
Music
"Music is fun! It plays such a unique and influential role in our lives and the world at large. Our purpose is to equip all our students to be confident and capable music makers in whichever ways they pursue."
– Renate Sykes, Music Coordinator
We believe that every child is musical, and we love to see students enjoy the unique creative outlet that making music provides.
Music is a tool that helps us process and communicate some of the more difficult things in life. Music is for everyone; as the Zimbabwe saying goes: ‘if you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing’.
In all our music programs across the school, students grow and learn teamwork. They experiment and adapt, they learn how to blend and how to stand out, and enjoy celebrating music made by themselves and others.
Our music program starts in the classroom, is complemented by co-curricular choirs and bands and is supported by our instrumental program, which is staffed by skilled and talented tutors. All of this sits within our Christian Framework of being salt and bringing light in our community.
Ensemble Program
We offer a large number of ensembles for students who wish to extend their adventures in music.
All Year 5 students participate in our scholarship program and form our training band, rehearsing weekly to improve musical skills and build confidence.
Junior Band is for students who wish to continue with the band program outside of school hours.
Senior Band is for more advanced students and is our premier ensemble. Recently we performed a number of popular film score pieces such as Back to the Future theme and Raider’s March.
Percussion Ensemble and Brass Ensemble are run by our talented tutors at lunchtimes and are smaller ensembles dedicated to those instrument sections.All students from Years 1 to 12 have the opportunity to participate in a choir.
Junior Choir is open to students from Pre-Primary to Year 2. These students learn how to sing melodiously together in a large ensemble.
Mezzo Choir is for students in Years 3 and 4. These students begin to learn part-singing and vocal technique.
Crescendo Choir is for students in Years 5 and 6. These students embrace more difficult repertoire and include dance in their routines.
The Senior Choir is open to all high school students.
All choirs and bands rehearse weekly and are invited to perform at various community events including school assemblies, Music Night and Presentation Night.
From Kickstart to Year 8, all students participate in the classroom music program which includes practical activities, reading music, aural training and creating music through composing and performing, both solo and in groups. In Years 9 and 10, music is offered as an elective.
To support the classroom and ensemble music program, private instrumental tuition is available for all students from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
Students are taught by expert tutors in a choice of instruments including Flute, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Mallet Percussion, French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar (acoustic and electric), Bass, Drum kit and Voice.
Lessons occur during class time on a rotating timetable and instrument hire is available for selected instruments.
All Year 5 students at the college are invited to participate in a free music scholarship program, whereby instrumental tuition is provided free for one year. The vast majority of students then choose to continue their instrument into Year 6 and beyond.
The Music department regularly organises, participates in and presents various events. In the past these have included lunchtime concerts, choral festivals, Talent Shows and our annual Music Night. We also enjoy presenting large-scale performances at our Presentation Nights in December each year.