From the Music Department
From the Music Department
Music Coordinator
Welcome to another wonderful year of Music at St Aloysius College. Music forms an integral part of the College community and provides students with opportunities to form new friendships, gain valuable life-skills, and contribute to the school community in a variety of ways. In addition to Music in the R-12 curriculum, St Aloysius College offers students the opportunity to take up individual tuition on a range of instruments and join various musical ensembles.
Why should students learn a musical instrument?
A wealth of recent research supports the fact that learning an instrument for an extended period of time has the potential to impact all aspects of a student’s intellectual and emotional intelligence. This extends beyond the music curriculum and may impact on a child’s capacity to achieve across all curriculum areas. Such studies have demonstrated that participating in a strong music program assists students to develop not only musical skills, but concentration, group cooperation, literacy, responsibility, self-esteem and confidence. Learning a musical instrument and participating in musical ensembles engages students in activities which develop higher-order thinking skills, executive functioning skills and creative problem-solving abilities. It’s also fun and a great way to meet new people! Instruments available for tuition at SAC in 2023 include:
| Acoustic Guitar | Flute | Violin |
| Electric Guitar | Clarinet | Viola |
| Bass Guitar | Oboe | Cello |
| Drum Kit/Percussion | Saxophone | Double Bass |
| Piano | Trumpet | Harp |
| Voice | Trombone | French Horn |
Lessons will be offered for 30 minutes per week during school time. Times are generally negotiated with the individual instrumental teacher so that lessons are on either fixed or rotating timetables, as appropriate. 2023 Instrumental/Vocal Tuition Application Forms with all details are available for collection from the Front Office, on the SAC website, or your daughter may collect a copy from the Music Department.
Ensemble playing gives students the opportunity to learn a vast array of repertoire while experiencing the fun and satisfaction of rehearsing and performing as part of a group. Students also use the opportunity to expand upon the techniques learned in private lessons. We encourage all students learning an instrument to participate in at least one ensemble at the school.
Ensembles offered are:
- Primary/Junior Choirs (Years 3-6)
- Catholic Schools Music Festival Choir (Years 5-6)
- Middle School Choir (Year 7-9)
- Senior Choir (Year 10-12)
- Catch 22 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (audition required)
- Junior String Ensemble
- String Quartet (audition required)
- Orchestra (Years 7-12)
- Flute Ensemble
- Primary Concert Band
- Primary Guitar Ensemble
- Concert Band (Years 7-12)
- Year 7/8 Band
- Stage Band (Years 8-12)
- Rock Bands (Years 8-12, audition required for Senior Rock Band)
- Drum Corps (Years 7-12)
- Small Jazz Combo (Year 10-12)
Each of these ensembles will have a variety of opportunities to perform throughout the year, the first performance for several of these groups will be at the Sounds of City Schools event on Thursday 2 March, followed by Open Night on Thursday 9 March. We hope to see many of you there!
To sign up for an ensemble, please go to Primary and Secondary Music Ensembles 2023 – Formstack
This year, the SAC Music Department is also introducing a Primary Strings Project. This program aims to offer an inspiring string education for participating students, with lessons occurring in small groups, reducing the cost to families. In this program, students will have private weekly small groups tuition with a specialist string tutor, and will be able to join the Junior String Ensemble once a suitable standard has been reached.
Students will have the opportunity to come and try the string instrument of their choice before enrolling, with the following ‘Come and Try’ sessions available:
Cello: Wednesday 15 February at lunch in D6
Violin/Viola: Friday 17 February at lunch D6 OR Friday 17 February from 3:15 – 3:45 in D6 (parents welcome to attend – please email [email protected] to register)
Further information regarding lesson and hire costs will be available at the Come and Try sessions.
For more information about the Instrumental or Music Curriculum Extension Program, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ms Fiona Turner
Music | Instrumental Program & Curriculum Extension Coordinator
