Music at Sale College
THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
The Instrumental Music Program offers all students the opportunity to learn an instrument and participate in our extensive ensemble program . Students receive an instrumental lesson with a specialist teacher for 35 minutes each week, usually in a small group. These lessons are free of charge, but there is a fee for being involved in the band program.
Some of the many benefits of learning an instrument include:
- offers a unique form of self expression and creativity
- develops self esteem and concentration
- improves hand-eye coordination and reading skills
- has been proved to increase academic ability
- develops social and leadership skills
- gives students the opportunity to mix across all year levels and with like minded students from other schools.
All students have the opportunity to learn music, as there are several school instruments available for hire or even loan, and bursaries can be offered to cover the music fees. Music staff will be happy to help with buying or hiring instruments.
Students can learn a wide variety of instruments. All students take part in one or more of our ensembles, which often perform at concerts, Eisteddfods and community events. Students have the opportunity to play for fun, or to develop their skills to a high degree of performance, including VCE solo or group performance.
SALE COLLEGE ENSEMBLE PROGRAM
The Music Program revolves around the two main ensembles, Senior Concert Band and Big Band. As a support for these ensembles, we also have Intermediate Concert Band and Junior Concert Band (for beginners), and Junior Stage Band.
There are also small ensembles for as many instruments as possible, varying according to numbers of students and staff availability. These include Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble and Brass Ensemble, as well as junior and senior flute, saxophone and clarinet ensembles at different times.
The Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands and Big Band rehearse after school once a week, all other ensembles rehearse at lunch times.
Ensembles perform at school concerts, Eisteddfods and within the local community.
SPECIALIST TEACHERS
At Sale College we have specialist teachers in the areas of Brass, Percussion , Guitar and Woodwind. We also have a private teacher who comes to the school to teach keyboard and singing.
Claire Cochrane - all woodwind
Brett Glover – percussion as well as some woodwind and brass
Anthony Rickard – guitar and bass guitar
Sallyanne Barclay - woodwind and classroom music
James Woodhouse - brass
Jenny Schultz - keyboard and voice
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FEES
Fees for the music program are necessary as the small amount of funding the program receives from the school would not provide all the resources we need.
However, no student is prevented from taking parting the music program because of financial difficulty. There are full bursaries available for students who show interest, so contact Claire Cochrane to discuss this further.
The fees are $100 for year 7 students, $150 for years 8 to 12 and $200 per family. Fees may be paid in instalments by arrangement with the front office.
BUYING OR HIRING INSTRUMENTS
Students are required to provide their own instruments for their lessons.
Instruments are available for purchase or hire from a reputable music store that we have dealt with for many years.
Second hand and new instruments can also be found at local music shops, but PLEASE check with your instrumental teacher or the music coordinator before buying an instrument outside of school, especially from e-bay – there are many instruments available that will hinder the student rather than help them and will be a waste of money.
There are a limited number of instruments available for hire or even loan from the school. These are offered to families with limited financial means.
INSTRUMENTS TAUGHT AT SALE COLLEGE
TRUMPET
TROMBONE
TUBA
EUPHONIUM
HORN
FLUTE
CLARINET
SAXOPHONE
OBOE
BASSOON
BASS GUITAR
GUITAR
PERCUSSION
(KEYBOARD, SINGING - PRIVATE TEACHER)
CLASSROOM MUSIC
All students in year 7 do 2 periods a week for a semester of classroom music.
The music classroom has a keyboard lab where every student learns to play a keyboard. Each keyboard is fitted with headphones and is able to be linked with other students or the teacher.
Students learn how to play on their own and in groups and learn a variety of songs from different styles and cultures.
The classroom also is now equipped with a mini lab which has synthesisers connected to computers which will enable students to compose their own music and record it. We also do a lot of listening and discussing different styles of music and learn about instruments of the Orchestra.
Students can then elect to do classroom music in year 9 for a semester where they develop and expand on the skills they learnt in year 7 and can then choose an area of music they would like to learn more about.