Amadeus 2024

About Amadeus

Sydney Catholic Schools’ (SCS) Amadeus Music Education Program is the biggest and most ambitious investment in music education ever undertaken in Sydney schools. It is a comprehensive, high-quality Year 3 to Year 8 music program that is being introduced across all SCS schools and taught by qualified music specialists.

The Amadeus Music Education Program has three essential elements:

Classroom Music

Mr Jhed Dela Cruz and Mrs Lisa Müller have been teaching both composition and theory skills during normal classroom music lessons. During this time, learning and assessment task planning takes place. During the term we have been focussing on the Concepts of Music and preparing students to be able to compose their own musical soundscape (like a radio play).

Small Group Tuition

Students, in groups of five to eight, spend 30 minutes per fortnight learning to play a string, woodwind or brass instrument with their specialised tutor. This occurs every Week B.

Ensemble Rehearsal

Students play their instrument in an ensemble (String Orchestra or Concert Band) for one hour per fortnight. This occurs every Week A.

The program is holistic and sees students engaged in listening, composition in addition to rehearsals and performance.

Amadeus at Marist College Eastwood

The Amadeus Program is now well underway at Marist College Eastwood. Year 7 students have been given the opportunity to explore and learn about various musical instruments, providing them with a wonderful way to foster their musical talents and interests.

Year 7 have had their instruments rolled out over Term 1 and have chosen either a string (violin/viola/cello), woodwind (flute/clarinet/saxophone) or brass (trumpet/ trombone/baritone) instrument to learn.

The focus so far has been on fundamental skills such as caring for instruments, assembling and disassembling them, how to correctly hold instruments, and responding to conductor cues, lays a solid foundation for their musical journey. Additionally, learning basic notes and melodic patterns sets the stage for further musical development.

The differentiated tutorial groups are great to cater to the varying abilities and interests of the students, allowing each individual to progress and excel in their chosen instrument.

Performing a set piece for their Music Assessment Task in Term 3 will be an exciting opportunity for the students to showcase their progress and talents. It will also serve as a motivating goal for them to work towards throughout the program.

We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our wonderful Amadeus staff:

Ms Bronte Ellis – cello
Ms Catherine Lukin – violin
Ms Christine Young – clarinet and saxophone
Ms Fezo Rantos – flute
Mr Luke Craig – violin
Mr Oscar Sweeney – trumpet, trombone and baritone

Overall, the Amadeus Program is providing a rich and supportive environment for musical learning and growth, and it’s exciting to anticipate the progress and achievements of the Year 7 students in the coming terms.