Music Matters

Assembly Performance

Congratulations to members of Madrigal Ensemble with their performance of “Dancing Song” by Zoltan Kodaly.  Zoltan Kodaly is an early 20^th century Hungarian composer and pedagogue whose music features the folk elements of traditional Hungarian music.  The song captures the turbulent background of war with the soldiers of the Gypsy army (known as the Magyars) asking for new uniforms! The song features 5 vocal parts unaccompanied. You can watch the performance here.

Congratulations to Natalie Assaad (Year 7) who played the introduction and recession items for assembly on the Piano.  Natalie Assaad played excerpts from the 1^st movement of “Sonatine Op. 5” by Anton Eberl.  Well done, Natalie!

“Peter and the Wolf” meets “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”

Year 2 girls have been listening to Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev which tells a story in music. In response, the girls created their own music with soundscapes to the well-known story, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. They each chose percussion instruments to create musical representations of different natural landscapes. They thoroughly enjoyed the creative process. Enjoy their musical story and live performance in the K-2 Assembly last week here

Mrs Bronwyn Cleworth – Year 2 Music Teacher

“Roll-a-Tune” – Year 6 Composition Task

Year 6 have been composing using the method of “chance” music. Chance, or aleotoric music (from the Latin word alea, meaning “dice”) is music in which some element of the composition is left to chance.

In our class, each student created a dice printed with 6 selected rhythms and another with 6 pitch choices consisting of do, re, me, fa, so and la – forming a Pentatonic scale. Each roll of the dice revealed a new opportunity to create a 2 beat rhythmic and melodic pattern unique to each student. The chance to create something uniquely their own, and with no set outcome was refreshing for the students as we started this week’s learning. This unique way of composing allows for freedom but also with parameters around structure and creation.

The results will be played on tuned percussion instruments. Students will be given a chance then to revise their initial compositions and give them a more personal touch if needs be as we travel on.

Want to know more? This style of composition was first explored by composers such as Charles Ives, Stockhausen and Berlioz in the early 20th Century. These composers were experimenting with new ways of forming musical choices in their compositions, as a departure from the strict rules and conventions developed in classical music.

Some incredible compositions were created such as Stockhausen’s Klavierstück XI (1956). This piece presents nineteen events which are composed and notated in a traditional way, but the arrangement of these events is determined by the performer spontaneously during the performance. The notated music is provided by the composer, but their arrangement and performance is left to the determination of the performer.

Ms Lanneke Jones – Year 6 Music Teacher

Primary Piano Concert – 10 June Great Hall 3.30pm

The Primary Piano Concert will be held in the Great Hall on Thursday 10 June at 3.30pm.

All pianos students who learn in the school program or from external tutors are welcome to participate.

The concert is a great opportunity to share a piece in front of an audience once again.

Please fill in this online form to be included in this concert Piano Concert Forms

This link will be available until Monday 7 June 3pm.

GOOD LUCK String Students! AMEB EXAMS Saturday 5 June

Best wishes to the final round of String students who will be sitting for their AMEB string exams in the Primary Music Room this Saturday 5 June. Please read the important information for families of students who are sitting the examination:

VENUE: SCEGGS Primary Music Room

TIME: Please call 0409 776 074 upon arrival at the Bourke Street gate 30 minutes prior to exam

UNIFORM: Full winter uniform with blazer and tie

BRING: Instrument, all accessories (shoulder rest, etc) and all music

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we are unable to have parents on the school grounds during the AMEB exams. Please drop your daughter at the Bourke Street gate 30 minutes prior to her exam time and collect her again afterwards.

Mrs Sweeney has been in contact with parents regarding the specifics of the exams.

Ms Jones and Mrs Holmes will accompany the candidates on the piano and rehearse with each girl prior to the examinations.

If you have any queries or concerts, please email Mrs Sweeney.

Meet our Tutor – Lisa Adamik (Piano)

This week, our tutor of the week is Lisa Adamik who teaches Piano in our Music program.  This week we asked Lisa the following questions – Thank you Lisa!

How long have you played your instrument?

I started playing the piano at the age of 3.

What style of repertoire do you enjoy playing?

I love playing the romantic composers the most – Chopin is my favourite!

What are your other interests besides teaching your instrument?

Other than teaching piano I run music classes for parents and their young children and also run individual music therapy sessions for children with special needs. 

What do love about teaching at SCEGGS?

I love getting to know the girls and building relationships with them. They are all so sweet. The staff are all lovely and welcoming as well. It’s a very positive nurturing environment to work in!

Peripatetic Music Program

Our peripatetic tuition program is currently at capacity.  Any students who have submitted a form expressing an interest in Piano or String (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass and Guitar) lessons will be placed on a waiting list.  Any other instruments or vocalists are close to capacity, but we would welcome your request.

Now is a good time for families to have a conversation with their daughters and/or with music tutors to discuss their progress with their voice or instrument.

A reminder that a 4-week notice period is required for any students who wish to discontinue their tuition at the end of the term.

Upcoming Events:

Pauline Chow
Head of Music