Music

Term 1 Performances – Save the Date 

The Music Department will present concerts in Term 1 as ‘Live@’ via Zoom or ‘On-site’ with an audience, and sometimes both. In Week 9, Junior Lunchtime Concerts will be held on Wednesday 30 March and Thursday 31 March at 1:15pm. We invite Kindergarten to Year 6 students to perform at these concerts by contacting the music officemusic@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au to reserve a place. The Term 1 Year 12 Concert will also be held during Week 9, on Tuesday 29 March at 7:00pm and the Year 10 Performance Evening the following week, on Tuesday 5 April. More details to come soon, including confirmation of the mode of presentation (‘Live@’ and/or ‘On-Site’) closer to the date. As a taster of what is to come, here is a link to our final 2021 Year 7 Virtual Concert – please enjoy.

Music - Private Tuition

Our music tutors have commenced lessons for Term 1 and are making contact with parents/carers to organise lesson times. For new enrolments, your patience is sincerely appreciated as we request our tutors to make direct contact with parents/carers to introduce themselves prior to the commencement of lessons. This process can take a while, depending on the make-up of each studio. For further information, Mrs Sandy Thompson, the Music Assistant, will be in the music office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm and can be contacted on 9654 5159 ormusic@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

Tutors will be issuing Music Lesson Record Books on a needs basis. A charge of $8.80 will be added to the school account accordingly. A reminder that private tuition fees for 2022 will be set at $49.50 per lesson.

To enrol in music private tuition lessons, new students should come to the music office for information, at which time parents/carers will be sent an email with a link to the online enrolment system. Lessons may commence at any time of the year.

Music Co-curricular Ensembles – Band, Choir, Strings…..

The start of year is a great time to make Music a choice for co-curricular activities and we look forward to seeing many new faces in our ensembles over the coming weeks. As we transition back into a regular rehearsal routine, during Weeks 1-4, ensemble rehearsals will recommence with details communicated directly via email to students and/or parents/carers. Please watch out for more information in the weekly Bulletin as details become available. Some of our groups have not rehearsed since the end of Term 2, last year, and our tutors have yet to return, which must also be taken into account. For those that can’t wait, here is a link to some of our 2021 virtual and in-progress performances – 2021 Ensembles.

Mrs Thompson, our Music Assistant, is the best contact for the co-curricular music program via the Music Department emailmusic@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au or via phone 9654 5159 (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri). Students can also come to the music office or see their class music teacher for more information. Details of ensembles can be found in the ‘out-of-hours’ co-curricular handbook that has been distributed by the Director of Co-Curricular, Mr Sidaros and Mrs Godfrey, the Co-Curricular Programs Assistant. Click here for direct access to the Music Co-curricular page on our website.

Rehearsal Readiness – COVID-19

As we transition into a regular rehearsal pattern for our music ensembles, please take note of the following important Rehearsal Readiness protocols:

Onsite practices

• Adherence to Hills Grammar 2022 COVID-19 Protocols | Click here (considerations listed below provide additional advice to/clarification of school guidelines)

Ventilation

• Where possible, doors and/or windows of rehearsal venues and studios to be kept open during rehearsals and lessons. Air-conditioning to be used to assist with air flow.

Physical distancing

• Ensemble rehearsals to be held in stage or year groups to avoid mixing cohorts
• Familiarity with rehearsal room positioning, organisation and procedures
• No mixing of year groups/cohorts for private individual or paired lessons

Masks

• Removal of masks indoors is permitted for the playing of woodwind and brass instruments (as well as where it interferes with the playing of other instruments) however masks should be worn immediately before and after playing.

Hygiene

• Availability of hand sanitiser for supervised use by staff/students.
• Instruments and equipment - Cases to be regularly cleaned, with care taken around high-touch handles and straps prior to being brought to school. Instruments to be regularly cleaned in an appropriate way, as needed.

Visitors – Pick up/Drop off

• Parents/carers may assist children to deliver and pickup instruments for music rehearsals and private tuition lessons.
• Parents/carers must not linger or congregate in or around the music department. Please drop off and return to your vehicle, even if for the duration of the rehearsal or lesson.

Achievements

Students who undertake music examinations or are involved in performances and competitions outside of school are invited to advise the music department of their achievements so these can be acknowledged in the school newsletter. Please email details tomusic@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au and we will endeavour to make the next newsletter.

Year 3 Viola/Cello/Double Bass Program

The Music Department offers an opportunity for a limited number of students in each Year Three class to learn viola, cello or double bass as part of the string program. Students attend a small group lesson each Friday during their normal class music time for one semester. The cost of lessons and the provision of the instrument is covered by the curriculum levy.

Viola/Cello/Double Bass students are invited to join the Sinfoni co-curricular ensemble on Friday mornings at 8:00am with Ms Menzies. There is also an expectation that students will be able to commit to a regular practice routine.

Parents/Carers are asked to contact the music department as soon as possible regarding expressions of interest in this program for Semester 1 or Semester 2 –music@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au

Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra (ARCO)

The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, co-directed by Racheal Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen, will commence their 2022 season here at Hills Grammar on Sunday 20 March at 4:00pm in the RJ Phipps Performance Centre. Northern Serenades will feature a world premiere arrangement of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73. For tickets to this outstanding concert, please visit Eventbrite or www.arco.org.au