Instrumental Music and Vocal Program

1. Instrumental Music and Vocal Program Handbook

2. Music Department Personnel • Administration Ms Sandra Leadle Head of Department - The Arts • Classroom Staff Ms Colleen Sippo Mrs Monique McMullen Mrs Kathrine Jacobson • Instrumental Staff Mrs Christine Hayward -Brass Mr Jeff Jarrott -Percussion Mrs Jan Stuart-Street -Strings Mrs Nadine Dinnis -Strings Ms Kathryn Morton -Vocal Mr Fons Hartog -Woodwind Mrs Rhonda Haringcaspel -Woodwind Mrs Julie Price -Woodwind • Student Leaders Emma Holmes - Arts Captain Alistair Rolls - Arts Captain Meg Stegeman - Jazz Ensembles Jasmine Meaghan - Percussion Tim Holmes - String Ensembles Ehlana Davidson - Vocal Ensembles Laura Collins - Wind Ensembles • Poparts Committee Executive Chair - Mrs Ivy Hanley Vice Chair - Mrs Annie Rossouw Secretary - Mrs Angela Buchanan Treasurer - Mrs Judy Chester & - Mrs Ruth Logan

3. AMPed AMPed (Accelerated Music Program) is an award winning academic program that sees student’s accelerated through their curriculum program to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of music theory, techniques and aural work. The program starts in Yr 8 and in their fifth year (Year 12) they go on to complete their senior music plus a one year Extension Music subject. Both subjects will gain them QCE points and be considered in the calculations of OP’s at the end of their secondary schooling. To enable students to be accelerated through their studies they MUST be an active member to the Instrumental Music Program, attending lessons, rehearsals and performances. During classroom lesson time students will study (on-line) for AMEB Theory exams which will be undertaken at school. The students must pass these exams to be eligible to stay in the program.

4. Music Enrichment ME (Music Enrichment Program) sees student’s who have gained music knowledge and skills through involvement in primary school instrumental programs and/or private lessons, grouped together so as to promote higher level learning due to their enhanced base knowledge. The curriculum program helps to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of music theory, techniques and aural work. The program starts in Yr 8 and they can choose to continue music to Year 12 as well as undertaking Music Extension if they wish. Both subjects will gain them QCE points and be considered in the calculations of OP’s at the end of their secondary schooling. To enable students to be progress through their studies they MUST be an active member to the Instrumental Music Program, attending lessons, rehearsals and performances. During classroom lesson time students will study music theory based on AMEB Theory curriculum. They can then choose to sit the exams (on line - privately arranged) but do not have to, to be a member of this class.

5. Instrumental Music Tuition Education Queensland provides instrumental tuition as a part of a Music Program. The Gap SHS offers small group tuition in the following areas: • Woodwind: Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, All saxophones. • Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Euphonium, Baritone. • Percussion: Mallets, Untuned percussion, Drum Kit. • Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Base. • Students, who sign up for lessons, are required to attend one lesson per week as per timetable details on the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) notice board. Lessons take place during school class time on a rotational basis, which should result in students only missing two to four lessons of a particular subject per term. • Students receiving tuition at school are required to participate in at least one school ensemble once they have reached the required level of proficiency.

6. Below is an example of an instrumental tuition timetable Percussion Lesson Timetable Mr Jarrott

7. Commitment • Although being a member of the music program is voluntary, a high level of commitment and reliability is expected. Students must be committed to regular focused private practice, and attendance at rehearsals and lessons must be consistent. Most of the groups take part in regular performances both in school and out in the community, therefore students must organise their time effectively to make sure they are able to perform. If they are for any reason unable to perform, as much advance warning, in writing, should be given to avoid letting down their team-mates. • Membership of an ensemble requires: • High levels of communication with the ensemble director and music coordinator • Setting up and packing away instruments, stands and chairs safely and neatly • Helping with loading and unloading of equipment on buses and trucks • Taking care of instruments, equipment and music provided • Assisting where required

8. Parental Commitment Parents are requested to: • Provide support, encouragement and enthusiasm • Encourage your child/ren to attend all rehearsals, practice regularly and maintain instrument quality • Keep in contact with the Music Department and Poparts regarding contact numbers, change of details of student involvement and inability to attend rehearsals or performances • Support Poparts by attending meetings and/or helping with fundraising activities • Show enthusiasm by attending performances and functions • Check the students are wearing full and correct uniforms to all performances • Student Commitment Students are expected to: • Attend ensemble rehearsals and complete instrumental and/or voice practice as requested by classroom and instrumental teacher and work constructively and productively as a team. • Participate in competitions, formal occasions and award ceremonies as directed. • Wear the Performance Uniform professionally and proudly. • Take care of instruments and all school resources including print music and the PAC itself. • Collect and carry with you a copy of your tuition timetable and inform teachers in advance of the reason for your absence from their class. • Catch up on subject work missed while attending instrumental tuition. • Communicate promptly and clearly with the director, in writing, regarding any difficulties, problems or inability to attend rehearsals or performances. • Always behave in a manner that brings credit to you and the school community in general.

9. Selection of Students • Priority is given to: • Students who have played an orchestral instrument at primary school. • Students on transfer from other schools already included in an instrumental program. • Students who own their own instruments. • Student who have not studied an orchestral instrument at primary school but have private piano lessons and have reached AMEB Grade 3-4 can audition for a place in the percussion program • Selection in Ensembles • The ensemble in which the student participates is determined by the teacher and based on ability level not year level. • All students must be having lessons at school. • A student may be asked to take up a different instrument to help provide a balanced ensemble. • Absences • A student is expected to attend all lessons and rehearsals as required, and absence from either is treated seriously. • If, without good reason, a student is marked absent in a roll once then the teacher will contact their parent and deal with the matter. • The second time a student is marked absent without a satisfactory explanation the student is sent directly to the Head of Department who deals with the situation. • If this practice continues the parents will be asked to give cause as to why their child should remain in the program • The above rules apply separately to lessons and rehearsals but in either case if a student knows beforehand that he or she cannot be present, the teacher (or HoD) should be informed in advance.

10. Ensembles - Instrumental As the number of students involved in the program has increased, the school now has 11 instrumental ensembles and a choir. It is at the discretion of the band directors in consultation with the HoD as to which band students are assigned. This decision will be based on the students demonstrated music ability, their reliability and teamwork. Orchestra Director: Mr Jeff Jarrott • This ensemble is made up of strings, brass, woodwind and percussion students. • Rehearsals: These will occur periodically prior to performances- normally Monday afternoons Symphonic Wind Director: Mr Fons Hartog • This is an advanced ensemble is made up of brass, woodwind and percussion students. • Rehearsals: Monday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (I 2)

11. Wind Ensemble Director: Mrs Christine Hayward • This is an intermediate brass, woodwind and percussion ensemble. Rehearsals: Friday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (I 2) Concert Band Director: Mrs Rhonda Haringcaspel • This is the novice ensemble made up of brass, woodwind and percussion students. Rehearsals: Friday Mornings 7.00 for 7.15 - 8.00am (I 1-Hall) Big Band Director: Mr Fons Hartog • Brass, woodwind and percussion students, who are members of the Symphonic Winds or Wind Ensemble, or Percussion Ensemble, are invited to be members of this group. The Big Band plays swing and jazz styles. Rehearsals: Tuesday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (I 2) Stage Band Director: Mrs Julie Price • Brass, woodwind and percussion students, who are generally members of the Wind Ensemble or Concert Band or a Percussion student, are invited to be members of this group. The Stage band plays music from Rock to Swing and various other jazz styles. Rehearsals: Thursday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (N2)

12. Divertimenti Director: Mrs Jan Stuart-Street • Divertimenti consist of advanced string players. This is a motivated group who pride themselves on achieving well in all performances. They will be working on medium to advanced level repertoire. Students from this group as well as the Chamber Strings may be chosen to make up small groups. Rehearsals: Monday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (N8 – Auditorium) Chamber Strings Director: Mrs Jan Stuart-Street • The Chamber Strings will be working on medium to advanced level repertoire throughout the year. Rehearsals: Chamber Strings - Monday Afternoon 3.15 for 3.30 - 4.30pm (N8 – Auditorium) Vivaldi Strings Director: Mrs Natalie Sharp • The Vivaldi Strings will generally consist of the younger/intermediate string players. It is at the discretion of the band directors in consultation with the HoD as to which string ensemble students are assigned. This decision will be based on the students demonstrated music ability, their reliability and teamwork. • Rehearsals: Vivaldi Strings - Thursday Morning 7.05 for 7.20 - 8.20am • (N8 – Auditorium)

13. Asymmetrical Percussion Director: Mr Jeff Jarrott • The percussion ensembles are well known for their high quality performances in both competition and concert. • The ensembles membership may vary throughout the year depending on student ability and music selected. Students will be placed into an ensemble when their performance skills reach the required standard. • Non-percussion students who are members of advanced ensembles for their primary instrument, may be invited to join the percussion group if there is a vacancy and they have the skills required. Rehearsals: Percussion One - Thursday Mornings 7.00 for 7.15 - 8.30am (I 2) Percussion Two Director: Mr Jeff Jarrott • This novice ensemble develops skills in tuned and untuned percussion Percussion Two –Tuesday Mornings 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am - (I 2)

14. Choir Director: Ms Kathryn Morton • The school choir performs at several school and community concerts and official functions throughout the year, as well as participating in a number of competitions. • The choir is open to any students interested in singing and performing a wide range of material from traditional and sacred music to popular songs. • Students who are part of the accelerated music program are encouraged to be members of a choir, along with other year 7 to 12 music students who are also encouraged to take part, as vocal work makes up part of the assessment in each year level.Rehearsals: Choir - Wednesday – 7.15 for 7.30 - 8.30am (N8 – Auditorium)