2021 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

As you may be aware, the students in Years 2 and 3 recently sat an aural test to determine their suitability for the Instrumental Music Programme next year. The Instrumental Teachers are currently reviewing these results and will be sending home letters of recommendation soon to the families of any children who they believe would succeed in the programme next year. The purpose of doing this is to flag any musical aptitude that until now, may have gone unchecked and, to inform families of this wonderful opportunity. If your child does not receive a letter, it does not mean that your child isn’t a suitable or viable candidate for the programme next year and if they are keen on joining the programme next year, I encourage them to keep following the steps of the recruitment process.

Following the release of these letters, a link to a video will be sent out to all Year 2 and 3 families with the SchoolZine app. If your child wishes to be considered for the programme next year, you will need to watch this video with them and sign the attached consent forms for the Instrumental Music teachers to take your child during class time and ‘physically test’ them in a COVID safe manner. That is, they will not be blowing into instrumentals or sharing them. Rather, the Instrumental Music teachers will be observing things like arm length, finger dexterity and the ability to form the correct embouchure in order to determine the appropriate instruments for each child. 

Students who are selected for the programme in 2021 will be informed in writing after the physical testing process in Term 4.

Should you have any further questions about any of this, please do not hesitate to email me at leeas0@eq.edu.au.

CHOIR

Children are reminded that Senior and Junior Choir have recommenced this term. Due to social distancing requirements, we are rehearsing in the hall every First Break on Tuesdays (Senior Choir) and Fridays (Junior Choir). Well done to those students who consistently remember to attend these rehearsals – your dedication has not gone unchecked!

All students in Grades 2 and 3 are welcome to attend Junior Choir rehearsals and all students in Grades 4 to 6 are welcome to attend Senior Choir rehearsals. We have been working on some fun songs and hopefully, we’ll have some recordings to send home (in lieu of a live performance) soon.

Lauren Easey

Music Teacher

STRINGS

On Wednesday of week 8 the strings students were very excited to have two members of Camerata- Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra come out to run a day of workshops with the three string ensembles. Violinist Jason Tong and Double Bassist Connor Bishop taught the students some new and interesting ways of rehearsing their repertoire. The teachers also worked on improving the students’ rhythm awareness by getting them to try marching in time on the spot while playing their pieces and the junior string ensemble enjoyed playing some rhythm games. This workshop was particularly significant for the Brandenburg Senior String ensemble, this was the first time we’ve been able to do a full ensemble rehearsal since lockdown in March.  It was really great to get back into some extended rehearsals after the many other instrumental music events that have needed to be cancelled this year.

Tamsyn Eastgate

(Strings Teacher)