Co-curricular Ensembles

Barker’s co-curricular ensemble program offers a wide variety of performance opportunities for students.

The co-curricular program is not only large, but also dynamic and diverse. Across both Junior and Senior Schools, there are over twenty five, choirs and orchestras involving hundreds of students. All ensembles perform in School concerts and other events, while some also participate in competitions, festivals and undertake national and international tours.

All ensembles are graded by ability and age so that the Music students work together at the appropriate level. There are occasions when the different ensembles combine for concerts. Rehearsals for all ensembles take place either before or after School. Ensembles perform at many of the major Music events throughout the year, including Symphony Under the Stars, Barker College concerts, Masterpiece Concerts, Sydney Eisteddfod and Band Festivals.

Co-curricular Ensemble Rehearsals

Students are expected to attend every rehearsal and performance. Parents/ guardians should provide written explanation for absences from rehearsals. Requests to be excused from performances should be directed to the Head of Music. Members of the Chamber Choir, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra and Senior Percussion Ensemble may be awarded honour colours for their involvement in these premier ensembles.

A detailed co-curricular ensemble rehearsal timetable can be found on the Barker website.

Band Program

At Barker College, there are currently seven concert bands - three in the Junior School and four in the Senior School, namely: • Training Band • Junior Concert Band

• Junior Wind Ensemble

• Henrie Wind Ensemble

• Kurrajong Wind Ensemble • McCaskill Wind Ensemble

• Wind Orchestra

• Wind Symphony

Jazz Program

Instrumentalists performing in the School band program may also be invited to perform in one of the School’s stage bands.

Similar to the band program, these ensembles are graded according to experience and ability. The Jazz Orchestra, Stage Bands and Jazz Ensembles are featured at the School Dinner Dance - Barker Swings - and they perform at many other Music events throughout the year. • Jazz Orchestra

• Senior Stage Band • Middle School Jazz Orchestra

• Big Band • Stage Band • Junior Stage Band • Jazz Ensembles

• Ska Jazz Ensemble String Program

String players from Junior School get their first orchestral experience through the classroom program with string orchestras commencing in Year 2. All string players at the School rehearse and perform in a string orchestra or chamber orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra in both Senior and Junior Schools combines selected members of the string orchestras and woodwind, brass and percussion players from the Band Program. • Symphony Orchestra • Chamber Orchestra

• Middle School String Orchestras • Junior School Chamber Orchestra

• Intermediate String Orchestra • Vivaldi Strings, Paganini Strings • Tartini Strings

Choral Program

Barker College has an outstanding reputation for its choirs. The Senior Choir is a nonauditioned choir and is open to all members of the Senior School. Singers in the Senior Choir may audition for the Chamber Choir. The Middle School Choir is also a nonauditioned choir for students in Years 7 - 9.

Prep and Junior School students perform in year group choirs as part of their classroom music curriculum. Students in Years 5 - 8 may audition for the award-winning Copeland Choir.

• Senior Choir

• Chamber Choir

• Middle School Choir

• Copeland Choir Ensemble Placement

In term 4 each year all instrumentalists and vocalists (years 3- 12) and students new to the school are required to audition for large ensemble placement in the following year. This process requires an online submission power recording of the student performing. An interview with music students, parents and music staff is also part of the process and is a friendly way to welcome new students to the music program

Chamber Music

Instrumentalists involved in the large ensemble program may choose to be involved in brass, woodwind, percussion and guitar ensembles. String students from Years 3 to 12 also have the opportunity to rehearse and perform repertoire for small ensembles such as duets, trios, quartets and quintets. Pianists can also be involved in this program.

Contemporary Music Program

Barker College encourages and facilitates a diverse range of contemporary music, from rock, pop, acoustic, electronic and more. Middle and Senior School students who are interested in these styles are welcome to join the Contemporary Music Program. The aim of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to form a band, learn rehearsal techniques and perform on stage. The program can assist students forming their own rock band with like-minded students and caters for beginners to more experienced players. For established bands, the program provides rehearsal spaces, fully equipped with a drum kit, two guitar amps, bass amp, keyboard amp, microphones and a PA. Rehearsals take place in the Music Centre during lunchtime and after School, and music staff are available during rehearsal times to help develop performance skills. Students involved in the program will also have the opportunity to attend various workshops throughout the year, learning from musicians working in the industry. The program offers a number of performance opportunities throughout the year, including: • Coffee House Unplugged • Coffee House

• Spring Fair • Lunchtime Jams

Music Camp

Music Camp is one of the highlights of the school year for Barker’s Senior School music students. Music Camp is a great start to the School year and takes place in late January just prior to the resumption of School. The students have fun concentrating on their music in the company of their peers. New students have a wonderful opportunity to meet with other musicians and enjoy the highly supportive rehearsals and social activities.

The three day Music Camp is compulsory for all Middle and Senior School musicians who participate in the co-curricular music ensemble program. Enrolment details and other information is sent to parents/guardians early in Term 4 each year. A two day non-residential music camp for Junior School ensembles is held in Term 1 of each year.

Symphony Under the Stars

Symphony Under the Stars is Barker Music’s annual outdoor concert showcase. The event takes place on the OBA Soundstage in March on a balmy late summer evening and attracts an audience of over 2000 people. Over 450 students perform on the night. The evening concludes with a large combined singalong performance of karaoke classics’ Families bring their own picnic-style refreshments and can order meals from the Friends of Barker Music to support its fundraising.

Masterpiece Concerts

An important part of the senior ensemble program is the presentation of showcase concerts at the Concourse Chatswood. The concerts are popular not only with the students, but also with families, staff and the wider community. Band, Orchestra and Choral Concerts

Each music co-curricular program is represented at a concert that showcases performances from Junior, Middle and Senior School Ensembles. Student soloists and professional guest artists are sometimes also invited to perform at these events.

Coffee House

Coffee House is a student-run rock concert organised by the music captains which showcases over twenty of the very best Barker student rock bands.

Coffee House is no ordinary School rock concert. Our sound and lighting is provided by the companies responsible for Splendor in the Grass and The Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival. Every year, over 40 bands audition for a chance to play to a packed-out Leslie Hall. For some young musicians, Coffee House is the first time their band hits the stage in front of an audience. For others, it is a chance to engage the audience and show off their musical skills. All bands gain valuable experience in the art of performing and musical expression and for many students, Coffee House is the highlight of contemporary music at Barker College.

Coffee House Unplugged

Coffeehouse Unplugged is the more relaxed acoustic version of Coffee House. Students perform for their friends acoustic pop and rock styles.

Barker Swings

Barker Swings is held in Week 2 of Term 3. The event is coordinated by the Friends of Barker Music (FOBM) and features the School’s jazz program. The event is also a major fundraising for the Music centre resources for students. Each year a respected Australian jazz musician spends a week in rehearsals, workshops and classes with the students and performs on the night with the Barker Music Staff Invitational Big Band. Barker Swings is a cabaret style dinner dance held in the School’s Multi-Purpose Hall. The evening includes pre-dinner nibbles, a twocourse meal and licensed beverage service.

HSC Showcase Concerts

Prior to their HSC Performance Exams, all Year 12 elective music students perform at special showcase concerts. The repertoire performed represents courses of study undertaken by the students in HSC Music Course 1, Course 2 and Music Extension.

The audience of parents/guardians, students and staff enjoy outstanding performances of contemporary Australian music, baroque, classical, romantic, jazz, rock and pop styles. The HSC Showcase Concerts are held in Term 3 in the Malcolm Williamson Recital Hall and the Peter Walmsley Band Room in the Music Centre. Senior Ensemble Farewell Concert

This concert is the last time Year 12 ensemble members perform at Barker. It is a celebration of their achievements and provides an opportunity for parents/guardians, staff and students to express thanks to the Year 12 students for their contribution to the Music program over their School life. After the concert Year 12 students and parents/ guardians come together for a supper in the Music Centre Atrium.

Musical Production

The annual Barker College Musical Production is one of the biggest music events of the year. It is staged in Week 3 of Term 4. Involvement in the musical production is open to Years 10 and 11. Auditions for the cast are in June, and rehearsals start early in Term 3 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday afternoons. Students are also involved in the orchestra and backstage crew. The production of the show is overseen by the Music Department. Staff from Drama and other departments across the School are also involved in directing, choreography and technical support.

Junior School Ensembles Concert

This event features the Junior School ensembles. It is held in the School’s Multi-Purpose Hall in Term 3.