Loreto Toorak Music Program

Music Program

“ I chose to learn the cello to engage and inspire me throughout my learning journey. I was proud and excited to perform an opening solo at the Annual Music Concert.

Angela, Year 8

WHY LEARN Music?

“As students progress in their study of Music, they learn to value and appreciate the power of music to transform the heart, soul, mind and spirit of the individual.

Music exists distinctively in every culture and is a basic expression of human experience.

Students’ active participation in music fosters understanding of other times, places, cultures and contexts. Through continuous and sequential music learning, students listen to, compose and perform with increasing depth and complexity.

Music has the capacity to engage, inspire and enrich all students, exciting the imagination and encouraging students to reach their creative and expressive potential.

Source: www.victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au

At Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, as students progress in their study of music, they learn to value and appreciate the power of music to transform the heart, soul, mind and spirit of the individual. In this way, students develop an aesthetic appreciation and enjoyment of music.

• Music develops and improves a range of motor skills, body

awareness and coordination

• Music leads to a sense of achievement, an increase in selfesteem, confidence and selfdiscipline

• Music provides a means of selfexpression

• Music contributes to the development of literacy skills

• Music has a positive impact on childrens’ intellectual development

• Music promotes friendship, teamplay and a wide range of personal skills

RATHFARNHAM Instrumental Program

The Instrumental Programs at Rathfarnham offer students a progressive exploration of musical skills. From their first experience of a violin through Suzuki Strings, to a woodwind instrument in the Year 2 Recorder Program, to participating in a 90-piece band at the completion of the Year 5 Band Program, the life lessons and skills learnt in these Programs are significant. Undoubtedly, such skills will be carried by students throughout their education.

Central to each Program’s success is independent practice. Family involvement in supporting and facilitating this at home is paramount to success.

Year 2 Recorder Program

Year 2 students participate in learning the recorder over 10 weeks in Terms 1 and 2 within Classroom Music. Supported by the classroom Music teacher and specialist Recorder teacher, students learn the basics of playing the recorder, reading music and playing as a class ensemble.

Final Lesson Concert

Family members and special friends are warmly invited to the final lesson of the Program where 10 weeks of growth and hard work are showcased and celebrated. This event takes place in Term 2. At the completion of the Program, students are invited to continue learning the Recorder in instrumental lessons.

RATHFARNHAM Instrumental Program

Year 3 Strings and Class Ensembles Programs

The Year 3 String Program in Semester 1 offers an introduction to Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass. Students participate in a 50-minute group lesson per week with a specialist string teacher, complimented by one period of Classroom music. Students are invited to continue learning their instrument in Semester 2. This Program could be where your child begins their orchestral career, as a stepping stone to various groups and orchestras within the school.

The Year 3 Class Ensemble Program runs throughout Semester 2, and focusses on building ensemble skills including listening, reading, communication and teamwork.

End of Program Concerts

The Year 3 Program Concerts are an important part of the year. These take place at the end of Term 2 and Term 4.

YEAR 4 Percussion Program

The Year 4 Percussion Program is a 10-week Program in Term 2. As part of classroom music and with the classroom music teacher, a specialist percussion teacher takes a 30-minute lesson each week.

The aim of this program is to expose students to a wide range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Through group participation on a variety of instruments, students will:

• Develop “crossing the midline” coordination skills

• Learn and play a broader range of rhythms

• Develop mallet keyboard abilities and connect with understanding of pitch

Final Lesson Concert

Family members and special friends are invited to the final lesson of the program, an engaging and fun event which highlights the skills learnt throughout the term. At the completion of the Program, students can continue to learn Percussion in instrumental lessons.

Many of our students in the Year 4 Percussion Program continue with the instrument throughout their education, culminating in performances in the Annual Music Concert.

“ There are lots of concerts and recitals and I am excited to perform for my family so they can see how much I have improved. Playing music with my friends makes me feel happy.

Charlotte, Year 4

YEAR 5 Band Program

All Year 5 students participate in the Year 5 Band Program which runs for the year. Each week, students have an instrumental lesson, band rehearsal and Classroom music session. Instrumental lessons are in small groups with an experienced brass, woodwind or percussion teacher. The instruments offered in this program are: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Percussion.

Students hire their instruments free of charge.

Program Concerts

In Term 2, families and friends are warmly invited to attend the Winter Year 5 Band Program Concert, highlighting the musical growth of one semester. In Term 4, students participate in the Victorian School Music Festival, an amazing opportunity to work with experienced band conductors.

Year 5 and beyond

Students will be invited to continue learning their Band instrument in Year 6, in instrumental lessons. This could be where your child’s band and orchestral journey starts.

RATHFARNHAM Classroom Music

Classroom Music at Rathfarnham provides rich learning experiences and draws from the Kodaly methodology, supporting the development of music literacy for students throughout their schooling lives. A deep connection and admiration for music and its importance is fostered and celebrated.

Throughout Music at Rathfarnham, the following concepts are introduced, practised and transferred across multi-disciplines:

• Steady beat keeping and rhythm, using rhythmic time names

• Pitch recognition and use of solfege and hand signs

• Inner hearing and memory development

• Form and structure

• Reading and writing stick and stave notation

Loreto Sings and Loreto Voices Choral programs

At the essence of music at Rathfarnham and in our faith as a Catholic school is singing. The Choral Programs at Rathfarnham explicitly teach technique, choral skills and liturgical repertoire to all Rathfarnham students. The Choral programs take place for 50-minutes

per cycle in the following session groups:

• Loreto Sings: Preparatory–Year 2

• Loreto Voices: Years 3 and 4

• Loreto Voices: Year 5

• Loreto Voices: Year 6

In addition to the musical benefits, there are numerous studies that support the positive impact singing has on wellbeing. Studies show children involved in singing programs develop a strong sense of community and social inclusion (2014), a higher sense of wellbeing and meaningful connection (2016) and a lowering of the stress hormone, cortisol (2017).

SENIOR SCHOOL Music Program

Year 7

Classroom music is offered to all Year 7 students as part of the core curriculum. This ensures every Year 7 student has the opportunity to study classroom music for one semester during the year.

The engaging and dynamic curriculum allows students with prior experience to be challenged and supports the development of skills in the classroom for students that are new to the study of music.

This is achieved through the usage of Kodaly and Orff inspired units which focus on “learning by doing”. The allows the development of music literacy, aural skills and understanding of different contexts for music relative to time and place.

Years 8 – 10

Students can elect to study music

Year 8 – 10 across a range of elective subjects.

Along with developing Music Literacy Skills, students:

• Compose

• Perform

• Listen and Analyse

Music subjects can taken as standalone electives or can be used as excellent preparation for VCE Music Course.

VCE Music

VCE Music is offered across Units 1, 2, 3 and 4.

At Loreto Toorak, the focus is on VCE Music Repertoire Performance for Units 3 and 4. The other Unit 3 and 4 Streams of Inquiry, Contemporary Performance and Music Composition can be offered.

“ The level of support from the music teaching staff is incredible! I know that they want me to succeed, and throughout my VCE Music units, they cheer and guide and instruct so that I am well-prepared for examinations.

Chloe, Year 11

SENIOR SCHOOL Classroom Program

“With music, one’s whole future life is brightened. This is such a treasure in life that it helps us over many troubles and difficulties. Music is nourishment, a comforting elixir. Music multiplies all that is beautiful and of value in life.

Student learning in the classroom can be supported by our outstanding team of instrumental teachers and accompanists on their chosen instrument. Conversely, students may wish to continue tuition on their instrument of choice with their external instrumental teacher.

Minimum levels of proficiency are suggested for the study of music at this level. The classroom music team and the Director of Music will assist students in subject selection should this be an option for them at the Senior years.

Zoltan Kodaly

Instrumental Music Tuition

There are numerous benefits to learning an instrument. From the musical skill development in lessons through independent and ensemble practice, to the academic and socio-emotional benefits, learning instrument is strongly encouraged at Loreto Toorak. Students are able to choose to learn from numerous instruments.

Theory/Musicianship Tuition

Group Theory lessons are offered up to AMEB Grade 6.

Instrument Hire

Most instruments are available for hire from the school.

SENIOR SCHOOL Music Program

Year 7 Instrumental Music Program

The Year 7 Instrumental Music Program (IMP) is offered to students who joined the School in Year 6, or at the beginning of Year 7. These students have the opportunity to learn an instrument from the list below free of charge in Semester 1. All classes are group instrumental lessons of two to three students led by a specialist instrumental teacher. The Year 7 IMP is for beginner students only.

• Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon

• Brass: French horn, Trumpet, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba

• Strings: Violoncello, Double Bass, Electric Bass Guitar, Harp

• Percussion

• Harpsichord Instruments and Material

• Students hire their instrument free of charge for the semester

• Students are expected to handle their instrument with care and bring to every lesson

• Students may be asked to purchase sheet music

Year 7 and Beyond

After establishing the foundations

of their new instruments, students are encouraged to continue learning their instrument in Semester 2. Students will join their relevant ensemble such as Concert Band or St Cecilia’s String Ensemble.

The Ensemble Program

The Loreto Toorak Music Ensemble Program is a source of pride within the School with many opportunities available for students to engage with the learning of music in an authentic and stimulating environment. With more than 30 ensembles rehearsing during the week, there is something for every student at every level. These are a mixture of open entry and auditioned groups which function across both Rathfarnham and Senior School.

This Ensemble Program includes:

• Bands (Concert and Stage Bands)

• Contemporary composition and Performance groups.

• String Groups

• Loreto Symphony Orchestra

• Many Choral groups of various levels

• Chamber Groups including specialist instrumental groups

• Suzuki String group

SENIOR SCHOOL Performance Opportunities

There are many and varied opportunities for students to perform as both soloists or as part of an ensemble throughout the year, in what is a busy schedule that where musk is integrated into every aspect of life at Loreto Toorak. This includes:

• Annual Music Concert

• Showcase Concert

• Oak Parlour Recitals

• Rathfarnham Recitals

• Music Camp

• Tours (national/international)

• Support of Liturgy

• Regular participation in the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF)

• Performances at Generations in Jazz

• Vocal workshops and performances at Jazz Lab

• Performances in competitions and Eisteddfods

• Regular informal performance opportunities at lunchtimes

• Involvement in productions and musicals.

Students are often asked to participate in workshops with our outstanding Music staff. We are also fortunate to have guest artists of the highest levels visit Loreto Toorak to work alongside and inspire our musicians.