Music Bulletin

Term 1 Performances – Save the date

The music department presents a variety of concerts and performances each year and we look forward to having parents/carers, family and friends join us. Our main concert venue is the RJ Phipps Performance Centre but we also utilise online delivery via Youtube to increase access for both performers and audience. Detailed information will be available closer to the date of each event in the weekly Bulletin.

Please take note of the following Term 1 concert dates:

• Junior Lunchtime Concert Live@1:10pm via Youtube – Wednesday 27 March
• Junior Lunchtime Concert Live@1:00pm via Youtube – Thursday 28 March
• Kindy/Year 1 Choir Concert – 2:00pm Tuesday 9 April, RJ Phipps Performance Centre
• Year 12 Soiree – 7:00pm Tuesday 9 April, RJ Phipps Performance Centre
• Hills Grammar’s production of ‘Freaky Friday’ – evening performances on Thursday 4 April, Friday 5 April and Saturday 1 April at 7:30pm and a matinee performance on Saturday 1 April at 2:30pm in the RJ Phipps Performance Centre. Tickets available soon.

More details regarding these events will be forthcoming in the Bulletin during Term 1.

Music - Private Tuition

Individual private music lessons for continuing students will commence from Monday 5 February. Tutors will be in contact with parents/carers to organise the first lesson. Parents/carers of continuing students are asked to review the 2024 Private Music Tuition Information Sheet on the General Information page, especially with regards to scheduling of lessons and attendance.

For new students, music tutors will contact parents/carers during Weeks 1 and 2, also to organise the first lesson. For new enrolments, your patience is sincerely appreciated as our tutors take individual requests into consideration prior to the commencement of lessons. This process can take a while, depending on the make-up of each studio. For further information, Mr James Denton, the Music Assistant, will be in the music office Tuesday-Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm and can be contacted on 9654 5159 or music@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 2024 will be set at $53.00 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. Please see the General Information page for more information.

Music Co-Curricular Ensembles – Rehearsals Week 2

The start of year is a great time to make Music a choice for co-curricular activities. We look forward to seeing many new faces in our ensembles over the coming weeks.

Thank you to those parents/carers who have already registered via email for their son/daughter. If you requested a reply or confirmation email, please be patient whilst we focus on rehearsal preparations over the coming weeks.

For further information, Mr Denton, our Music Assistant, can be contacted via the Music Department email music@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au or phone 9654 5159 (Tue-Fri during term). Students can also come to the music office or see their class music teacher. Details of ensembles can be found in the ‘out-of-hours’ co-curricular handbook that has been distributed recently by Mrs Huber, the Co-Curricular Programs Assistant as well as the Music page on the General Information Page.

Rehearsal Readiness

Please take note of the following important Rehearsal Readiness protocols:

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 | Familiarity with rehearsal room positioning, organisation and procedures

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.

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 with Mrs Naira Yusufova, Cello with Ms Rivga Kim or Double Bass with Mr Matt Ling as part of our instrumental 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.

Violin, Viola and Cello 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

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 to music@hillsgrammar.nsw.edu.au and we will endeavour to make the next newsletter.