Music

I’ve been reflecting on my own musical journey and all the times (perhaps unnoticed at the time) that my parents and even grandparents were actually in the background of those memories – cheering, helping and supporting myself and my friends in so many musical adventures.

As a parent myself, I also have cherished memories of times when I have been able to draw alongside my own children’s music and to ‘give what was in my hand’ (though small at times) – and to be able to feel like I was adding value in some way to their music as well.

This is our heart for the Friends of Music in 2022. We want to create opportunities for parents to connect and draw alongside their children’s music journeys. Being a Friend of Music is an invitation and not an obligation – a chance to connect in, more than a list of jobs to do.

You may have half an hour per month, or you may love online shopping for costumes on the couch at night. You may love the quiet rhythms of data entry, sorting instruments or just an excuse for coffee with friends while pulling some creative exploit together to add some sparkle to a Music Festival. Whatever your skillset, and whatever you have in your hand – it is more than enough and we welcome you to use it to support our P-12 Music happenings.

Carys Wardman-Browne carys.stuart@bigpond.com is at the helm of our ‘Friends’ for 2022, and she would be happy to hear from you if you are keen to join us! We encourage you to add your name to our ‘Friends of Music – Expression of Interest’ form (below), and we’ll see where the adventure takes us!

TONIGHT! Friends of Music Gathering! (7pm)

Parents and Community Members are invited to join us this evening (Thursday) for our ‘Friends of Music’ launch meeting for 2022 via Zoom at 7pm. We’ll be aiming to keep it short and sweet. The Friends of Music have been an incredible support to the Music department over the years, but our mantra for 2022 is give what’s in your hand’. There are no round pegs and square holes to fill – just you, and whatever big or small thing you would like to add in support of our young musicians.

This is such a great way to get to know others in our community and to be close to the action as your child’s musical journey unfolds. A wonderful year is ahead!

CLICK THIS LINK to join the Friends of Music on Zoom Tonight at 7pm

CLICK THIS LINK TO EXPLORE THE FRIENDS OF MUSIC

All P-12 Ensembles in full swing!

It is a season for singing and playing in groups once more. The image above features Junior Choir kicking off last Friday under the direction of our wonderful new choral specialist Mrs Nicole Roberts. The turnout was fantastic and it is so heartening that the disruption of the past two years hasn’t dampened the joy that our Redlanders find in making music together.

Reminder re: Year 2 Strings and Year 4/5 MIP

We are fortunate at Redlands to have weekly programmed ensemble experiences as part of our P-5 curriculum. An important part of learning an instrument is making sure we are looking after it and playing it regularly at home. Students are reminded to take their Year 2 Strings or MIP instrument home each week to consolidate their learning. Instruments should not be left at school all week.

Current Auditions

Auditions remain open until next Friday 4 March 2022 for:

Junior Piano Competition (See Pulse or Junior Music Office)
Senior Piano Competition (See iLearn)
Battle of the Bands Rock Band Category (Facilitated by Band Tutors)
Battle of the Bands Unplugged & Solo/Duo Category (See iLearn)

Junior School – Red Factor

Our annual talent show Red Factor is a highlight on the Junior School calendar! If your child(ren) in Year 3-6 would like to audition either as a solo act or a group, audition forms can be found on Pulse and on Music Google Classrooms. We encourage students to collaborate with their friends and we look forward to auditions being held in Week 6. Audition forms are due to the Junior Music Office or via email by 2 March (Week 5).

Jazz In The Garden – Saturday 19 March 2022 at 6pm

Save the date! Should restrictions at the time allow, our hope is that this might be a BYO family picnic event! Students enrolled in the Jazz Program will be taking to the stage in the Fahl Garden. (Edwards Auditorium is our wet-weather backup!).

Stand by for confirmation closer to the date! Rehearsals for this event will take place between 2.00pm-6.00pm throughout the afternoon prior to the event. More information to come!

Battle of the Bands – Monday 4 April 2022 at 6pm

The theme for this year’s Battle of the Bands is ‘Music from the 90’s’!

The Battle of the Bands supports our emerging contemporary musicians. The competition is open to students in Years 7-12 and features our Junior School Rock Bands as guest performers (in a competition free context), alongside successfully auditioned ‘Unplugged’ solo or duos acts.

BAND DIVISIONS:	UNPLUGGED SOLO/DUO DIVISIONS
Guest Acts – Junior Rock Bands (not judged) Division One – Years 7 & 8 Division Two – Years 9 & 10 Division Three – Years 11 & 12	Division One – Years 7 & 8 Division Two – Years 9 & 10 Division Three – Years 11 & 12

Junior & Senior Piano Competitions – Monday 29 April 2022 from 4-8pm

Please save the date for this special event. Please enquire at the Junior Music Office regarding Junior Piano Competition Auditions, while Senior students are directed to the Music Department Auditions page on iLearn for an online video audition submission for the Senior Piano Competition Audition. As mentioned above – entries close next Friday 4 March.

Music Ensembles Supervision

For ensembles that rehearse before school, please be reminded that there is no supervision for students until 10 minutes any scheduled ensemble. Please ensure that students are not left without appropriate care.

What’s in a name?

A violin by any other name… could belong to anyone!

Junior and Senior students alike are reminded to URGENTLY label your instruments – hired or otherwise – so if found by a teacher around the school or left on a bus (don’t ask…) it has a hope of being quickly returned to you. Please add a key tag with a surname and phone number as a bare minimum as soon as possible.