Music

Departmental News

The Music Department is excited to be opening its doors to what will be another new and exciting year of musical learning. Following on from various professional learning and training sessions throughout last week, our team of passionate Music educators and specialists are incredibly excited about the creative journey that lies ahead for our Music community. What lies ahead for all our students is a rich and diverse range of Music opportunities for all aspiring young musicians enrolled in the Academic, Cocurricular and Extra Subject Music programs.

Over the summer holiday period, the Department celebrated in the outstanding achievements of the Yr 12 graduates, who all obtained exceptional results in their Music studies in the Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate courses. In the HSC, the top mark awarded was 95% and in IB Music, Grade 7. As a group of musicians, 67% of students studying Music courses received an ATAR of 90+.

New Staff Welcome

The Department would like to welcome a number of new Music teachers to our team across the Junior and Senior Campuses. In leading our Instrumental Music Ensembles, Mr Mathew Owen joins us as Lead Conductor and Music teacher (Yrs 7-12), while in the Extra Subjects Music program, we welcome Ms Julia Booth (Vocal Specialist) and Mr Solomon Frank (Clarinet Specialist).

Music Department Launch Event

Come join us for an evening of Jazz Music as the Friends of Music host our launch event, Jazz in the Gardens, on Saturday 9 March at 6.00pm. As part of this event, the first-ever Redlands EP of Original Compositions will be released. Please mark this event in your calendar.

Friends of Music Meeting

The first Friends of Music Meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 February at 4.30pm in T14. We welcome all families from the Junior and Senior Campuses to this team of parent volunteers. Afternoon tea will be provided at 4.00pm.

Extra Subjects Private and Group Music Tuition

The Private and Group Tuition commences next week in Week 2. Please note that Music specialists will be in direct contact with parents to issue the teaching timetable for the term.

The Extra Subjects Music Tuition program provides specialist lessons in private singing and instrumental tuition. This program is primarily to provide tuition during school hours, where students leave a curriculum for 30 minutes per week to attend their private Music lesson. Music tutors rotate the lesson times on a four-weekly cycle to ensure that students only miss 30 minutes of the same curriculum lesson two to three times each term. Only in special circumstances, and if possible within individual teaching timetables, will Music tutors be able to organise for lessons to be made during free periods, lunch, before or after school hours.

All enrolments for Extra Subjects Voice and Instrumental tuition must be submitted by Friday 15 February for lessons to commence in Term 1. Any forms received after this date will commence lessons in Term 2. Parents and guardians are advised that students who are requesting a change to their current Extra Subject Music tuition will need to submit a Notification of Change Form four weeks prior to the end of Semester 1. Please note that once term has commenced, lessons will NOT be able to be terminated. The Notification of Change form can be downloaded from Redlands Pulse and emailed to Music Administrators.

The Extra Subjects Group Music tuition program includes Musicianship, Sound Engineering, Rock Bands and Composition. These groups meet throughout the week before and after school and provide students with opportunities in building music theory skills, recording, contemporary performance and song writing. These lessons occur before or after school and are led by our experienced Music tutors and specialists in these areas of learning. Days and times of these classes can be found on Redlands Pulse under Music.

Junior and Secondary Cocurricular Music Ensembles

Cocurricular Music ensembles commence in Week 3, providing students with a wide variety of ensembles in which to participate. The Ensemble program is based on participation in the CORE experiences of Band, Choral, Guitar and Strings, with students being invited to participate in the Extension Program in the areas of Jazz and Chamber Music. The Music Department invites any interested students to sign-up by Friday 15 February. Days and times of rehearsals can be found on Redlands Pulse under Music. 

Music Competition Series

Students are encouraged to begin selecting and preparing repertoire for the upcoming auditions for the various Music competitions. The process in selecting finalists will require students to present one work which demonstrates musical competency. For information on audition requirements please download forms from Redlands Pulse under Music.

Senior Campus

Advanced Music Ensembles Auditions

Students who would like to audition for Advanced Strings or Advanced Concert Band are required to email seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au for more information. These auditions will be held on Monday 4 February and Wednesday 6 February (Week 2). For more information on audition requirements, please find application forms on Redlands Pulse. 

Senior Music Lockers

Music Instrument Lockers are in the process of being processed and assigned. Please ensure you have completed the Music Locker form and submitted to the Secondary School Music Office by Monday 4 February. This form can be found on Redlands Pulse.

Junior Campus

Music Instrumental Program (MIP)

MIP commenced today for Yrs 4 and 5. In allocating instruments, parents are required to have logged into Relands Pulse to give consent for Instrument Hire if you are wishing to hire from the school. A reminder that all students in Yr 4 will be billed $20 for the accompanying text for the program. This book was distributed today. It is an expectation that all students complete a minimum of 3 x 15 minute practices a week. For any enquiries regarding the MIP program, please contact Hilary Luck, Assistant Coordinator of Music.

Junior Music Ensemble Auditions

Students who would like to audition for the Ensembles listed below are required to complete an audition application form. For information on audition requirements, please find application forms on Redlands Pulse. On receipt of submitted applications, parents will be contacted with confirmation of audition by Junior Music Administration.

• Junior Voices Audition – Friday 8 February (7.30am)
• Junior Concert Band – Thursday 7 February (Lunchtime)

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