Music Matters
Margot Anthony (Budd) “Beyond the Curriculum” Award
The applications for the Margot Anthony (Budd) “Beyond the Curriculum Award” are now open.
There are two awards given each year to Elective Music students from Years 8 to 11. Students need to demonstrate a developing musical interest in an area outside of their classroom studies. They also need to have a record of music tuition and successful examination results in at least one instrument or voice.
To apply, students can access the information and application form here.
Applications must be submitted to the Head of School by Monday 1 March 2021.
2021 Organ Scholarship Applications
Calling on expression of interest from students who would like to apply for the 2021 Organ Scholarship. The scholarship application is open to any student who is currently learning the piano (of approximately 5th Grade standard) and have a desire to learn the organ. Further information and a copy of the application form can be accessed here.
Applications must be submitted to the Head of Music by Friday 26 February 2021.
If you require further information about the above applications, please contact the Head of Music.
SCEGGS Eisteddfod – Application now open!
Forms are available here or from Music tutors and Music class teachers, or from the Music Staffroom and Primary Music Room.
Applications due Friday 26 February.
- The SCEGGS Music Eisteddfod is a competition open to all musicians currently taking private lessons, inside or outside of school.
- Entry into the Eisteddfod is FREE.
- All Elective Music students are preparing for participation.
Practice-a-thon
In preparation for the upcoming SCEGGS Eisteddfod the Music Department will be holding a practice-a-thon in Weeks 2-6.
Practice Trackers will be available from music tutors and classroom music teachers. Use the tracker to monitor your daily practice. We are aiming to see how long our best practice streak is. Earn a Bronze award for a 7-day streak, a Silver award for a 14 day streak, a Gold award for a 21 day streak and a Platinum award for a 28+ day streak. Practice awards will be distributed along with your Eisteddfod award.
If you require further information or have any information about the Eisteddfod, please contact the Music Department.
Music Mentoring Program
Little girls love big girls and the philosophy “you can’t BE what you can’t SEE” resonates strongly in the education of young women. This term, Mrs Sweeney has approached some secondary students to assist in primary string ensembles rehearsals. Peta Gilbert (Year 12) helped the Primary Cello Ensemble, Sophia Barry (Year 8) had fun with String Power and Jedda Thorley (Class of 2020) assisted the violinists in Amati Strings at rehearsal this week. Music is a lifelong pursuit and with the help of these wonderful role models, our younger musicians will be inspired to keep practising and improving even when things get hard – as they inevitably do, when playing a musical instrument!
Primary Music Lessons
Year 5
Last week Year 5 each wrote some short prose about the earth and sustainability. The inspiration was a song called “I am dreaming…”
The students then combined their words in small groups and created soundscapes to augment the textural meaning. Some chose to sing, play melodic instruments and use percussion. This is a small sample from 5W in action.
Musician of the Week
Each week we will be choosing a musician from one of the ensembles and asking them a few questions about their participation in an ensemble.
This Week is Mary Williams in Year 11. Here are her responses to a few questions.
What do you like about being part of an ensemble?
I like the opportunity that an ensemble provides to learn from others and to collectively achieve something greater that is impossible individually, (it is impossible to sing multiple parts at once as one person). Choir is an example of an ensemble that benefits from the efforts of everyone who are involved.
What advice would you give to a younger student who is thinking about starting choir but is feeling nervous?
I would say ”give it a go” because you will never know if Choir is for you unless you try it. Also, try not to be too hard on yourself. It is okay to be nervous, the Choir community is so supportive and there is no pressure.
What is your favourite whole school item that we have sang, why?
My favourite is Fecit Potencium by Kim Arnesen (Speech Nigh 2018), because there was a really incredible energy in the Town Hall when the whole school was singing together. It was also a challenging piece, so it really felt like all our hard work paid off!
Thank you Mary, for your inspiring responses!
Peripatetic Music program
Want to learn an instrument or voice? It’s not too late to apply for instrumental or vocal lessons. The form can be accessed here.
If you are interested in finding out more information. We have places available to learn all instruments and voice.
Pauline Chow
Head of Music
