Music

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The year is off and racing! Students have met their teachers, discussed learning topics, launched projects and activities and we’re fast finding our ‘groove’ for what promises to be a great year to come.

The coming week will see our Cocurricular programs launch con forza!  All Teachers, Tutors & Music Captains are excited to greet members new and old in our first rehearsals. It’s not too late to sign up if you’ve yet to do so.

We’re also looking forward to revealing the themes for this year’s Junior & Senior Music Festivals (drum roll!) and know there is some wonderful music-making in store this year.

Student Leadership Opportunities

We are always looking for ways to strengthen our leadership structures and provide students with opportunities to experience leading their peers. This year, in collaboration with the Music & Arts Captains, we have determined some students who we feel are ready to step up in their ensembles as Ensemble Section Leaders and we will be announcing these roles in our ensembles in the week to come.

Student Performances

Though only the second week back, our Yr 12 students have shown off their collective holiday diligence, as they took to the stage to perform for our special events this past week. We acknowledge the contributions of Maya Little, Phoebe Barnett, Lily Kneale, Elke Mueller & Ash Mitchell in their superb and professional leading of the official music, in addition to the moving, musically established solo performances offered by both Jamison Houchell (Trombone) and Joe Griffiths (Saxophone) at the Principal Commissioning and the Academic Achievement & Growth Assembly respectively this week. 

The Music Department wishes our whole community a wonderful Week 3 to come.

Let’s make some great music together.

Amy Richardson | Director of Music P-12

Curricular Music News

Yr 2 Strings – ‘Sing and String’

Yr 2 students were treated to a performance from our Strings tutors this week, in preparation for instrument allocations and distribution. Some students even knew the names of the pieces – Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart and Hungarian Dance Number 5 by Brahms. It was wonderful to see students mesmerised by their teachers, and the excitement in the room was palpable. Families will be receiving allocations this week and are reminded to complete the loan permission in the parent portal prior to Monday. 

Yrs 4 & 5 Music Instrumental Program – ‘MIP’

Year 4 students had their very first instrumental MIP lesson today and it is already evident that we will have a wonderful year of music making with this cohort. 

Year 5 returning students have already experienced large ensemble playing this year in MIP, and our new students commenced their instrumental lessons today.

We highly encourage our new students to take up the ‘4 week booster’ private lesson program, as a way to accelerate their learning and feel that sense of achievement straight away. Simply use the Extracurricular Enrolment form on Pulse to sign up – and after filling in all the usual details in the ‘Notes’ section, write ‘4 week booster’ and we’ll allocate your request.

All students are reminded to ensure they bring their instrument, MIP book, a pencil and their iPad each Thursday. 

Katherine Moses | Head of Junior Campus Music P-6

Extra & Cocurricular Music News

Activities Fair

This lunch time was an exciting chance for our Music Captains for 2023 to meet interested students and to tell them all about what they love about their involvement in the Music Department.  Shout out to the Rock Bands who offered to perform for their peers at short notice. Music makes everything better, so thank you for your generosity of spirit to share this with the School.

Extension Auditions (Senior)

Students should have now seen their enrolment in the iLearn course ‘Music Department Auditions’. Students can navigate the relevant section of the course to access information for online auditions. 

A reminder that auditions for the Advanced & Extension ensembles close tomorrow – Friday 10 February via iLearn upload. Results for the Advanced and Extension ensemble auditions will be communicated in the coming week.

Extension Auditions (Junior)

Audition details, including processes and requirements, will be disseminated to those families who have enrolled in one of the following extension ensembles. Please mark these dates in your calendar and we look forward to supporting students through the audition process.

LINK TO JUNIOR EXTENSION AUDITION FORM

Private Lessons?

It’s not too late to enrol in one of our Extracurricular offerings for 2023! Would you like to learn an instrument? Perhaps you’re interested in Rock Bands, Sound Engineering or Musicianship Classes? We have a host of world class Music Specialists in our team, offering instrumental and vocal tuition of the highest standard across both campuses.   If you’re not already in our program, click here to enrol!

General Music News

Communication

Repeating our advice from last week, please make sure that you have downloaded the Redlands App so that you can see when your Private lessons and cocurricular ensembles have been scheduled.  If your child is old enough to have a device of their own, we would encourage you to work to have this App installed also, in support of their schooling communication.

Friends of Music

Since last week, we’ve been delighted at the influx of Expressions of Interest from right across our school as parents have generously offered to come alongside our P-12 Music programs this year.

To kick off the year, we will be having a gathering from 7pm on Thursday 23 February 2023 in the Edwards Auditorium on the Senior Campus. Light refreshments will be provided as we dream and plan together for the year ahead.  As mentioned last week, the invitation for this partnership is to all Prep, Junior & Senior School parents!  Email our 2023 President (Lisa Connors) at redlandsfriendsofmusic@gmail.com and / or leave your details via the linked Friends of Music Expression of Interest form.

Sing out!

Our Music Administration Team is on hand to assist you with any queries you have. 

Jacqueline McGlade | Junior Campus Music Administrator

juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au

CLICK FOR PREP & JUNIOR MUSIC PULSE

Kirsty Hales | Senior Campus Music Administrator

seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au

CLICK FOR SENIOR MUSIC PULSE