Instrumental Music Program
Education Queensland offers an Instrumental Music Program in our school. Tuition is provided in Strings, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion instruments.
The aims of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to learn a musical instrument; to provide the opportunity for students to develop their musical abilities while learning concentration, discipline, social skills (and sometimes leadership) and responsibility as members of a band or orchestra; and to provide an enriching dimension to enhance the existing classroom curriculum.
Selection of New Instrumental Students - unfortunately, due to the high demand on the limited resources available to the school, not all students who may wish to participate in this program can be accommodated. The selection procedure aims to ensure balance in the various ensembles. Selection of new Instrumental Program participants occurs in Terms 3 and 4. To maintain a cohesive group, students are not generally started at other times during the year or at other year levels, except under special circumstances.
Under Education Queensland's Policy, children who have taken up the offer of a place in the Strings Program cannot be offered a place in the Brass, Woodwind and Percussion Program. Therefore, should a child be particularly keen to play a concert band instrument, but be offered a place in the String Program in Year 3, you may choose to forego entry into the Strings Program to give them the chance of an offer into the Concert Band Program starting in Year 4 (please note whilst there is a good chance that the student will be subsequently offered a place in the Band Program there is no guarantee).
The following procedure is followed:
- Assessment by the Music Specialist including continuous monitoring and evaluation of the student's musical ability and performance in classroom music lessons; completion of an aural test; discussion with Classroom Teachers and Principal.
- Expression of interest given to first round of eligible students.
- Instrumental Program Orientation / Information Night (held in Term 4).
- Assessment by Instrumental Teachers of the child's physical suitability for his/her desired instrument.
- The first round of offers is compiled and letters sent to parents.
- Parents and children accept or decline the offer of participation in the Instrumental Music Program and a contract of commitment is signed by the student and parents.
- If places are still available a second round of offers is conducted on the same basis.
- Payment of the Instrumental Hire Fee (if applicable) and the applicable Instrumental Music Student Resource Scheme fee is required to confirm the student's place in the program.
Choral Music Program
The school choral program provides children with the opportunity to develop their choral skills, under the discipline and guidance of the Music Specialist. Choir students are given the opportunity to perform at outside community events, as well as within the school program. Students are also prepared for competition in Eisteddfods throughout the year. All choirs are required to practice either before school or during the lunch hour.
Magnificent Minors - this group caters for students in Prep to Year 2. Prep students may join by invitation from Term 1 and by default from Term 3.
Junior Choir - Students in Years 3 and 4.
Senior Choir - Students in Years 5 and 6.
Payment of the Choral Music Student Resource Scheme fee is required to confirm the student's place in the program.