Diana Springord – Head of Music

Thank you to all those who have contributed to the success of Music at Emanuel over the past year. Music takes a huge generosity of spirit, work, care, time, resources, thought, space and money. Thanks to the wonderful team of Music teachers (Danny Burley, Liz Birrell, Alex Hone, Adam Majsay and, lately, Remi Owen) and the lovely Joanne De Araujo (PA) for their hard work and great camaraderie; our expert and friendly tutors, conductors and band mentors; the team of parents who support, lug and encourage; the School that tolerate our interruptions and share our celebratory performances; and of course, our fabulous, hard-working, enthusiastic and creative student musicians. Thank you for the music!

I would also like to farewell Alex Hone, who is leaving at the end of this year to take up a job (his dream job, perhaps) at his old school, Barker College. He has been a wonderful colleague, brimful of expertise, care and integrity, we have all learned a lot from him and enjoyed his collegiality and fun. We will miss him, and we wish him well for his future!

No instruments may be left at school during the holidays. 

Following our annual stocktake and maintenance check earlier this week, all instruments should now be taken home. Students (and parents) have already been notified by email if we have sent their instrument off-site for repairs during the break. We will ensure that students have an instrument available for the end of school performances.

Recent Music Performances

Mazal tov to the Junior Jazz Combo, Junior Stage Band and Junior Choir for their wonderful performances at the Volunteers Assembly on Tuesday. 

Our thanks to the conductors of these ensembles: Marty Farrugia, Alex Hone, Liz Birrell and Remi Owen respectively, and to Danny Burley for his accompaniment. Many compliments have been received already.

Important information for Term 1 2020

Instrument Care Seminar Tuesday 4 February 2020: 6.00 pm – 7.15 pm

Students new to IP in 2020, and who are borrowing a school instrument, will receive their instrument at the Instrument Care Seminar in Week 2. A parent must attend this evening with the student so that both parent and student know how to care for these precious instruments. The evening is also a chance to meet our tutors.

New students who own their own instrument or have prior experience in looking after it are welcome to come and meet their tutor, but it is not necessary for them to attend this event.

Extra-curricular Music Ensemble Rehearsals for Bands and Choirs resume in Week 3

Auditions (for new members or to change ensembles) will be held in Week 2 – details about the process will be published in early 2020. Auditions will be held during the rehearsal time of the relevant ensemble. Sign-on sheets will be posted on the Music corridor wall from the first day of Week 1. Some ensembles won’t be auditioned until after Music Camp. 

The 2020 rehearsal schedule can be found here.

Ensemble/Choir Changes for 2020

Korngold Strings – Ezmi Pepper: Wednesday 7:10 am – 8.00 am

Mendelssohn Chamber Strings – Leo Novikov: Friday 7:20 am – 8.10 am

Junior Brass Ensemble (new) – Jy-Perry Banks: Wednesday 7:30 am – 8.10 am

Infant Strings Program (ISP) for 2020

Violin/Viola –  Monique Mezzatesta

Cello –  Ezmi Pepper

First days of IP are in Week 3 in 2020

Year 3 and Year 6: The first day of IP is Tuesday 11 February 2020

Year 4 and Year 5: The first day of IP is Wednesday 12 February 2020

 IP Tutors for 2020

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program for 2020

Please note that from 2020, the cost of individual private music lessons will be charged at a rate of $45 per half-hour lesson (plus GST, if the tutor is registered to pay GST). This is the rate advised by the NSW Music Teachers Association. Lessons shared in pairs are only available in special circumstances and would cost $24 per student per half-hour lesson (plus GST where applicable). The Infant Strings Program (ISP) for students in Years K-2 will be charged at $257 per term on school fees, which includes the loan of an instrument.

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next year. The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 1, 2020 was 22 November 2019. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-1 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules for 2020 along with students commencing lessons for the first time. If your child intends to discontinue, formal notification in advance must be received by the end of term to avoid being committed to the full term of lessons and liable for fees. 

Please contact Matilda Grieve: music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.   

The schedules for Term 1, 2020 will be created at the end of term and emailed in late January.

Links to online forms  

New enrolment requests for private tuition: http://tinyurl.com/NewPrivateTuitionEnrolment

To discontinue private tuition for 2020: http://tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionDiscontinuation

To enrol into the Infant Strings Program: http://tinyurl.com/InfantStringsEnrolment

To discontinue Infant Strings Program for 2020: http://tinyurl.com/InfantStringsDiscontinuations

Dates for your diary in 2020

• Twilight Concerts: Monday 18 May 2020 and Tuesday 5 November 2020
• Music Camp: Term 2, Week 9 – 22 June 2020 – 25 June 2020
• Night of Instrumental Music: Wednesday 26 August 2020
• Night of Song: Thursday 22 October 2020