News

There are many opportunities for students to be involved in music at Tenison Woods College, I invite all students and families to look at the opportunities available and consider what may suit them.

Instrumental lessons
Each week many students come out of class for half an hour lessons to learn an instrument from one of our many instrumental teachers. Research shows that learning an instrument impacts positively on many aspects of students' learning and well-being. An Application to Learn an Instrument and Instrument Hire Form were sent home earlier this term and are available here. If you would like your student to learn an instrument, please complete this form and return it to school and we will try to place your student with one of our teachers. If your student is planning to continue learning an instrument from 2017 you must also complete the form in order to ensure your place.

Tenison Woods College also has an extensive ensemble program that continues to grow with the following Ensembles available for students to participate in during 2017;

ENSEMBLES:

Junior Choir
A hugely popular voluntary choir for students in Years 1-3. A fantastic introduction to the fun that music can be as a group. A ‘come and try’ session is held in Week 3.

Primary Choir
An exciting choir available for Year 4-5 students. Performing a mixture of contemporary and well known tunes, this choir performs regularly and also competes in local vocal competitions.  A ‘come and try’ session is held in Week 3.

Music Connection (Year 6/7 Choir)
This was a new choir in 2014 and these students attend the second music camp, work with MJ Dance Director, Maria Slape with choreography and compete locally in vocal competitions. A ‘come and try’ session is held in Week 3.

Year 5 Bands
As part of our instrument immersion program each Year 5 student studies either trumpet, trombone, clarinet or flute as part of their music curriculum. They study in small groups then each class also has a band lesson each week to learn the skills of playing as an ensemble and watching a conductor.

Year 6 Band
Students that have progressed through the Year 5 band program or through the instrumental program come together to work as an ensemble. This ensemble gives students the opportunity to continue in a band without needing to stay after school for rehearsals as they rehearse once a week from 1.00pm - 1.45pm.

Year 7 Band
Due to the growth in the Year 6/7 Band last year, we have split this ensemble into two groups. Students that have progressed through the Year 6 Band or through the instrumental program come together to work as an ensemble. This ensemble gives students the opportunity to continue in a band without needing to stay after school for rehearsals as they rehearse once a week from 1.00pm - 1.45pm.

Concert Band
A very popular ensemble containing flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass and percussion. This ensemble perform a mixture of classical and contemporary songs. 

Woodwind Ensemble
An outlet for woodwind players (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, french horn, alto saxophone) to experience mostly classical repertoire. Members learn to blend and balance in an ensemble. Skill level is intermediate and up. 

Musical Futures Band
Grown out of our inaugural Musical Futures Year 7 program in 2014, this ensemble allows students to continue in their bands, working and performing on contemporary music in a ‘rock’ ensemble.

Guitar Ensemble
Once students become comfortable reading music they may be invited to join this ensemble. Playing a variety of music with guitars and bass, this ensemble is always popular with audiences.

Saxophone Quartet
This is an ensemble for intermediate level saxophone players with an emphasis on musical accuracy and ensemble work while playing more difficult repertoire. Genres played are classical, modern and jazz.

Brass Ensemble
Created for brass students, this ensemble performs more classical, choral and marching styles of brass music as it allows brass players to learn the balance of their instrument alongside others from the same musical family.

Big Band
Playing a mixture of jazz and funk charts this ensemble competes in the `Generations in Jazz' Festival. This ensemble comprises of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass and drums.

Concert Choir
This ensemble is a hard working group of Year 8-12 students, both males and females. In 2016 this ensemble competed for the first time in the ‘Generations in Jazz’ Festival.

THUNDER Drum Corps 
One of our most popular ensembles, the Thunder Drum Corps was established in 2008. Comprising of snare drums, trio drums, bass drums and cymbals, our drum and other instrumental students love to be involved in this ensemble.

STORM Drum Corps
Due to the increase in interest from students to participate in drum corps in 2013 we developed a second drum corps. Students in this ensemble do not have to be learning drums, the rhythm reading they learn in music class can provide enough basis for this ensemble.

Senior Vocal Ensemble
This high-level ensemble will compete in the Division 3 section of the Generations in Jazz competition and comprises senior vocal students. This choir performs in 3 and 4 part harmony.

How to join
Students that are interested in joining one of the Ensembles (except for Junior Choir, Primary Choir and Music Connection as they have ‘Come and Try’ sessions) need to come and see Mrs Creedy. A rehearsal schedule is included in this newsletter. Students will be notified when Ensemble rehearsals will begin.

Friends Of Music
The ‘Friends of Music’ committee is a vibrant group of local community members and parents of Tenison Woods College students who meet once a month and assist with fundraising performances, special events and anything that can assist or encourage the music students in the school. 

New members are very welcome, please contact our Chairperson, Kathleen Finney, on kafflight@hotmail.com.au or 0418 840 586 or myself at creee@tenison.catholic.edu.au for further information.

Our first meeting for 2017 will be held in music room 917 on Wednesday 1 March, all welcome.

Music Scholarships
With the success of winning the NAB Schools First award in 2013, we are using some of our winnings to invest back for students that may have difficulty affording instrumental/vocal lessons. A limited number of full/half scholarships are available, Application Forms are available from the Front Office and the Music Office, or here.

Beth Creedy
Head of Music