Co-curricular Music

Overview Of The School’s Music Programme

The activities of Trinity’s Music Department, at Preparatory, Junior Middle and Senior School levels, are vigorous and exciting, offering a diverse range of opportunities from work in the classroom, through group and individual instrumental tuition, to co-curricular activities for larger groups.

A large number of performing groups rehearse within the Music Department each week. Some of these groups rehearse throughout the year while others meet for defined “rehearsal seasons.” The Trinity Grammar School Music Groups include:

Band:	Orchestral:
Symphonic Wind Band/Marching Band	Symphony Orchestra
Big Band	Trinity Sinfonietta
Concert Band	Intermediate Strings
Intermediate Concert Band	Serenata Strings
Junior School Concert Band	Vivaldi Strings
Preparatory Concert Band	Intermezzo Orchestra
	Preparatory Chamber Orchestra
	Beethoven Strings
	Mozart Strings
	Corelli Strings
Choral:	Small Ensembles:
Chapel Choir	Academy Ensembles
Camerata	String Ensembles
Trinity Chorale	Brass Ensembles
Junior School Choir	Woodwind Ensembles
Trinity Singers	Percussion and Guitar Ensembles
Primary School Choir	Mixed Ensembles and Jazz/Rock groups
	The Preparatory School Chamber Ensemble

Trinity Academy of Music

The Trinity Academy of Music was formed in 2007 with a view to providing enhanced musical experiences for boys who show an outstanding degree of ability as instrumentalists or choristers and in whom there is a clear, evident commitment to music. The Academy endeavours to meet the specialised musical needs of each of its students, through a programme of exposure to musical enrichment, including involvement in various music ensembles, master classes and workshops

Auditions

Membership of all Instrumental and Choral groups is subject to an audition. These placement auditions make sure boys are in groups appropriate to their level of ability and are seated at the correct desk within the group. At the audition every boy in every group must play or sing a solo. Instrumentalists for senior groups will also be expected to attempt a sight-reading exercise.

Rehearsal Expectations

Rehearsals for all instrumental ensembles will begin as soon as possible to the times stated in the rehearsal schedule.
Often rehearsals have other staff members attending, who assist in the production of an effective rehearsal. Some staff specifically look after administration, while others are on hand to assist students who might be experiencing difficulty.
Students are expected to practice the music in between rehearsals. Students are required to take their ensemble music to their instrumental lessons and get help in their practice and preparation from their teacher.

Students are to follow normal school procedures if they are to be absent from rehearsals.

Instrumental Lessons

Individual and group lessons are available on the following instruments:

Strings	Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | Guitar | Harp
Woodwind	Flute | Oboe | Clarinet | Bassoon | Saxophone
Brass	Trumpet | French Horn | Trombone | Euphonium | Tuba
Percussion	Mallet Percussion |  Timpani | Drum Kit
Keyboard	Piano | Pipe Organ | Jazz Piano
Vocal	All voices

Number of Lessons

A minimum of sixteen half-hour lessons will be given by Instrumental Teachers during the course of a semester.  However, generally the number of lessons will reflect the number of weeks in each term.

Enrolment

Please use the form below for a new enrolment in the instrumental Music Programme. Before your son can commence music lessons, this enrolment will be processed by the Music Department.

Use this online form to register for music tuition

Fees

• Fees are set annually based on the recommended fee for private music teacher in New South Wales.  These fees will be charged in arrears with the School Tuition at the end of each term
• Failure to pay fees will result in tuition being discontinued.
• Students entering the programme after the beginning of a term will be billed accordingly.
• Details of current fees can be obtained through the Music Administration’s office.

Lessons and Attendance

• Teachers will  issue a  full term’s lesson timetable at the beginning of each term to enable students to have prior knowledge of their commitment regarding lessons.  At Summer Hill the times for all students will rotate on a weekly basis.
• Students who are already enrolled in the Instrumental Tuition Programme will automatically be re-enrolled at the beginning of the new calendar year unless written notice of cancellation is received no later than 1st December, prior to the commencement of the new year
• It is the responsibility of both parents and students to consult the lesson timetable and to know when the first lesson is scheduled.  It is not the responsibility of teachers to collect students from their classrooms.
• The Instrumental Teacher personally, or in an emergency the Music Department, must be contacted by 8.00pm the day before of the lesson if a student is to be absent from school for any reason (illness,  family reasons, etc.)  If this is not done, the lesson will be charged and not made up.
• At Summer Hill, the Music Department Secretary can be contacted on 9581 6042, or 9581 6000.  For students at Strathfield the contact number is 8732 4617 or 8732 4600.
• Students who wish to change their lesson time because of a clash with excursions or exams, must contact the teacher personally to make new arrangements (24 hours notice is the minimum requirement).  If possible, this contact should be made a week in advance; students not doing so will be charged for the missed lesson.
• Lessons missed through the absence of a teacher will be made up, if this is not possible, no charge will be made on the next fee statement.
• Lessons missed through forgetfulness on the part of the student will be charged and not made up.

Punctuality

Punctuality is important to the successful operation of the Instrumental Tuition Programme.  Students who are habitually late or frequently miss lessons for frivolous reasons may be removed from the programme.  Students must sign in at the Music Reception before their lesson begins.

Cancellation

It should be clearly understood by all parents and students that enrolment for instrumental lessons is for a minimum of one year unless extenuating circumstances apply. Upon approval of discontinuation of lessons by the Director of Music, four weeks notice in writing is then required, with four weeks fees charged in lieu. Alternatively boys may attend lessons until the conclusion of scheduled lessons.

Rental of a Trinity Grammar School Instrument

Over a number of years Trinity Grammar School has built up a stock of instruments available for rent.  These instruments are available at a nominal rental payable per term for a period of one year only.  For purchase or hire of instruments at the end of the rental period, or if a rental instrument is not available, the Music Department is able to provide advice on brands of instruments suitable for students and assistance in obtaining competitive prices, or information relating to commercial hire schemes.

The following instruments are available for rent:

Woodwind	Brass	Strings
Flute	Trumpet	Violin
Oboe	Trombone	Viola
Clarinet	French Horn	Cello
Alto Saxophone	Euphonium/Baritone	Double Bass
Tenor Saxophone	Tuba
Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon

• Requests and arrangements for the rental of these instruments should be made in writing to the Music Department Office.
• An “Instrumental Rental Contract” must be signed in order for any student to play a school owned instrument.
• Pianos, Keyboards, Percussion Instruments and Guitars are not available for  rent.

Loss or Damage

All instruments owned by the School or privately owned must be insured by the user.  The Music Department will not take responsibility for loss or damage whether on or off the School property.

Changing Instruments

This can be arranged during any term for lessons to start at the beginning of the next term.  A term’s notice is required if a student is changing from one instrumental teacher to another.  Please contact the Director of Music if you wish to request a change of instrument.

Music Diary

At the commencement of each year, all students in the Instrumental Music Programme will be given a Music Diary.  These are available from the Music Department office.  Apart from the week’s homework, this book provides the means of communication between the teacher, the student and parents.  Parents are asked to sign this book on a weekly basis. We see the Music Diary as a continuous system of reporting and a regular point of contact between parents and teachers.

Staff, students and parents should note the following: Practice times must be written in the Music Diary by students.  This will be checked by the teacher at the following lesson.  It is important that parents read the Music Diary in order to monitor the student’s practice and progress, as well as the number of lessons attended.

Students must bring the Music Diary to lessons.

Theory and Musicianship

Details can be obtained from the Music Department Office.

Performance Exams

Students can enroll in practical grade examinations on the advice of their instrumental teacher.  For AMEB examinations, there are two periods during the year when these take place, please refer to the School Calendar.

Performing Groups

A large number of performing groups rehearse within the Music Department each week.  Some of these groups rehearse throughout the year while others meet for defined “rehearsal seasons”. 

All students having instrumental lessons, or studying music as an elective subject, are expected to be in at least one of these groups.  Membership of the senior groups is usually by invitation following an audition.

Dress for Performing Groups

Dress required by members of these groups is as follows:

Senior School Groups

Daytime Performances: Normal school uniform. (blazers as per seasonal dress rules).

Evening Performances: Long sleeved white shirt with School ties.

Marching Band will always perform in full Band uniform including helmets.

Chapel Choir: for all services choir robes are required.

Preparatory and Junior School Groups

Daytime Performances: Normal school uniform  

Evening Performances: Trinity Grammar School winter uniform with white shirts for concerts.