Teaching staff
Music: Mrs Dorene Carter, Mrs Katie Simmons, Mrs Fiona Allen-Ankins
Strings: Penny Williams
Woodwind: Helen Lowe
Brass: Robyn Forshaw
Percussion: Helen Lowe
Stage Band: Robyn Rosewarne
Overview
For most people, music is an integral part of life. We believe all students can derive considerable fulfilment and enjoyment from music education – not only those who show a particular talent. The skills and concepts students acquire, as a result of their music education should be of benefit to them not only in their schooling but also in the years beyond formal education.
Sunnybank Hills has a recognised Music Program of excellence. We have music lessons for all year levels. Commencing with Prep through to Year 6. All classes attend a 30 minute session with our music specialist teachers. We include both Kodaly and Orff teaching methodology in our lessons. This classroom music program aims to equip each child with skills and understandings which will help him/her to appreciate music and to participate in music making. Children are involved in a wide variety of activities from singing games and the playing of instruments to composing and performing. Students in years 4 to 6 are expected to have Yamaha recorders and books at every lesson. This work is continued and supplemented by the classroom teachers.
Choral program
Currently we have four choir groups:
Senior choir (years 5 and 6)
Junior choir (years 3 and 4)
Boys choir (years 4 to 6)
Year 2 Choir
Children are welcome to participate in our Choral Program. The commitment is to attend all rehearsals and performances throughout the year. During the year each group performs for school functions, music festivals, Fanfare and our Choral Evening in September.
Instrumental program recruitment
Recruitment for the strings program occurs in year 2 going into year 3, and for other instruments in year 3 going into year 4.
Students are assessed according to:
Instruments offered in year 3 are: violin, viola, cello and double bass. Our loan instruments for the strings program are double bass and cellos. Parents provide all other instruments.
Instruments offered in year 4 include: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion.
We are able to loan some instruments in the first year. The larger expensive instruments (french horn, baritone, euphonium, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tuba, tenor saxophone) are on loan for the duration of the student’s learning. These expensive instruments are lent for the duration of the child’s primary education. In all other cases children are expected to purchase or hire their own instrument after one year.
Information afternoon
During fourth term all music staff invite parents of children who are entering our program to an information afternoon. At this evening we outline the expectations, the running of the program and the costs of the program.
Yearly contribution
Each year parents are asked to contribute the following money to assist with the expense of running the program. Children who have school instruments on loan are asked to contribute $150 and those with their own are asked to contribute $50. This money covers the purchase of music, entry to competitions as well as instrumental repairs and cleaning "servicing for our new students". In addition the P&C also contributes approximately $5000 towards the purchase of additional instruments or resources.
Lessons
Students attend one lesson per week. Rehearsals are usually before school and are compulsory for those in the program.
Practice
Students in this program are expected to practice 5x30 minutes every week. This is vital to a successful experience in learning a given instrument. Practice is monitored by teachers with a practice sheet which we ask parents to monitor and sign. As students are taught in a group of approximately 7 it is important that they work together as a team and are up-to-date with the practise set by the teacher.
Attendance
It is compulsory for each student to attend timetabled lessons, instrumental group rehearsals and all performances. If a student is absent (illness, appointment, travel) it is very important that the family communicate the reason for absence via email or phone call. If a student continues to be absent without explanation, parents will be contacted and that student may be withdrawn from the program.