Music

Let us take a moment to reflect, look back and review what has been achieved this year. Although our plans and goals at the start of this year had a completely different trajectory, there have been many important aspects across the scope of our learning journey altogether that need to be acknowledged, celebrated and shared with our Music community.

Earlier in the year, we quoted Richard Branson, who has said, “…that every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change…”, a statement that is certainly applicable to our experiences across 2020.

In reflecting on the positive outcomes contained within this year, the Music Department would like to recognise the commitment of all Music students, who have continued to demonstrate such resilience during these changing times. In Music classrooms, private tuition studios and ensemble rehearsal spaces, each individual across the school, has adapted to new learning experiences and has shown incredible determination.

While our usual interaction with the Music community was unlike any other year, we would also like to acknowledge our parents for their ongoing support and encouragement. While we were unable to greet you in person at our Music calendar events, we hope that the live streaming of various concerts and showcases allowed you to connect with us at Redlands and together celebrate in the students’ musical achievements. For links to these performances please visit Redlands Pulse.

As a department we have ventured through a myriad of technology supported learning environments, modified our delivery of lessons and incorporated a range of innovative and creative approaches to support student learning. We would like to recognise all the extra efforts and dedication of our Music teachers, tutors and support staff who have worked above and beyond to support these transformations. In supporting our students’ learning journey and our staff, we would also like to acknowledge the Redlands ICT Department for collaboratively working with the department, to prepare, facilitate and support virtual learning environments for all our learners.

End of Year Presentations

While this will take a very different form for Redlands musicians this year, the team has been working tirelessly to prepare a diverse range of video performances that capture the musical achievements of students across the Preparatory, Junior and Secondary Schools. Ranging from Music learning experiences in the classroom to Music Ensemble video and audio recordings out of Dunnet Hall and Redlands Hall, it is our hope and wishes as a department that these music performances will give you much delight as part of our contributions to End of Year Presentations.

Staffing Announcements 2021

Head of Junior Campus Music (P-6)

In leading our Junior Campus Music team into 2021 already throughout this past term, the department is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs Amy Richardson to the role of Head of Junior Campus Music (P-6). Amy is an outstanding Music educator and is passionate about inspiring a love of music-making for her students. Having taught across Stages 1-6, designed and developed innovative curriculum, and directed choirs and bands, Amy will be an exceptional leader of our highly skilled team of specialists to facilitate music-learning programs for Early Childhood, Preparatory and Junior Schools. In 2018, Amy completed the Harvard Project Zero Visible Thinking course and later was honoured to feature as a ‘Picture of Practice’ in the Mark Church and Ron Ritchhart publication The Power of Making Thinking Visible, aligning with her research interests in Self-Determination Theory, that focuses on student engagement and intrinsic motivation. By way of other professional learning, Amy is working towards full accreditation in both Orff and Kodály Music pedagogies and works voluntarily as a Committee member of Kodály NSW.

Music Teacher (7-12) and Head of Bands (3-12)

With Amy stepping into a new role on the Junior Campus, the department is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr Joseph Montz as Secondary Music teacher (7-12) and Heads of Bands (3-12). Joseph is an exceptional Music educator and brings a wealth of experience having recently spent the last 16 years working at St Augustine’s College as the Performing Arts Coordinator and Music teacher. During his time at St Augustine’s, Joseph directed and managed a board range of musical ensembles and has successfully managed the School’s Music and Drama programs. As a second generation Redlander, Joseph is very familiar with and passionate about Redlands and is looking forward to returning as a classroom Music teacher and leader of the various Bands programs across the School.

It is with regret to inform the Music community of the resignations of Ms Emma Cooperthwaite (Vocal Specialist) and Mr Cameron Harker (Ensemble Conductor). Both Emma and Cameron have contributed immensely to our Performing Arts and Music programs and have played key roles in developing and growing Choral, Concert Band and Jazz learning experiences for our students. We thank them for their significant contributions to the School and we wish them well in their new endeavours.

Music Department Launch Event 2020

Jazz In The Garden – Saturday 13 March (6.00pm)

We are pleased to announce that the Music Department launch event will be held next year on Saturday 13 March at 6.00pm. In working in association with the Friends of Music, the Department will host performances from ensembles in the Jazz program, in bringing together musicians from both the Junior and Senior Campuses. Please place the Music Department launch event into your diaries. We are certainly looking forward to an exciting ‘outdoor music experience’.

Examination Results

Congratulations to the many students who have undertaken external examinations this year as they have pursued the learning of an instrument or explored their singing voices. The results listed below are students who achieved outstanding results with the various listed Music examination bodies.

Australian Music Administration Board (AMEB)

Jiayi (Ina) Guan – Theory of Music Grade 2 – Honours
Alexandra To – Musicianship Grade 2 – Honours
Charlotte Humphreys – Musicianship Grade 3 – Honours
Charlotte Humphreys – Clarinet Video Repertoire Grade 3 – A Honours
Derek Hu – Clarinet Video Repertoire Grade 3 – A+ Honours
Francesca Richardson – Clarinet Video Repertoire Grade 3 – A Honours
Tara Ward – Piano Video Repertoire Grade 1 – A Honours
Callum Wardman-Browne – Piano for Leisure Video Grade 7 – A+ Honours
Hadley Wintle – Saxophone Video Grade 7 – A+ Honours
Zheng You (Yolanda) Bai – Piano Video Repertoire Grade 1- A Honours
Rabiah Singh – Piano Leisure Video Grade 1 – A Honours
Jessica Jiayi Lee – Saxophone Video Grade 2 – A Honours
Amelie Heard – Online Musicianship Grade 3 – High Distinction

St Cecelia’s School of Music

Otis Gait – Violoncello Grade 2 – A+ Higher Distinction
Yucheng (Wilson) Wang – Violoncello Grade 2 – A+ Higher Distinction

Junior and Senior Campuses Rock Performances

Rock in the Garden was held in the forecourt outside the John Roberts Centre across recess and lunches today. We would like to congratulate all students who performed in various Rock Bands and Guitar Ensembles who performed for their peers. Special thanks to Mr Mathew Owen, Ms Katherine Moses and Music tutors, Mr Peter Atkins, Mr Diego Idarraga, Mr Nathaniel Smith and Mr David Wooltorton for all their efforts in facilitating both the Junior and Secondary events this past fortnight.

Friends of Music AGM

The Music Department would like to thank all parents and staff who attended the Friends of Music Annual General Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday. The meeting commenced with an exceptional performance by percussionist and educator Ms Sandy Sin. Her award-winning performance career has seen her acclaimed for her work in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Korea. Not just a skilled performer, Sandy is an inspiring teacher and we at Redlands are fortunate to have her amongst our talented Music team. In performing a spectacular solo work for Marimba, Sandy was accompanied by Academic Music teacher, Mr Mathew Owen.

As an important component of this meeting, annual reports were presented by the committee’s President and Treasurer, with a focal point concentrating on the collaborative efforts of volunteers who have continued to support the development of music databases for Music Ensemble scores remotely across the course of this year.

The Music Department would like to thank all volunteers who have contributed to this 5 year project, and we are pleased to announce that the finalised Optimo Management System will be released in January 2021.

Congratulations are extended to the 2021 Friends of Music Office Bearers:

President – Mrs Emma McLaren
Vice President – Mrs Nadia Naylor
Treasurer – Mrs Kristina Green
Secretary – Mrs Anne Allen

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