Information Brochure 2017 Phone: 55319922 Email: jan.kinkead@tss.qld.edu.au
Forward An education in music is invaluable in the development of the whole person. The benefits are enormous and wide spread, covering all areas of cognitive, spacial, creative and emotional development. The Music School at TSS offers a wide range of pursuits from learning an instrument (in solo or small group situations), voice, theoretical and compositional endeavours, speech and drama and effective communication. As well, opportunity exists for students to participate in ensembles. The faculty of the Music School includes some of the most professional and expert musicians in Queensland, enabling an educational experience second to none. Over TSS s century long history, the Music School has produced distinguished musicians who have established themselves on the professional concert stage, in orchestras, in institutions of higher learning and throughout the arts world. Maintaining its role at TSS as an innovator and leader in music education, the Music School remains committed to offering a caring and stimulating environment in which students are encouraged to reach their full musical potential. Page 1
Music and Speech & Drama Staff DIRECTOR OF MUSIC... Mr Robert Cooke, BMus, GradDipEd PREP MUSIC MASTER... Ms Trisha F Matthias, BMus (SchMus) Hons ACADEMIC STAFF... Mr Mitchell Buckley, BMusSts, GradDipEd, AMusA ACADEMIC STAFF... Mr Patrick Emery, BMus, GradDipEd ACADEMIC STAFF... Miss Rachael Fennell, BA, BEd (Maternity Leave) ACADEMIC STAFF... Ms Jenni Streten, BMus, GradDipEd, AMusA DEPARTMENT SECRETARY... Ms Jan Kinkead, AMusA Music and Speech Staff MR C BARAC, BMus... Percussion MRS D BATTACCHIO, DipMus QCM... Strings MS S BUDINSKA, MMus (Prague)... Piano, Theory MR N BURRELL, BMus... Woodwind MR S DAVEY... Percussion MR N DONNELLY, BMus QCM, GradDipMus QCM, ProfDipPArts HK, DipPerf NMK... Woodwind MRS E FISH, BMus, MMusThpy... Voice MR P FOLEY, BMus... Lower Brass MR J GARCIA... Guitar MR G GREEN, BMus... Percussion MR P JACK... Strings MR B LEADER, BMusEd, AMusA... Guitar MRS N McALISTER, BMus, AMusA... Woodwind MRS L MASON, BMusEd, AMusA... Strings MISS J RALPH, BEd (Dist) BMus, GradDipMus, LMusA, AMusA... Strings MRS M RODRIGUES... Piano MS S SANDS, BMus Performance... Piano MS K SKELTON, LTCL, ATCL... Speech & Drama MR N STEFAN... Strings MS C WARD, ATCL, DipScreen&Media... Speech & Drama Page 2
Speech and Drama The Speech and Drama area of the Music Department offers: (a) (b) (c) DRAMA AND SPEECH COMMUNICATION SKILLS CORRECTIVE SPEECH Speech and Drama Includes Drama and Speech, Performing Text and Acting. This subject is performance orientated and offers assessment in speech, spoken interpretation and dramatic performance. Examinations with Trinity College London are recommended. Communication Skills Focuses on life skills which include the ability to speak in public, interact with other people and express ideas in work and leisure situations. Skills to enhance expressive utterance in both informative and persuasive language are an integral part of this course. Examinations with Trinity College London are recommended. Corrective Speech Correction of speech sounds is the purpose of this subject. Assistance is also given with reading difficulties. Students with English as a Second Language (ESL) will benefit from this course. In all subjects voice production and articulation are essential. Tutoring is also available for debating, drama, reading in Chapel and other performance activities. Students wishing to study Drama and Speech OR Effective Communication at Grade 5 level or above MUST enrol in either 30 minute OR 60 minute private lessons. At this level, group lessons are not appropriate. Page 3
Music The School s aim is to foster and develop an interest in music through: 1. MUSIC IN THE CLASSROOM 2. INDIVIDUAL TUITION 3. INSTRUMENTAL AND CHORAL GROUPS, viz - (i) Choirs (ii) Bands (iii) Orchestras (iv) Chamber Groups and Ensembles (v) Other groups that may be formed from time to time Music in the Classroom The Preparatory School In Preschool to Year 6 music literacy is developed through singing, listening, movement and creating music. The program is developmental and students experience a wide variety of activities, both vocal and instrumental. The Secondary School Students in Years 7 and 8 study music in an intensive study mode where three lessons per week are taught for four weeks in each semester, in a 12 week cycle. Students study basic musicianship through musicology, composition and performance. In Years 9 to 12 there is an elective music course that covers musical performance, composition and musicology. Students work with the latest music software in a computer keyboard lab. Instrumental / Vocal Music Lessons are available in both the Preparatory and Secondary Schools in the following subjects: Page 4
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Electric Bass, Classical, Contemporary Guitar Styles & Jazz Guitar, Singing, Piano, Pipe Organ, Percussion & Drums and Music Theory. Please note: In Prep, lessons in speech and drama are only offered from year 3. Lessons in guitar and ukulele are offered from year 2. Year 2 Strings Program The Year 2 Strings Program forms a compulsory part of the Year 2 curriculum. During this time, boys will have group lessons during school time on the violin, viola, cello or double bass. Term 2 will see the formation of a Year 2 Orchestra named Paganini Strings, which will practice in the school time that is allotted to the program. Year 4 Instrumental Program is a compulsory part of the Year 4 curriculum. It is at this age that boys are physically able to handle the demands of a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. All boys who are not learning a strings instrument will undertake a suitability test to discover the instrument they are most suited to. The instruments will be allocated according to the results of this test and are loaned to the boys for the duration of Year 4. From Term 2, boys participate in the Year 4 Concert Band, which rehearses during the school day. At the conclusion of Term 3, boys either elect to continue or discontinue playing their instrument in the Year 4 Program. Boys who choose to discontinue will form part of the Year 4 Vocal Ensemble. NOTE: Introductory tuition in Year 4 does not apply to GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, PIANO or SPEECH. Boys who wish to study these areas, as well as their band/orchestral instrument may do so, however, the cost of the tuition will be on a private (or small group in the case of speech) lesson basis. Making music is a collaborative process and requires interaction with others. Therefore, as boys become more proficient, they will be expected to become members of the school music groups. Music Record Book It is compulsory for every music student to purchase the TSS Music Record Book. This will be supplied to the student and charged to your account. If the book is lost, a Page 5
new TSS music record book will need to be purchased. Scholarships HJ King Music Scholarships are offered annually for students from Year 4 onwards. This scholarship is for boys who excel on an instrument or voice. It offers part remission of academic fees. An Information Sheet and Application Form is available online or from the Admissions Office or Senior Music Department. Recording Exam Results on Senior Certificates (Music and Speech) TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON AND AMEB: Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has announced that candidates who sit for particular grades in Years 10 to12 are eligible to have those subjects recorded on their Senior Certificates. For more information on this, please contact the Music Department. Fees Fees for music tuition are billed per semester (15 lessons) and are paid in advance at the beginning of each semester. A minimum enrolment of 1 term is required Private lessons (½ Hour)... $36.85 per lesson ($552.75) Long Private Lessons (1 hour)... $72.60 per lesson ($1,089.00) Group of 2 (2 boys sharing a ½ hour lesson)... $24.50 per lesson ($367.50) Music Record Book... $10.00 School Instrument Hire Surcharge:... $330.00 per annum Please Note: Group 2 lessons are only for beginners in the Prep School, i.e. Students with less than twelve (12) months tuition. These lessons are only available in the first year of learning the instrument if there is another student of equal standard also Page 6
requesting group tuition. Speech and Drama Group lessons in the senior school. These lessons are available for students in years 7 to 12, dependent upon the type of speech lessons requiring more than 1 student for exam purposes. This will be decided by the teacher. PLEASE NOTE: It is school policy that parents/guardians will not be allowed to enroll their son(s) in discretionary (extra/co- curricular including sporting, cultural, music tuition, excursions, trips and tours) school activities unless the agreed school fees have been paid. Lesson Times Lesson times will take place during school hours. Students in Years 11 and 12 in the Senior School and Year 6 in the Prep School have preference for the out-of-hours times, depending on teacher availability. It is advised that students only undertake a maximum of two lessons a week in school hours. Punctuality Punctuality is important to the successful operation of the instrumental/speech tuition program. Students who are habitually late, or frequently miss lessons, for frivolous reasons may be removed from the program. Notice of Inability to Attend a Lesson If the student is absent from school FOR ANY REASON (illness, family reasons, school excursions, etc.) the parent must give 24 hours notice to the instrumental/speech teacher personally or the Music/Speech Department or in the case of illness, prior to the commencement of the school day. If this is not done, the lesson will be charged and not made up. It must be understood that no allowance can be made for single lessons missed through forgetfulness. Provided prior notification of the absence is given, teachers will attempt to make up lessons missed through school excursions, where possible. Page 7
Lessons missed through the absence of a teacher will be made up or credited at the end of each semester. In the event of the Music/Speech lesson clashing with a school exam, excursion, or camp, it is the student s responsibility to inform the teacher prior to the event so that an alternative lesson time can be arranged. NOTE: Boys who fail to attend lessons, without appropriate notice, are considered to be missing school periods and will be disciplined accordingly. These lessons will be charged for, with no obligation on the part of the teacher to make up the lesson. For prolonged illnesses special arrangements must be made with the Director of Music. No lessons can be arranged until the Director of Music has the signed Music/ Speech Application Form to hand. Termination of Lessons It should be clearly understood by all parents and students that initial enrolment for instrumental or speech lessons is a minimum of one term. Withdrawal of a student from lessons during the term will not attract a refund or part refund of that term s fees. If lessons are to be discontinued at any time, the School requires NOTICE IN WRITING (using a CHANGE OF ENROLMENT form) to be forwarded to the MUSIC OFFICE from the parent or guardian. FOUR (4) WEEKS NOTICE is required. However, the deadline for cancellation each term is prior to the commencement of the following term. Change of Enrolment forms are available from either the Preparatory or Senior Music Departments or from the TSS Music website. Please note verbal advice to the teacher or phone call cannot be accepted. If this notice in writing is not received in due time, then four weeks fees will be payable. This requirement does not apply, of course, in cases where parents have been advised by the Director of Music to discontinue lessons. Page 8
Boarders Practice A supervisor is especially employed by the Music Department for this purpose and students must report to the supervisor before beginning their practice. Students who take music lessons through the school will be given preference to rooms and practice times. Practice times are from 6.15pm 8.15pm Tuesday to Thursday. Rogers House boarders are encouraged to attend regular practice at 6.15pm. Examinations It is recommended that for your son to maintain suitable progress in his music studies, an examination be undertaken yearly with either Trinity Guildhall or AMEB. Students sitting music exams are responsible for their own entry fees and accompanist fees. Music and Speech Awards Music and Speech Award requirements available on the school website.. Hire of Instruments It is expected that the majority of students will purchase or hire an instrument after the introductory tuition. The Music Department has a number of instruments available for hire to beginners (Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses, Oboes, Bassoons, French Horns, Tubas & Euphoniums). Once School instruments are hired, they become the responsibility of the boy and his parents. They are supplied in good order and any damage (beyond normal wear and tear) must be made good. After one year of hire, students are expected to purchase their own instruments. PLEASE DIRECT ALL ENQUIRIES TO THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC OR MUSIC SECRE- TARY (contact details on front of Brochure) Page 9
Instrumental Enrolment Form Before your son can commence music/speech lessons, this enrolment form must be returned to the Music Department Office. Phone: 5531 9922, Email jan.kinkead@tss.qld.edu.au Student Surname: Given Name: Date of Birth: Year in School (e.g. 9): House/Class: Year to Start (if not already at TSS): Parent/Guardian s Name: Address: Postcode: Telephone Work: Mobile: Student Mobile: Student Email: Parent Email: Instrument: Speech: 60mins 30mins Group (conditions as per brochure) 60mins 30mins Group (Prep Only) circle lesson type circle lesson type If the student has any previous experience in the field for which he is enrolling, briefly state what this is (include formal tuition and participation in any related activities, public exams passed etc.): Please enrol my/our son for music/speech lessons. I/We have read and understood the Music and Speech Brochure and agree to the terms and conditions contained therein. I/We acknowledge the School policy that our son/s will not be allowed to enrol in discretionary (extra/cocurricular including sporting, cultural, music tuition, excursions, trips & tours) school activities unless the agreed school fees have been paid. I/We also agree that our son will regularly attend rehearsals and performances of at least one musical performance group as recommended by his instrumental/speech teacher. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Office Use Only