Overview
Music at NGS is a vital part of the life of our School. We have Bands, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestras, Choirs and Chamber Ensembles and an awesome Music Camp each year. These groups play a huge range of repertoire from Classical to Jazz and Rock. We am very proud of our Music Program at NGS and we encourage all students to be involved in one or more of these outstanding programs.
Classroom Music
Music begins in Kindergarten and is mandatory to Year 8. In the Junior School, all students sing in a choir and participate in the String Program in Years 3 and 4. In the Middle School Years 5 and 6, all students learn an instrument in the Brass, Woodwind and Percussion program as part of their timetable Music class allocation. Music is also a popular elective choice for students in Years 9 -12 of all ability levels and allows all students to develop their music skills.
Newcastle Grammar School is proud of the outstanding HSC Music 1 and Music 2 results achieved over many years. In the 2010 and 2011 Higher School Certificate Examinations, five students were nominated to perform at ENCORE with one student placed first in State in Music 1.
Music Ensembles at Newcastle Grammar School - Time to be Involved!
NGS instrumental and vocal ensembles cater for young musicians of all ages and abilities. The Music Faculty at NGS is a very supportive place and students are made to feel nurtured and happy in this environment and through involvement in our Co-Curricular Ensembles. Our friendly staff are always on hand to support all students. Performance opportunities are provided for every ensemble throughout the school year.
Music Tuition
NGS offers lessons by some of Newcastle’s best instrumental and vocal teachers. Lessons can take place in school time, before or after school.
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Instrument/Vocal Programme
There are a variety of Instrumental Ensembles which students can participate in from Year 3 to 12.
Junior School (Years 3 and 4)
- Junior School String Programme (in class)
- Junior School String Ensemble
Middle School (Years 5 and 6)
- Year 5 and 6 Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Programme (in class)
- Bamboozle Stage Band
- String Ensemble
- Grammarphones
- Wind Orchestra Years 7 and 8 by audition only
Senior School (Years 9 - 12)
- Chamber Choir for Year 9 only and by audition
- Bamboozle Stage Band
- Symphony Orchestra by audition only as required
- Brass RaZoo Big Band by audition only as required
- Wind Orchestra
Students also play in Saxophone, Percussion and Brass chamber ensembles.
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Elective and Non-Elective Programmes
Organisation of Elective Music Classes (Stage 5-6)
In this area of the Music curriculum, the students are able to study the BOS Music courses through a range of different classroom opportunities. All students are required to undertake individual study of an instrument(s) as part of these courses.
In Years 9 and 10, the students experience a wide range of musicology topics, performance, composition and aural skills in integrated lessons. This allows for the needs of the students to be realised while also ensuring that the curriculum is covered.
In Years 11 and 12, students can study either Music 1, Music 2 and Extension.
Music 1 is a course that allows for a more contemporary interest and background, and also caters for a student who has a more general interest in an instrument and wishes to study music of the HSC course. Accomplished contemporary musicians can study this course or alternatively Music 2 and Music Extension. These more advanced Music courses are designed for students to study a program which explores various musical periods while allowing the students to take an extension component of Performance, Composition or Musicology, as an additional 50 marks, above their core 100 marks in their normal classes.
The Elective Music Program consists of seven periods over the two-week cycle. Classes are normally divided into:
- Practical performance
- Composition
- Aural/Musicology
Music Technology is incorporated into both Composition and Aural & Musicology as required.
For additional information about any of these courses, please visit the Board of Studies website and search the Music curriculum information. Click here to visit.
Organisation of Non-Elective Music Classes in Year 7 and Year 8 (Stage 4)
It is compulsory that all students in Years 7 and 8 complete the BOS stage 4 based Music course across these two years. All students will complete a variety of musical tasks and enjoy a wide range of experiences, which include keyboards, drums, music and computers, guitars, combined with the study of Australian Music, Film Music, Instrumental Music and Rock. Each student develops an understanding of music performance, composition, notation and aural skills through an exciting, modular based, hands-on music programme. Many of the students decided to study elective Music after these two years. Similarly, many of the students wish to have individual Music lessons as an extension of their normal class Music. These can organised through the Music Centre Office. Students who are learning individual instruments are expected to perform in a co-curricular ensemble when they reach a suitable level of proficiency on their instrument.
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Rational for Music 1
Music occupies a significant place in world cultures and the recorded history of all civilisations. It is a unique symbol system that uses sound to imply meaning and convey information. Music has the capacity to cross cultural and societal boundaries. It plays a variety of important roles in the cultural and spiritual lives of people, which is reflected in its prominent place in society and its immense contribution to the global economy. At an individual level, music is a medium of personal expression that enables the sharing of ideas, feelings and experiences and all students should have the opportunity to develop their musical abilities and potential.
The study of music combines the development of cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains in such a way that all domains contribute equally to the act of making music. It allows for the expression of the intellect, imagination and emotion, the exploration of values, and fosters an understanding of continuity and change, as well as the connections between different times and cultures. The nature of music study also allows students to develop their capacity to manage their own learning, work together with others and engage in activity that reflects the real world practice of performers, composers and audiences.
The purpose of Music 1 is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes within a broad musical context and encourage the desire to continue learning in formal and informal music settings after school. The course provides students with opportunities to engage in a range of musical styles, including contemporary popular music, and for many, it will serve as a pathway for further training and employment in the music industry or in contemporary music fields.
Music 1 provides an alternative course of study to Music 2 and the curriculum structure is adaptable enough to meet the needs and interests of students with varying degrees of prior formal and informal learning in music. It accommodates the widely differing needs and abilities of students, ranging from the broadly based to the desire to specialise, by allowing flexibility in the topic choice and areas of study. Students may enter the course from the Mandatory course as well as from the Additional Study course.
(source, BOS, Music 1 syllabus)
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Rational for Music 2 and Extension in Stage 6
Music occupies a significant place in world cultures and the recorded history of all civilisations. It is a unique symbol system that uses sound to imply meaning and convey information. It has the capacity to cross cultural and societal boundaries. Music plays a variety of important roles in the cultural and spiritual lives of people that is reflected in its prominent place in society and its immense contribution to the global economy. At an individual level, music is a medium of personal expression that enables the sharing of ideas, feelings and experiences and all students should have the opportunity to develop their musical abilities and potential.
The study of music combines the development of cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains in such a way in that all domains contribute equally to the act of making music. It allows for the expression of the intellect, imagination and emotion, the exploration of values, and fosters an understanding of continuity and change, as well as the connections between different times and cultures. The nature of music study also allows students to develop their capacity to manage their own learning, work together with others and engage in activity that reflects the real world practice of performers, composers and audiences.
While students will develop knowledge and skills that pertain to each of the individual areas of performance, composition, musicology and aural, the integration of experiences in these areas acts as a tool towards the understanding and manipulation of the concepts of music in different musical contexts.
The purpose of Music 2 is to provide students with the opportunity to build on the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes gained in Music 7 to 10 and encourage the desire to continue learning in formal and informal music settings after school. The course provides students with opportunities to extend their musical knowledge with a focus on Western art music and it will serve as a pathway for further formal study in tertiary institutions or in fields that use their musical knowledge.
The curriculum structure is adaptable enough to meet the needs and abilities of students with a range of interests, extending from the broadly based to the desire to pursue and develop more specialised knowledge and skills. Most students will enter the course from the Additional Study course.
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Music Tuition
Policy
Students enrolling in private music tuition are reminded that this is a serious commitment that requires an undertaking on the part of the Student to attend lessons and associated activities and to carry out all practice tasks set by the Teacher.
It is the Student’s responsibility to attend, on time, all scheduled lessons. No refund will be given for missed lessons unless 24 hours notice is given. This includes excursions where students have not given prior notice. The Teacher will endeavour to find a replacement time, however, they are not obliged to do so. This includes lessons missed due to equipment/instruments being forgotten. It is also the Student’s responsibility to notify Teachers of absence due to excursions, etc. Extra lessons may be given (charged separately) at the discretion of the Teacher.
The Practice Planner and the Student’s Programme Book must be taken to every lesson. The work for the week and comments are recorded in the Practice Planner and the Programme Book is also a dispensation for the class Teacher if needed.
If a Student wishes to cease lessons, a minimum of half a term’s notice must be given.
Teachers will provide accounts at the start of each term. Tuition fees are payable to the tutor within a three week period of receiving your account.
Rented instruments are each Student’s responsibility. Any loss or damage must be reported immediately to the Director of Music for insurance purposes.
Fee Structure (per Term)
Effective as of 1/1/2009
Minimum charge: $32 per half hour
Music craft classes:
Grades 1-3 $60 per term
Grade 5 $65 per term
Lesson Times
Students arrange their lesson time with their respective Teachers. This may be during or after School, depending on the Teacher’s availability and Student preference. As we have a fortnightly timetable, while a Student may have a lesson at the same time each week, they will not miss the same subject twice in that cycle. Classes missed are at the discretion of the relevant Head of School.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are available for beginner Students and are subject to the availability of Teachers.
Ensembles
Students learning an instrument are strongly encouraged to play in at least one School ensemble upon reaching the required standard. These include choirs, wind and string orchestras, concert bands, jazz bands and individual ensembles for brass, clarinet, flute, percussion, saxophone and guitar.
Examinations
Reports are provided for all Students learning an instrument at the end of each semester.
External examinations (eg. AMEB and Trinity) may be undertaken subject to the recommendation of the individual Teacher.
Instrument Hire
It is recommended that each Student has his or her own instrument. However, there is a limited number of instruments for hire from the Music Department. Any loss or damage of School instruments must be borne by the Parents. Instrument accessories (and the replacement of them), i.e. reeds, strings, etc. are the responsibility of the Student. In no circumstances are repairs to be carried out by the hirer.
Hire Charges
The following instruments are available for hire from Newcastle Grammar School (subject to availability):
Violin, Cello, Viola, Double Bass, Clarinet, Flute: $100.00
Saxophone, Oboe, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba: $125.00
To enrol in music tuition, please complete &
submit this form Music Tuition Enrolment Form.
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Music Scholarships
Newcastle Grammar School has an extensive Music Scholarship program which is open to students in Years 5 – 11.
Applicants will be required to undertake a vocal or instrumental audition. Included in the audition there will be sight-singing/sight-reading and a short aural test followed by a short interview.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Study Elective Music in either Years 9 & 10 or Years 11 & 12.
- Play in at least two instrumental/vocal ensembles as deemed appropriate by the Director of Music.
- Perform at Music Scholars Recitals each semester.
- Attend Music Camp.
- Be actively involved in Chapel and Assembly performances.
- Play an active role in promoting Music at NGS.
Scholarships usually take place annually in March/April.
For more information on Scholarship please visit
Scholarships.
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