1 course, assisted and mentored by Mr Darren Kuilenburg.

Across the holiday period, the department has considered very detailed planning for Term 4, particularly during this time when we determine how we manage certain planned activities and events within our Music calendar. We return to the majority of ensembles in both sectional and ensemble contexts, all delivered in safe learning environments. The planning of our modified format for rehearsals has considered, first and foremost, the safety of all musicians who are currently enrolled in the Music program and the staff who are responsible for leading rehearsals each week. This planning has been guided by the advice of the Australian Government, NSW Health and School leadership, along with recommendations that have emerged through online discussions with leading conductors and Music education affiliates at local, national and international levels.

Hygiene in the Music Setting and Student Expectations

As part of our return to group settings, this continues to be a well-considered aspect of our planning and students involved in group instruction will follow the guidelines through the spreading out of rehearsals, utilising larger areas and rehearsal spaces to promote distancing, where possible. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of musical equipment and resources will be undertaken daily.

In rehearsals, all students are expected to adhere to the recommendations pertaining to social distancing expectations. In consideration of these guidelines, all students are required to:

• Bring their own instrument (if applicable) to school for use in rehearsals
• Be organised with their own scores and repertoire as issued by Music Administration

Music Groups and Ensembles Recording Project

For End of Year events, the Music Department has consolidated a range of creative projects to deliver a very different performance for 2020. Various Music groups and ensembles will be involved in recording projects across Weeks 5 and 6 working in conjunction with Redlands Sound Engineer Mr Pete Atkins and Videographer Mr James Taggart, from Tagged Pictures. Specific details relating to recording schedules will be communicated to the students over the coming week.

Redlands EP Project

Earlier this year, the Music Department announced the second instalment of the Redlands Music Composition competition, in recognising the creative talents of students who compose their own music. This artistic opportunity was designed for aspiring young creatives in Yrs 7-12 who are enrolled in either the Academic Music program, Cocurricular Music Ensembles program or Extra Subjects program. As guest collaborator for the 2020 EP Project, we are pleased to announce that our mentor will be Redlands and Sydney Conservatorium Graduate (Composition) Mr Solomon Frank (Redlander 2013).

The Music Department is pleased to announce that the following student compositions have been selected to feature on the 2020 Redlands EP.

Redlands Instrumental Competition Adjudicator

The 2020 Redlands Instrumental Competition will be adjudicated by Mr James Kortum, lecturer in flute at the Sydney Conservatorium. Originally from the United States, James studied flute with Donald Peck, Principal Flute Emeritus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and former Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra flutist, Philip Sieburg. At the completion of his studies, James was offered the position of Principal Flute with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and has subsequently been Principal Flute with the Opera Australia Orchestra and Second Flute with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has also been guest flutist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra, Hunter Sinfonia and Pacific Opera Orchestra. Prior to his current position, James was lecturer in Flute at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. In 2005 James received the Master of Arts (Music) degree from the University of Newcastle for his text The Purposeful Flautist: Technique to Interpretation. James has also taught flute at the Australian Institute of Music, Melbourne University and Monash University. Active as a clinician throughout Australia, James also appeared as guest artist at flute conventions and festivals held in Sydney, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Canberra, Christchurch and Hamilton, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the United States, England and Russia. He is also Co-Director of The Complete Flute with flutists Andrew Macleod, Principal Piccolo of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Mardi McSullea, former Head of Woodwind at Melbourne University, annually offering courses for performers and teachers in Macedon, Victoria.

Redlands Vocal Competition

Last term, the Redlands Vocal Competition was held in the Edwards Auditorium, featuring Yrs 7-12 finalists who presented a diverse range of vocal repertoire in creating an outstanding evening of musical performances. The skills of students in all divisions was exceptional and is a credit to the singing ability of each finalist and the guidance provided by their vocal tutors. Particular thanks to Mr Diego Idarraga and Mr Damon Wade for their exceptional accompaniment of the finalists and in supporting the students throughout rehearsals leading into the competition. Thank you to the Music Department for support of this annual competition, with auditions managed by Ms Arienne Brodie and Mr Darren Kuilenburg. We would like to thank our special guests Mr Matthew Bentley, Ms Sarah McGarry and Mr Stephen Webber who awarded the place-getters with medallions and trophies.

The Music Department would like to acknowledge the developing singing of all students who auditioned for the Vocal Competition and special thanks to the finalists who all performed brilliantly at the event.

Vocal Competition Winners

Junior and Senior Campus (Upcoming Events)

Photo caption: Recording Project 1 – School Song recorded for Platinum Girls’ Luncheon

Mr Darren Kuilenburg
Coordinator of Music
seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9820