Music

Music in schools is one of the most important subjects within any school curriculum, as varied experiences in musical learning encompass physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual elements in the shaping of a child’s development. At its core, the teaching and learning environment for Music at Redlands focuses on a sequential Music Literacy plan, stretching across the scope of the School P-12. Commencing in the Preschool, progressive Curriculum and Cocurricular Program in Music learning extends into Yr 12 Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate courses.

Designed and shaped by 21^st century thinking in educational practices, with learning evidence stepped in Making Thinking Visible, the Music Curriculum reflects this learning objective by drawing on elements from Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk learning processes and methodologies. This scaffolded and sequential approach to Music education at Redlands, provides students with opportunities to develop aural discernment skills through a mixture of choral and instrumental learning experiences, with the intent to further enhance and extend musicianship and music listening appreciation skills.

With classroom learning shaped around this music education philosophy, we as a department believe that teaching values are an integral dimension of learning through the study of Music. Ingrained into the Redlands Music program, there are key values learned as a result of music studies and performance. These include self-regulation, dedication, continuous improvement, self-confidence, humility, goal-setting and practice.

Jazz In The Garden (Live Streamed)

With rehearsals for Jazz Ensembles commencing this week, preparations are already underway for the 2021 Music Launch event. Students enrolled in the Jazz program will be participating in our annual launch event, Jazz in The Garden, on Saturday 13 March at 6.00pm. Rehearsals for this event will take place between 2.00-6.00pm throughout the afternoon prior to the event. Please note that a letter of communication will be issued to families in Week 4.

Battle of the Bands (Yrs 5-12)

Audition Series 1 (Week 5)

In conjunction with our Rock Band Specialists, the determined theme for this year’s Battle of the Bands is Music from the ’80s. This theme will certainly celebrate this wonderful decade of music and is a prerequisite for all entries. The Battle of the Bands supports our emerging contemporary musicians, with the competition to be held Monday 29 March commencing at 6.00pm. The competition is open to students in Yrs 7-12 and features our Junior School Rock Bands as featured performers. Audition forms can be collected from Music Receptions or downloaded from Redlands Pulse.

Junior and Senior Piano Competitions (Years 3-12)

Audition Series 2 (Weeks 6 and 7)

The audition process will require students to demonstrate advanced technical skills, personal expression and understanding of style. It is expected that students present works demonstrating a high standard of musical competency. Please note only one piece is required for the audition with the second contrasting piece listed on the application form. These competitions will be held in the Edwards Auditorium on Friday 30 April. Audition forms can be collected from Music Receptions or downloaded from Redlands Pulse.

Extra Subjects Programs

All enrolments for Extra Subjects Voice Tuition, Instrumental Tuition and Group Tuition must be submitted by Friday 12 February for lessons to commence in Term 1. Any forms received after this date will commence lessons in Term 2.

Senior Campus

Students in Yrs 8 and 9 Music Elective classes, attended an evening excursion to the City Recital to hear the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra Concert present Voyage of Music Discovery titled Motivic Development.

As part of this Concert Series, there is a featured contemporary guest artist in the second half and students were thrilled to know that it was Saxophone specialist tutor Mr Nicholas Russoniello. At this concert, Nick presented his original composition, Suite for Saxophones and Loop Station, a tour de force of real-time composition. His creation was based on a groove-based work by layering and developing musical elements as diverse as beatbox, reggae and minimalism. Nick has been described as a “polyphonic one-man-band, imaginatively extending the sonic capabilities of the saxophone in live performance”.

Our Music Elective students thoroughly enjoyed hearing Mr Russoniello’s original composition, as many of the students across these courses are tutored by Nick as part of their instrumental studies. Nick is an integral member of the Junior Campus Music Instrumental program (Yrs 4 and 5), which provides students with the initial steps in learning the saxophone. His studio is ever-growing and always at full capacity, with many students loving their lessons and continuing with their instrumental studies into the HSC and IB courses of Music learning.

Enjoy this impressive recording of Pocket Loops (from Suite For Sax & Loop Station) composed in 2018.

Study Centre

Require any extra support in developing and furthering your Composing, listening and Performing Skills? Why not come along to the Music Study Centre on Monday (7.30-8.00am) or Friday (3.30-4.30pm). Please email seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Junior Campus

Extra Subjects Programs

Enrolments for Term 1 tuition are now closed. Term 2 enrolments close on Friday 1 April.

Instrument Insurance

School hired instruments must be included on personal home and contents insurance as Redlands cannot be held responsible for instruments which are lost, stolen or damaged. As all instruments are very fragile, we ask for your assistance in ensuring that students do not let other children play with their instrument, instruments are kept in a safe place and out of extreme temperatures (ie. hot car) and are not left out of their case when not in use.

Daily Instrument Storage Arrangements

Monday – Strings Program

On a Monday morning Cello (only) students are to bring their instruments for storage in the purpose-built cupboards in The Parkes Building corridor. For the security and safety of all resources, instruments are not to be left at school overnight as they are needed at home for regular practice sessions. Violins and Violas are to be stored safely within the child’s classroom.

Thursday – Concert Band Program and Yr 4 and 5 MIP

On Thursday mornings, Cello, Trombone, Baritone and Violin (only) students are to bring their instruments for storage in the purpose-built cupboards in the Parkes Building corridor. For the security and safety of all resources, instruments are not to be left at school overnight as they are needed at home for regular practice sessions. Flutes and Clarinets are to be stored in school bags on Thursday and all other instruments are to be stored safely within the child’s classroom. For student safety, instruments are not to be left outside classrooms in corridors or on the ground.

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