Secondary Music

Commitment to SCEGGS Co-Curricular Music

Participation in co-curricular music activities has many benefits for social and emotional wellbeing. Participation is a choice and with that choice, a high level of commitment to both rehearsals and performances is expected. Relationships, musicianship, and teamwork can only be developed when members of the ensemble are committed to rehearsals and performances. We expect a full commitment to all co-curricular music activities at SCEGGS. Students should be respectful of the impact that any absence has on their ensemble: their peers, their conductor, and the reputation of the school.

Students are expected to be fully committed and attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances.

All absences must be communicated to the Music Department using the following guidelines:

• Parents and guardians are to request written permission for leave from Ms Jones, Head of Music Co-Curricular (Primary & Secondary parents) at least two weeks in advance of a performance if they are unable to attend.
• If a student is sick on a performance day, a parent/guardian must email or message the Music Department (Administrator or Ensemble Director) or Head of Music Co-Curricular, explaining the absence as soon as possible.
• If a student is unable to attend a rehearsal, the student, or their parent, is to notify the relevant Ensemble Conductor or Ensemble Director.  
• In case of a clash with school co-curricular activities e.g. Sports Trials, Duke of Ed Hike, the student is to liaise with both Co-ordinators to negotiate an acceptable outcome.

Failure to adhere to the above guidelines in the secondary school will result in:

• A detention for any unexplained absences from a performance.
• A penalty point for any unexplained absence from rehearsal.
• A penalty point for late arrival to more than two rehearsals or performances in the same term.
• A student being ineligible for House points and recognition on school reports if their attendance is deemed unsatisfactory.

Music Department Contacts

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Clarion Concert Band & Holst Wind Ensemble perform at the Australian Schools Band and Orchestra Festival

Last Sunday was a fantastic day for our school’s music program, as both the Holst and Clarion Wind Bands performed at the Australian Schools Band and Orchestra Festival. We are thrilled to announce that both bands received a gold award, the highest honour within their section.

The dedication and hard work of our students truly shone through in their performances. Their concentration, musicality, and artistry were key factors in achieving this outstanding result.

We are deeply grateful for the support of our parent community, whose encouragement played a vital role in this success.

Special thanks to Mr Michael Tierney, Ms Alison Ryan and Miss Elenarose Plaister.

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival

Strings (Contemporary Strings) – Sunday 28 July

Several SCEGGS ensembles have been enrolled to perform at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival this year. The Festival is a non-competitive event and rather than being ranked, all ensembles received a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating which reflects their level of achievement for the particular event level in which they have performed. All events are adjudicated by professional musicians and music educators. ASBOF is a wonderful opportunity for our SCEGGS ensembles to perform on stage, to hear ensembles from other schools and to receive inspirational advice and performance tips from the adjudicators.

More information can be found here.

Further details can be found in this note.

ASBOF Events 

Musicale 3 at the Festival on Forbes

This year’s Musicale 3 will be held at the Festival on Forbes, on Sunday 25 August.

Every Primary and Secondary Music Ensemble will play during the day on one of three separate stages. A timetable will be circulated early next term so you can plan your day. We can’t wait to entertain the SCEGGS community.

Please be aware that the date in the school diary is incorrect. There will be no Musicale on Thursday 1 August.

The Cat Empire

Please note that The Cat Empire has added a second SCEGGS’ performance to our schedule meaning we will now be performing on both Friday September 5 and Saturday September 6 at the Sydney Opera House.  Please note that both of these concerts are now listed as sold out so I encourage parents to keep a look out for further ticket releases closer to the performance dates. Friday’s performance is with our full The Cat Empire Choir of 53 singers and Saturday’s performance is with a smaller chamber choir of 29 of our most senior singers.  Our first rehearsal as The Cat Empire Choir will be on Tuesday July 23 (Staff day) from 12.30 – 2.30pm in the Lecture Theatre – attendance is very important.

AMEB

Congratulations to the following students who have completed AMEB Exams this semester.

Clipboard

All co-curricular music ensemble schedules are now available on Clipboard. If you haven’t set this up yet, please follow these instructions.

If you are having any issues with Clipboard set-up, please contact our Music Administration Assistant, Miss Alice Kotowicz.

Beyond the Green Gate

We are always happy to hear about the ways our secondary musicians are involved in music-making outside the school. Please send the details to Heidi Jones.

Date for Your Diary

Term 2

Term 3

Year 8 – 10 Elective Music students are encouraged to attend one of the Year 11 or 12 Concerts in Term 3.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)