Instrumental Music Handbook

Transcription

1 Instrumental Music Handbook 2017

2 Introduction Welcome to Instrumental Music at Brisbane State High School. The Instrumental Music Program at State High is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the state. We have a long and cherished tradition of excellence in music education and offer students a unique range of musical and educational experiences. Past students who participated in Instrumental Music have transitioned into a vast array of pathways, with a richer and more comprehensive education as a result. Many of our school leaders, both current and past, have been strong contributors to the Instrumental Music Program. We are confident in the knowledge that no matter what skill level, students will be able to explore their musical potential, and find a rich and rewarding musical experience in the Brisbane State High Instrumental Music Program. Please read this document carefully as it contains all the information you need to get the most out of this diverse and stimulating program. Staff The Instrumental Music Program is staffed by seven specialist instrumental instructors. Six of the staff members are itinerant and only visit the school on particular days as part of a weekly circuit of schools. These staff members are provided to the school by Education Queensland. The amount of instructor time allocated to the school is dependent on student numbers, so it is vital that students attend all lessons. Mr Bradley Ruben is the Instrumental Music MiC (Master in Charge). The staff are: Mr Bill Barker Brass Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Mr Jeff Jarrott Percussion Monday and Tuesday Ms Tara Neal Woodwind Wednesday Ms Meg Robson Lower Strings Wednesday and Friday Mrs Robyn Rosewarne Woodwind Tuesday Mr Bradley Ruben Woodwind Monday to Friday Mr Keith Sharp Upper Strings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Lessons Students participating in the Instrumental Music Program are required to attend a 35 minute lesson once a week with the relevant instructor. Lessons are timetabled during the normal school day and students are withdrawn from classes to attend their lessons. The timetable for Instrumental Music lessons is a rotating one in order to minimise disruption to the ordinary school day. A student will only miss any given 35 minute block every six to eight weeks. Further, Instrumental Music lessons are only half the length of other school subjects, therefore, a student will never miss an entire lesson from the conventional timetable due to Instrumental Music. It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on the work they miss when attending a lesson. Students are expected to arrive at lessons punctually, appropriately prepared and with all the required equipment. Timetables Timetables for lessons and ensemble rehearsals are on the noticeboard in P Block. A hard copy is given to new Year 7 students. It is the students responsibility to check the noticeboard and attend lessons and rehearsals when required. Timetables will be ed to parents by the end of Week 2. Ensembles Brisbane State High School offers 10 primary ensembles and multiple secondary ensembles to enrich the Instrumental Music lessons. There are also multiple Chamber Orchestras that function as a lesson for advanced String students. The primary ensembles are: Symphony Orchestra Cordelia, Merivale, Southbank and River String Orchestras Symphonic Band Wind Orchestra Concert Band Wind Band Wind Ensemble 1

3 All students participating in Instrumental Music lessons must be a member of one of these ensembles. Attendance at rehearsals is compulsory and it is a year-long commitment. Students should check their rehearsal times at the beginning of the year to avoid clashes with other activities when planning their participation in various school activities. If a clash arises during the year, students must contact both MiCs to try and negotiate a compromise that suits all parties and maximises opportunities for participation. If a compromise cannot be negotiated, then the relevant Director of Sport and Director of Cultural Activities will work together to resolve the issue. The secondary ensembles are: Big Band Stage Band Percussion Ensemble Brass Ensemble Clarinet and Saxophone Ensembles Wind Quintets Students may be invited to join one of these ensembles as membership is not compulsory. A student may not participate in a secondary ensemble unless they also participate in a primary ensemble. DET policy mandates that membership in an ensemble is dependent both on attendance at lessons and also rehearsals. If either of these requirements is not met, a student may be withdrawn from lessons or the ensemble. See the Attendance section below for more information. Students in Year 11 and 12 who are receiving private tuition may apply to be a member of an ensemble without attending school lessons, however, preference for placement in ensembles will be given to students who attend school lessons. Furthermore, it is recommended that all students attend school lessons whether they receive private tuition or not. Placement of students in ensembles is at the discretion of the instructors and conductors of the various ensembles and is subject to a minimum performance standard. A variety of criteria is used to determine a student s ensemble placement. These may include auditions and results of students in intra-school examinations. The student s history of attendance and commitment will also be taken into account. Staff will not place students in more than two primary ensembles, however, students may apply to perform in more than two ensembles. Students are warned to exercise caution before applying to participate in more than two ensembles as the commitment is significant. Once all bands have finished their contest performances near the end of the school year, they will be disbanded and new ensembles formed for our younger musicians. String Orchestras will also continue in a new format. All Year 7, 8 and 9 Instrumental Music students are required to participate in these ensembles. Reporting All students will receive a written report each semester along with their general classroom reports. Grades and remarks on the reports will be a reflection of the student s performance throughout the semester in both their class and ensemble environments. Students may also be required to perform at a practical examination at the end of each semester which will also be reflected in the reporting process. If parents wish to discuss the content of reports, they may contact the instructor through the normal processes. Repertoire Selection The repertoire for the bands, orchestras and ensembles will be chosen by the relevant conductor. Instrument Hire and Storage It is expected that most students will supply their own musical instrument. Very large and expensive instruments are available for loan, for a small fee, for the length of the student s involvement in the program. Smaller instruments may also be borrowed from the school from time to time. These smaller instruments are usually loaned for one year only. After the year has passed, it is expected that students will purchase their own instruments in order to make the instrument available for another student to begin tuition. Any student using a school instrument must complete and return to a loan agreement form to staff before the instrument can leave the school. Students will be given a hard copy of this form at the Music Orientation in their first lesson. There is a storeroom available in P Block for students to store their instruments, however, students leave their instruments there at their own risk. Theft of or damage to instruments in the store is historically extremely low, however, the school recommends that parents and students insure their instrument privately. 2

4 In addition, students are strongly encouraged to individualise and clearly name their instrument case to assist with identification in a crowded storeroom. This individualisation will also minimise the chances of the case being mistakenly collected by another student. Fees All students participating in Instrumental Music are expected to pay the annual Instrumental Music Participation Fee of $85. This fee is used to pay district levies and to provide resources and equipment for use in lessons and ensembles. The fee also covers the cost of administering the program. Levies are calculated according to the Management of Levies policy: nt-of-levies.pdf Students who use a school instrument are required to pay an Instrument Hire Fee of $100 per annum. This fee is used for the maintenance and replacement of the school instruments. Attendance Policies Student attendance in Instrumental Music lessons is tracked through a swipe card monitoring system. All students enrolled in Instrumental Music are expected to attend lessons and rehearsals on a weekly basis. If a student is unable to attend a lesson due to assessment, they should first see their Instrumental Music teacher and attempt to organise an alternative time. If a student misses a rehearsal, he/she must tell the conductor beforehand or alternatively, parents must inform the teacher in writing of the student s absence. Parents will be contacted by after a student misses three rehearsals or lessons without sufficient explanation. Any student who misses rehearsals or lessons without sufficient explanation may be withdrawn from the ensemble or lessons. Students enrolled under the Cultural Selective Entry (Music) category must participate in the Instrumental Music Program for the length of their enrolment at the school. Performance Policy Attendance at performances is compulsory for all musicians. A calendar of performances is published at the beginning of each year and students are expected to keep these dates free. Performances for all groups are planned through the Instrumental Music MiC. These include contest and concert performances, and a variety of other performances within and outside the school community. If a student is unable to attend a performance, the conductor must be notified in writing by parents prior to the performance. Unexplained absence from performances may be grounds for withdrawal from the program. If unforseen circumstances prevent attendance at a performance and the conductor is not notified beforehand, the conductor must be informed at the earliest opportunity. Senior Ensembles carry the heaviest performance load and may perform approximately 10 times per year within and outside the school. Intermediate Ensembles also perform within and outside the school, but have fewer performance obligations. Uniform Requirements With the exception of the Symphony Orchestra and the Symphonic Band, students perform in their formal school uniform. Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band Boys: Long grey pants with white shirt and school tie. Girls: School uniform blouse with tie and performance skirt. Other Ensembles Boys: Long or short pants with white shirt and school tie. Girls: School uniform. Exit Policy Instrumental Music is a year-long commitment. At the end of a school year, if a student is not going to continue in the program, parents should notify the Instrumental Music MiC via . Again, students enrolled under the Cultural Selective Entry (Music) category must participate in the program for the length of their enrolment at the school. If a student is forced to withdraw during the year then parents must contact the Director of Cultural Activities. 3

5 Consumables Parents are responsible for the provision of consumable items such as reeds, strings, oils and music books. It is important that students arrive at lessons and rehearsals properly equipped. Few consumables are supplied or stocked by the school and most must be purchased by families, from retailers. Handmade Bassoon and Oboe reeds are available for purchase from the school due to the poor quality of the factory made products. Students pay for the reed at the Student Services Counter at B Block and bring the receipt to the Instrumental Music MiC in P Block. Music folders in the school colours, music badges and music stickers are available to purchase at school through the Student Services Counter at B Block. It is strongly recommended that students purchase a folder to store music safely. Parent and Community Engagement There is an active sub-committee of the P&C dedicated to Instrumental Music. This group, for interested parents, meets in the P Block meeting room at 7.00pm on the second Monday of each month during school terms. The group organises catering, raffles and admission for in-school concerts. They also organise the annual Music and International Food Festival as their major fundraising event for the year. The sub-committee is committed to enhancing the opportunities and equipment for Instrumental Music students and supporting the work of the Instrumental Music staff. In the past, the group has purchased big ticket musical instruments, funded workshops with professional musicians and conductors and coordinated fundraising for musical trips. For further information, please contact: Chairperson, Robyn Sutton, by robynrjs@optusnet.com.au Music Camp Senior musicians in the Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Cordelia String Orchestra and the Wind Orchestra will be invited to participate in an annual, residential, School Music Camp and junior musicians in the Wind Ensemble, Wind Band, Concert Band, River, Southbank and Merivale String Orchestras will be invited to attend a Junior Music Camp. Both camps involve intensive rehearsals designed to extend our musicians and improve the performance standard of these groups. It is recommended that all musicians who participate in the above groups attend Music Camp. Pockets Students may be eligible to receive a Pocket (a line describing participation which is embroidered on a blazer) for participation in school ensembles. In order to receive a Pocket, students must attend 75% of rehearsals throughout the year. Attendance is not the only criterion and students must demonstrate appropriate levels of preparation, cooperation and application throughout the year. Students must have paid their Instrumental Music levy to receive a Pocket. Pockets are awarded according to the school s Pocket Policy. Specific details are available through the following link: Communication Parents may contact Instrumental Music staff by telephone or . Staff will communicate with parents via and letters sent home. Relevant documents, along with details of performances and events, are also published on the Instrumental Music page within the Extra-Curricular section of the school website - Parents may communicate directly with the Extra-Curricular Support Officer or the Instrumental Music MiC if clarification about the program is needed: Extra-Curricular Support Officer: Mr Alex Kucharski - akuch11@eq.edu.au MiC Instrumental Music: Mr Bradley Ruben - brube1@eq.edu.au 4

6 Contacts and Dealing with Concerns Parents can raise a concern with any member of our staff. Where possible, speak directly to the person with whom you have the concern. If it is a lesson issue, speak with the Instrumental Music teacher. Contact details for all Instrumental Music staff are available on the school website. To make an appointment to see a teacher, please contact the school office by phone on or by admin@brisbaneshs.eq.edu.au In the first instance, any concerns regarding the Instrumental Music Program should be directed to the Instrumental Music MiC: Mr Bradley Ruben on or by - brube1@eq.edu.au Where issues may be of a more sensitive or serious nature, the following staff members can be contacted where relevant: Director of Cultural Activities Ms Laura Craig lcrai29@eq.edu.au Head of Extra-Curricular (Ensembles) Ms Jo Duffy jduff19@eq.edu.au Head of The Arts (Instrumental Music lessons) Ms Aimee Gust agust6@eq.edu.au Guidance Officer (Junior School) Mr Michael Graves mgrav1@eq.edu.au Guidance Officer (Senior School) Ms Karla Shaw kshaw59@eq.edu.au Head of Junior School Mrs Kim Dorr kdorr2@eq.edu.au Head of Senior School Mr Matthew McCarthy mmcca47@eq.edu.au We look forward to having your child participate in the 2017 Instrumental Music Program. Best wishes Jo Duffy Head of Extra-Curricular Wade Haynes Executive Principal 5