Music

Jazz in the Garden

What an absolutely wonderful evening last Saturday night as Secondary School students and staff hosted Jazz In The Garden in association with the Friends of Music. This annual launch event for the Music Department followed a 15 month hiatus, as the last live performance by Redlands students dates back to the Annual Prize Giving and Awards Night in December 2019.

It was clear from the energy within the Edwards Auditorium that the Redlands Music community was thrilled to be back listening to live music by Redlands students. Family and friends were so excited to be invited as guests on campus and listen to the performers play their instruments with such finesse and sing so expressively as ensembles from the Redlands Jazz program presented a rich and diverse range of popular Jazz standards. This selection of repertoire was interspersed with recordings from the 2019 and 2020 Redlands EP Project, a new initiative for young composers that was featured as part of this event.

Throughout the concert program, our Student Leaders hosted this evening of live music with such eloquence and poise. Thanks are extended to Piper Allen and Theo Mirlees-Black (School Captains), Maddison Hunt and Felix Abrahams (Arts Captains) and Beatrix Blasco, Alex Kim, Lucy McLaren and Bethany Richardson (Music Captains), and a special thank you to Joshua Colleran for his technological skills in filming and editing the pre-recorded Captains who welcomed guests and introduced the performers.

For those who were able to join us in this live setting, it was clear that our Redlands musicians loved being back on the stage and it was wonderful to see their faces come alive as they shared their musical talents in front of a live audience; something they have truly missed over many months.

In sharing the feedback received from staff, Redlands Alumni and the wider School community, it was clear that our audiences appreciated the excellent standard of ensemble performance skills by the students and were impressed by the overall professionalism of the combined live and streamed concert. A credit to everyone involved onstage, off stage and behind the scenes.

A big thank you to our conductors and accompanists for bringing together a diverse range of repertoire in a very short time frame and for managing rehearsals. We are very fortunate to have such exceptional music specialists at the helm of these ensembles. In leading the Jazz Bands, it is wonderful to be working in association with our new Head of Bands, Joseph Montz, as he was able to share his expertise at this event in developing students’ music ensemble skills and stagecraft.

Particular thanks are extended to Ben Peate and Pete Atkins, who were instrumental in facilitating and operating audio, lighting, vision and all the logistical challenges aspects in coordinating both a live and streamed event simultaneously.

The quality of the original compositions, reflecting student contributions as part of the Redlands EP Projects 2019 and 2020, was exceptional. Thanks to our sound engineer Pete Atkins for his management of all these recordings.

As always the combined efforts of Music Administration working in the background in preparing communications, signage and management of guests, never goes unnoticed. Thanks to Amy, Jacqueline and Pip. The safe management of parents in and out of the auditorium was handled efficiently and in an organised manner, in line with our COVID plan.

Special thanks to Friends of Music President, Mrs Emma McLaren, for her oversight of the Trybooking system, door lists and seating plans, along with the organisation of teams of parents to assist with ushering and seating.

We look forward to welcoming our next audience to the live event for Battle of the Bands on Monday 29 March.

Battle of the Bands Yrs 5-12

Monday 29 March at 6.00pm in Edwards Auditorium

In Week 10, the Music Department looks forward to welcoming parents and friends to participate as audience members at this event. Limited tickets will be made available to family members of students performing across this evening, with tickets capped at two per family. We will also continue to welcome virtual audiences to participate in this event as we continue to Live Stream the concert for those who are unable to join us on-site.

Book here

Zoom Webinar Link (virtual waiting room opens at 5.45pm)

Musicianship Lessons

Students are able to participate in Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Musicianship lessons on either the Junior Campus or Senior Campus. Classes for Junior School students are on Tuesday (7.30-8.15am) and Secondary School students on Tuesday and Thursday (7.30-8.15am). We encourage all students interested in pursuing theoretical examinations to commence these lessons with our Music Theory tutors. Please contact juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au if you are interested in joining these classes.

Senior Campus

Senior Music Festival

The Friends of Music, in association with the Music Department, will be assisting with the coordination of costumes for the Yr 12 Finale Mamma Mia!, highlights from the movie soundtrack. As part of the organisation of costumes, a request for old unwanted white wedding dresses to be donated to the Department as we plan for this exciting Yr 12 Graduation Finale of the 2021 Senior Music Festival.

Music Study Centre

In providing additional learning and mentoring for Secondary School students, Music teachers facilitate weekly sessions in providing additional learning experiences in the areas of Musicianship, Aural Skills, Microphone Technique and Performance Craft. Students in Yrs 7-12 Music Elective courses are encouraged to attend these sessions on a Monday (7.30-8.15am) and Friday (3.30-4.30pm).

Extra Subjects Programs

Term 2 enrolments close on Thursday 1 April.

Junior Campus

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.

Extra Subjects Programs

Term 2 Enrolments close on Thursday 1 April.

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