MUSIC
STAFF
MR JEREMY WILLIAMSON Director of Performing Arts
MISS RENAE BATTLE Music Teacher
MRS NERIDA RIENECKER Head of Music
MR WARREN DORR
Instrumental Coordinator
MS JENNY MOON
Head of Choral and Vocal Studies
MRS SHARON ASLEY
Performing Arts Administrator
COCURRICULAR TUTORS
MISS CHLOE RICHARDSON Strings Coordinator
MR WARREN DORR Curriculum Music, Brass
MISS GEORGIA SHINE Cello, Double Bass
MRS VERA HARDMAN Flute, Theory
MRS REBECCA PITT Piano
MISS AMELIA SWIFT Clarinet, Saxophone
MRS NECIA SMITH Piano
MR ANDY MITCHELSON Guitar, Bass Guitar
MRS YAN YAN BOWIE Piano
MR LACHLAN O’KEEFE Drum Kit, Percussion
MRS SAMANTHA FIDDES Voice
MR DAVID KEMP Drum Kit, Percussion
MISS CHLOE RICHARDSON Violin, viola
COCURRICULAR MUSIC PROGRAM As part of our cocurricular program, Hillcrest Christian College provides specialised tuition in music that are outside the normal school curriculum. This program is available to all students and is mostly administered during normal school hours at the College for your convenience. The Cocurricular Music program is designed to complement the curriculum music education of your child. The benefits of learning Music this way are enormous and research tells us that: •
Students who learn an instrument can have greater academic success and gain increased pathways towards University entrance.
•
Learning an instrument can provide students with greater social inclusion and positive experiences with others
•
Students who learn an instrument are engaging in rich learning experiences and gain life- long skills that will stay with them and allow them the opportunity to express themselves in a creative way.
LESSON LENGTH AND FEES
The College has a number of tutors who work onsite giving co-curricular music and tuition. There are 32 weeks of tuition per year with 8 weeks in each Term. Once application for lessons is made to the College; tutors are given parent contact details to arrange lessons. All lesson arrangements are arranged directly between tutors and families. Piano, strings and voice are the only instruments that are not eligible for group lessons. Private lessons: $34.50 Paired lessons: $20 Group lessons: $12
ENROLMENT PROCESS
The online enrolment form can be found in the Performing Arts section of the Parent Lounge. Registration for enrolment for Semester 1, 2017 is due by Monday January 30. Positions in tutors timetables to fill up fast and cannot be guaranteed after this date.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
One term’s fees (8 weeks) will be paid in full on registration to the College via the Parent Lounge. In the interests of the tutor, lessons can only be discontinued at the end of a school term. The College requires notice in writing from a parent or guardian at least 2 weeks prior to the end of the school term. Cancellation mid-term will result in forfeiting fees paid.
ABSENCES
It is the responsibility of the student or parent to notify the tutor prior to 7.30 am on the day of the lesson if the student is going to be absent due to illness. This is in addition to ringing the school absentee line. Tutors may be contacted via their College email address. 24 hour’s notice must be given for any other absence. In the case of school excursions and camps that are on the College calendar, these lessons will be made up throughout the semester. Lessons that are missed without notice will not be made up. Whilst our tutors will make every attempt to locate students who fail to attend lessons, if a student is at school and does not attend their lesson it is not the responsibility of the tutor to make up these lessons. Lessons are only made up for private and paired tuition.
EXTENDED ABSENCES
The Head of Music must be notified, in writing, of an extended absence (e.g. overseas holiday) so that arrangements can be made concerning fees.
EXAMINATIONS AND CONCERTS
Regular feedback regarding the progress of students is essential for sustaining development in Music. The most common communication method between tutor and parents/students is through the use of a practice journal. Tutors will also provide the opportunity for students to perform in a studio concert throughout the year. Students at an appropriate level are encouraged to sit external examinations through Music examination boards such as the AMEB or Trinity-Guildhall in addition to participating in competitions and festivals.
MUSIC THEORY
As students progress in their Music tuition, it becomes vital that they study Music theory to complement the practical elements. We have a number of experienced theory tutors and enrolment to study Music theory is the same as for instrumental/vocal lessons.
2017 INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES ENSEMBLE
DIRECTOR
REHEARSAL TIME
VENUE
Year 4 Strings
Chloe Richardson
Classroom music time
MPH
Year 5 Strings
Chloe Richardson
Classroom music time
MPH
Year 6 Strings
Chloe Richardson
Classroom music time
MPH
Hillcrest String Orchestra
Chloe Richardson
Thursday 7:30-8:20am
Senior Music Room
Senior String Quartet
Georgia Shine
Thursday 3:15-4:05pm
Senior Music Room
Year 5 Band
Warren Dorr
Classroom music time
Theatre
Year 6 Band
Jeremy Williamson
Classroom music time
Theatre
Senior Band
Jeremy Williamson
Thursday 7:30-8:20am
Theatre
Flute Ensemble
Vera Hardman
Friday Break 1
MPH
Percussion Ensemble
David Kemp
Thursday 3:15-4:05pm
Theatre
Drumline
Lachlan O’Keefe
Tuesday 3:15-4:05pm
Theatre
INSTRUMENT STORAGE
Students may store their instrument in the storage room in the Performing Arts building during the day. Instruments are to be kept neatly on the shelves. It is expected that instruments will go home with students at the end of the day so that daily practice routines can be maintained.
PRACTICE
Tutors will give advice surrounding how much practice is to be done and what sorts of things need to be worked on between lessons. As a guideline, beginners should practice 20 minutes per day for 5 days a week. More advanced students should do no less than 30 minutes and often up to an hour or more. To make the most progress, individual practice time should be organised and should include goal setting, warm ups/ fundamentals, technical work, repertoire and ensemble music.
DRESS STANDARDS
The professional appearance of our performance groups is highly important. The standard dress for Music Ensembles is the College’s full school uniform including navy stockings for girls and blazers for Senior students. The Drumline wears a performance uniform including polo shirt and black pants.
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
Being a member of a music ensemble means being committed to the group for the full year. We recognise that each person in a group like this has an important role to play and as such, the whole group relies upon the 100% commitment of every individual. This is collaboration at its best. As such, students are asked to carefully consider their commitment to music groups as withdrawals are generally not accepted throughout the year. Missing rehearsals or performances is not acceptable without written notification from parents.
INSTRUMENT HIRE
Instruments for Year 4 and 5 are provided free of charge to students in our Instrumental program. Beyond this, parents need to source an instrument for their child. We can provide advice about purchasing instruments and can also organise instrument hire. Hire charges for 2017 are as follows: Band instruments: $250 String instruments: $200
STRINGS AND BAND PROGRAM
Students can begin their instrumental journey as part of Music curriculum. We believe in an all-inclusive program and aim to give everyone an opportunity to try playing an instrument. STRINGS Year 4 students can choose this option. The instruments available are violin, viola and cello. This program runs during Music curriculum time and students have a group lesson with our String Tutors. The College provides the instrument to the student for 2 years without charge and group lessons are provided free of charge. Students also attend string ensemble rehearsals. This option for Music study is a 3-year commitment throughout Years 4-6. It is important that students weigh up all the options before committing to this program. BAND Students in Year 5 either continue with their string instrument or begin their instrumental journey with a concert band instrument including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, bass guitar or percussion. The College provides the instrument to the student for one year without charge and group lessons are also provided free of charge. Student also attend Year 5 Band rehearsals during school time. This forms the basis of their Music curriculum lesson. Students in the band program are encouraged to continue on their instrument into Year 6. In Year 6, students are required to purchase or hire their own instrument. However, the College will continue to provide small group tutorials to students in the Strings and Band programs free of charge.