Instrumental Music Program 2018
Welcome to Music at Nossal High School Music is a vibrant and thriving part of the Nossal High School community. Accommodating an extensive music program across all year levels, our students are supported by the music faculty in three main streams. These are private instrumental tuition (conducted by some of the countries most respected musicians and educators), a rich and diverse ensemble program, and a comprehensive academic stream that prepares students for VCE and further studies. Having now been a part of the Nossal family for several years, I feel exceedingly proud of the remarkably cultured music department we have successfully designed here at Nossal High School. Not only is it a place of creativity, high quality musical performance and academia, but it is an encouraging environment that is enjoyed by all our students, whether casual or regular visitors. We encourage all of our students (and the wider community) to become involved in our program, whether through performance or composition, academic excellence, camaraderie or just for fun! I look forward to seeing you at our next concert! James Mustafa Director of Music james.mustafa@nossalhs.vic.edu.au 2
Philosophy: Our music program is exceptional and is designed to make a significantly positive impact on all students who choose to partake. We aim to expose students to the many benefits of participating in a vibrant, energetic and practical music education experience. It is internationally recognised that participation in music education assists students to develop the ability to think critically, analytically and creatively, to problem solve and encourages students to be self-motivated and self-disciplined. The Music Program enables socialisation with students in other year levels, and develops confidence in presenting and performing to their peers, to the whole school, and to the wider community. Students involved in the music program create quality music and make long term friendships Your child s level of success at learning an instrument depends very much upon how diligently he/she practises, and on how much support they are given at home. It ought to be remembered that not every musician can become a concert performer or a professional musician, but every musician can develop the expertise to be involved in music making as a leisure time pursuit. Instrumental Tuition Program: Nossal High School is fortunate to be able to offer private music tuition to all of our students, on a variety of instruments, all conducted by some of the best musicians and music educators in Australia. We currently offer the following instrumental lessons. Additional and specialist instruments are available on individual request (pipes, sitar, Cuban percussion, etc) Woodwind Brass Strings Other Band Flute French Horn Violin Piano (classical) Voice (pop/jazz/ contemporary) Oboe Trumpet Viola Voice (classical) Piano (pop/jazz/ contemporary) Clarinet Trombone Violoncello Percussion Guitar Saxophone Euphonium Contrabass (classical) Composition / songwriting Bassoon Tuba Contrabass (jazz) Music Theory / Conducting Bass Guitar Drum Kit Lesson Schedule: Students lessons are scheduled on a rotating timetable and are usually on the same day, but not the same time each week. This means that students rarely miss the same class. The only time a student should miss the same class more than once is in an 11-week term (Term 2 & 3 in 2018). Parents have access to their student s music timetable via Compass and are encouraged to help students organise themselves so they have their instrument at school on the correct day. It is the student s responsibility to know when their lesson is, have their instrument with them on the appropriate day, and to arrive at their lesson on time. 3
Attendance: 24 hours notice of an expected absence is required. This is possible by emailing the music teacher, Director of Music (James Mustafa) or by leaving a message on the School Attendance phone line. Unexpected absences are managed on an individual basis. Requests for absence from ensemble rehearsals and performances must be made in writing by parents/guardians to the Director of Music. Attendance at all ensemble rehearsals and lessons is absolutely necessary for your child s progress to be satisfying and rewarding. It is the student s responsibility to attend all lessons at the scheduled time/ day. The instrumental teachers will do their best to locate students if they have forgotten by sending them an email. However, if the student does not attend their lesson, and 24hours notice has not been given, the lesson will be forfeited, and it will not be made up at a later date, exceptions to this will be for unexpected illness. Continued unexplained absence from ensemble rehearsals will result in your child s instrumental lessons being suspended until ensemble attendance is resumed. The Director of Music will be in touch with parents in this situation. If your child will be absent from school (due to illness, camps, and excursions) and you have let the instrumental teacher know, the missed lesson will be made up at a later date. Parents and students can easily communicate with the instrumental teachers using Compass. Lesson Equipment: Your child will require certain equipment throughout the year and is expected to come to all lessons prepared. Basic equipment may include: Musical Instrument Music books as requested by their teacher (Nossal actively discourages the illegal photocopying of music) School diary to record practice instructions Instrument Specific items. For Example: Spare reeds, guitar leads, strings, rosin, valve oil etc Musical Instrument Hire: In 2018, Nossal will be offering the hire of Musical Instruments to enrolled music students. The following instruments are currently available for hire: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass and various guitars/bass guitars. Hire of instruments will be for the full school year, and will allow students exclusive use of the instrument as well as the option to take the instrument home during the week, weekends and holiday periods. It is important to remember that the school only has a limited number of each instrument and priority will go to year 9 students. If there are insufficient instruments available, the music department will help advise parents on the best local hire options. Instrument Hire Fee: $200.00 (for the school year can be paid via payment plan) Security Deposit (Annual Bond): $100.00 (refunded at the end of the school year/return of instrument) Concerts & Performance Opportunities: In 2018, the Nossal Music Program will present several exceptional music concerts. This will range from our cool Jazz & Blues night, to our more formal Winter Classical Concerts. These events are held in our Meath Auditorium during Terms 2, 3 and 4. Tickets should be purchased in advance to avoid disappointment. Not every ensemble gets the opportunity to perform at each event, but each group will receive at least 3 significant performance opportunities across the year. Additionally, a number of our groups will receive the opportunity to perform at various competitions or special school functions. This will be detailed to the students at the beginning of 2018. 4
Ensemble Program Structure: The Nossal High School instrumental music focus is an Ensemble-based program. All students are required to attend weekly scheduled rehearsals of a school based ensemble. These are directed by our superb team of instrumental music staff, who are all expert ensemble directors, conductors and educators. Rehearsals are rarely, if ever, cancelled and it is expected they will commence in the second week of the school year, and re-commence in the first week of each term. Each ensemble will receive multiple performance opportunities throughout the year, including at various school music concerts, soirees and galas. Select ensembles will also compete at the esteemed Generations in Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia, the Royal South Street Eisteddfod, Ballarat and at the Victorian Schools Music Festival. Participation in an ensemble allows students to enrol in instrumental tuition at a discounted rate compared to that recommended by the Victorian Music Teachers Association and as charged by most private tutors. Music Ensemble Program: Big Band: The Big Band was formed in 2015 and is the most senior jazz ensemble at the school. The group is an auditioned only ensemble and competes annually at the prestigious Generations In Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Repertoire includes a diversity of big band material across swing, latin, funk as well as a number of brand new compositions that have been especially commissioned for the ensemble. The Big Band performs at a number of functions across the school including school concerts, special events and at Speech Night. Wind Symphony: The Wind Symphony (Concert Band) was formed in 2015 and is the primary performing ensemble for woodwind, brass and percussion students at the school. The group performs yearly at the Victorian School Music Festival. The repertoire covers traditional, contemporary and popular classic concert band music. The Wind Symphony also performs at school concerts, special events and at Speech Night. 5
Guitar Ensemble Program: At Nossal, we co-ordinate a very diverse and successful guitar ensemble program. Each year, all the students are auditioned in their lessons and sorted into the appropriate levelled group. Our most senior ensemble The Hendrix Guitar Ensemble is for the most advanced students, playing contemporary, jazz, and classical material. The Nossal Guitar Orchestra is designed for beginner to intermediate guitarists. Its focus is on basic chords, building necessary guitar techniques, reading music and having fun. Both ensembles perform regularly at school events and concerts. Choir: The Nossal Choir began in the school s first year of operation. We rehearse once a week after school and perform regularly during the year. Choir has participated in Singfest many times and has competed in Eisteddfods. Our repertoire is varied and open to all students in the Nossal community. String Orchestra: The String Orchestra is our most senior string based ensemble and has been running since the commencement of Nossal High School. The group have performed and won competitions at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat and at the Melbourne School Bands Festival. The ensemble has particularly focused on traditional classical repertoire but also regularly includes contemporary compositions within its program. World Keyboard Orchestra: The World Keyboard Orchestra is a brand-new ensemble designed to expose students to the different worlds of contemporary art music. This ensemble is based on the Orff Schulwerk approach, and encourages students to explore harmony, improvisation and varieties of creative playing. A highly academic ensemble, this group is designed for students with keyboard or percussion training, or who are interested in furthering their understanding of contemporary musics. Swing Band: Following the success and popularity of the growing jazz component of the music department, the Swing Band was formed as a junior option of the Nossal Big Band. The Swing Band is auditioned and attends the prestigious Generations In Jazz Festival in Mount Gambier, South Australia. This ensemble focuses on the basic principles of jazz music including time, groove and playing swing. 6
Jazz Combo: The Jazz Combo was formed in 2017 as an outlet for students who are interested in pursuing jazz and improvisation. The ensemble learns to improvise and navigate improvised music without the aid of sheet music. This group is open to all students, instruments and levels, and is often called upon for various school presentations and functions. Chamber Strings: Chamber Strings provides a platform for those who have little or no ensemble experience. This ensemble embraces the uniquely beautiful sound of the string family and focuses on working together as a team to achieve a musical goal. Chamber Strings plays regularly throughout the year at Nossal events enabling students to learn important performance skills with and without a conductor. The repertoire explores multiple styles ranging from classical to contemporary, each with a focus on a unified sound. Flute Ensemble: The Flute Ensemble was formed in 2016. It performs a wide variety of music written for 4 or more flutes. It performs at school concerts and special events and it is planned for this group to also perform at eisteddfods in 2018. Clarinet Choir: The Clarinet Choir is the newest of the ensembles at the school having been formed in late 2017. It performs a wide range of music written for 4 or more clarinets. This ensemble currently performs at school concerts and special events and it is planned for the group to also perform at eisteddfods in 2018. Percussion Ensemble: The Nossal Percussion Ensemble has been running for over 5 years and it s repertoire ranges from traditional African, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian, to more contemporary percussion pieces. Students learn a range of skills such as accompaniment, arrangement, improvisation, and call and response. Students also acquire a range of percussion instrument techniques including the conga, the guiro, xylophone, timpani, and the cajon to name but a few. 7
Music Staff: James Mustafa: Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Improvisation, Composition, Double Bass Besides being the Director of Music at Nossal High School, James Mustafa is a well-recognised Australian composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist. He is the founder and leader of the Melbourne Composers Big Band, Artistic Director of the Melbourne Big Band Festival, the Orchestral Manager and Principal Choral Conductor of Sing Australia and is the composer/bandleader of the James Mustafa Jazz Orchestra. He has studied at the Generations In Jazz Academy, Adelaide University School of Music and at the Sir Zelman School of Music at Monash University - under educators including Paul Grabowsky, Graeme Lyall, James Morrison, Maria Schneider and Vince Mendoza. As a composer, he has worked with some of the world s finest including the Metropole Orchestra, Vince Jones, the Birdland Big Band, Kate Ceberano, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the One O Clock Lab Band. Playing highlights include performances with Kandace Springs, the Idea Of North, Joe Camilleri, Invenio, George Garzone, Gerald Clayton and more. Kein Jenkin: Drums Kein Jenkin has been performing and teaching as a percussionist for over 15 years and completing his Bachelor of Music Performance in Jazz Improvisation with Honours at Monash University. During his time as an educator Kein s students have completed the VCE music curriculum (some achieving grades within the top 5% of the state), been granted music scholarships, gained entry into tertiary and university music courses through performance auditions, performed in TOP ACTS and been awarded music scholarships and other accolades. Kein also holds theory, performance and percussion workshops at a number of secondary and tertiary institutions around the state, as well as performing regularly around the country and overseas in a wide variety of concert situations. He believes that learning music is one of the best paths to social, physical and mental growth, and that skills learnt from music can be widely applied to all areas of life. 8
Lauren Jennings: Violoncello Cellist Lauren Jennings, completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Melbourne. Her love of music was influenced at an early age from her first teacher, Timothy Archbold. Lauren has been actively involved in the Australian Youth Orchestra, Lyric Opera, Melbourne Opera, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic and Melbourne Youth Orchestra. She is also a passionate chamber musician and in 2016 travelled to Texas as a member of Curve Quartet to participate in the Mimir Chamber Music Festival. In 2017, Lauren performed as a soloist and chamber musician at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts Cello Festival. In her spare time she enjoys playing basketball and watching the footy. Eric Jiang: Piano, Theory Eric specializes in classical piano performance. He is a fully accredited member of the Victorian Music Teachers Association. With fifteen years of teaching experience, Eric offers classes for Piano, Theory, Music Craft, Musicianship and Aural Training in AMEB, ABRSM, Trinity and VCE syllabus. Eric s students have been awarded Music scholarships at some of Melbourne s top private schools. These include Melbourne Grammar School, Brighton Grammar, and Haileybury. All of Eric s students have achieved Honours (A) grades and above in both practical and theory AMEB examinations to date. His students have also been prize-winners in several major Music Eisteddfods around Victoria this year. (South Eastern Arts Festival, Waverly Music Eisteddfod, Boroondara Eisteddfod, West Gippsland Music & Drama Eisteddofd, The Geelong Eisteddfod, Bendigo Competitions Society and Eisteddfod by the Bay). Eric creates an enjoyable and effective learning atmosphere for students across all levels. Gerard Mapstone: Guitar, Bass Guitar Tapping into the past and present of the flamenco world Gerard Mapstone is among the most evocative and dynamic guitarists touring Australia today. Recently completing a Masters degree his practice led research focused on contemporary flamenco guitar structures and innovations, contributing to his thesis on 21st Century flamenco. Gerard is currently part of the post graduate research community at the Melbourne University and is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Melbourne University VCA & MCM. www.gerardmapstone.com.au In education Gerard is a leader in classical and flamenco guitar pedagogy. With 18 years experience as a teacher he has lectured on behalf of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Melbourne Conservatorium, Bonyi International Youth Festival, QUT Creative Industries and the Australian Folk Federation creating numerous syllabus for beginner to advanced players. Nicholas McCusker: Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe Nick is currently teaching saxophone and clarinet at Nossal High School. Having been playing saxophone and clarinet for more than half his life, Nick has always been heavily involved in music. A graduate with a Monash Music Performance Bachelors Degree with Honours, Nick performs regularly around Melbourne with several bands, as well as running his own bands, Mingus Thingus and the Nick McCusker Quintet. Nick s passion for teaching led him to commence a Masters of Teaching, as well as working for a variety of educational institutions. Now at Nossal, Nick is excited to be working with our talented students and contributing to the expanding music program at Nossal High School! 9
Arun Patterson: Violin, Viola Arun Patterson began his musical studies at the age of four with the Suzuki method. He studied music at the University of Melbourne graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) also completing a Graduate Certificate in orchestral studies from the University of Tasmania. He then began a Masters of Music (Performance) but has since deferred in order to expand his career as a freelance musician and teacher. Whilst completing his Bachelor s Arun served as concertmaster of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Hopkins Sinfonia, University of Melbourne Baroque Ensemble and Melbourne City Opera as well as being awarded the Atheneum Violin for gifted second year. He has since enjoyed a career domestically and internationally as an orchestral musician, chamber musician and concertmaster. Recent highlights include Concertmaster duties of a month-long tour of China with the opera La Traviata ; being a founding member of Melbourne Baroque Orchestra and featuring in the Peninsula Music Festival as part of his string quartet Unwound. Aside from the classical canon, Arun has a keen interest in early music, often performing on authentic replicas of period instruments as well as presenting early music masterclasses and working as a guest tutor at various schools. Tatiana Vega: Voice Tatiana Vega is the voice teacher as Nossal HS. She strives to extend students vocally and personally by encouraging students in the full experience of singing and performing. Tatiana teaches classical, contemporary/jazz and musical theatre including VCE voice. She conducts the Nossal Choir and assists with the school musical production. Her challenge to students - Take a risk and get involved! Nancy Waddington: Flute Nancy Waddington joined Nossal in 2016, teaching woodwind. She began taking the Concert Band at the beginning of 2017 and was employed as the classroom Music and VCE Music teacher later that year. She is passionate about the role of music in schools and the community especially the role that ensembles can play in students lives. 10
Fees & Charges: The Instrumental Music Program is a user pays extra-curricular enrolment at Nossal High School. Tuition fees covers payment to the instrumental music staff. Students are expected to attend all excursions related to their ensembles (such as camps, festival performances, competitions and tours) and there will be additional individual charges for these events. Ensemble Participation & 32 Instrumental Lessons Ensemble Participation Only 30 min - Individual lesson $995.00 or $195.00 deposit plus 10 payments of $80.00 $125 per year 45 min - Individual lesson $1492.00 or $292.00 deposit plus 10 payments of $120.00 1hr - Individual lesson $1990.00 or $290.00 deposit plus 10 payments of $170 This is paid by students who wish to be involved in our ensemble program at Nossal High School but who are not involved in the Instrumental Tuition program. Cancellation: In order to ensure we are able to retain the services of exemplary music teachers, staff planning for 2018 commences in Term 4, 2017 and is based on school year enrolments. As a result, it is expected that students will make a commitment for a full year s tuition. Please be aware that withdrawal from classes impacts on the employment contracts of the music teachers. If circumstances arise that a student is considering withdrawal from the program all attempts will be made to resolve any issues to ensure they are able to continue their music lessons until the end of the year. In the event that issues cannot be resolved A FULL TERM S NOTICE (min 10 weeks) is required in writing from the parents to terminate lessons. Parental Involvement: Parental involvement is always encouraged and most appreciated. We believe an involved and communicative relationship with the Music Department and parents is vital to a healthy, productive and successful music program. You can support your child (and their teacher) by being involved in the practice routine, providing performance opportunities at home and by attending and assisting at school performances. You will help your child by simply being interested in what they re working on and asking them to play something for you from time to time. You do not need to know anything about music to encourage them in this way. Please assist your child s progress in this program by ensuring they take their instrument to school on their lesson and ensemble days. Contact: We look forward to your participation in the Nossal High School Instrumental Music Program. Questions regarding the program, its content, teaching and management, charges, payments or administrative arrangements, should be made to the Director of Music, Mr. James Mustafa at james.mustafa@nossalhs.vic.edu.au or on 8762 4602. 11
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