MUSIC

Music at Blackfriars began in the mid-seventies with the formation of a 5 piece Brass Band. Since that time the Music faculty has grown to almost two hundred students playing music.

Music Program

The music program begins in Reception and continues through to the end of Year 12. Students are able to be involved in choirs, vocal ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, rock groups, the Junior Concert Band, the Intermediate Concert Band, the Senior Concert Band and the Stage Band.

Learning an instrument and involvement in the Band program requires a commitment to the end of Year 10. We pride ourselves on offering a strong performance based program in conjunction with a comprehensive approach to music theory and musicianship, which, over three years, provides the necessary skills for students to participate confidently in a broad range of ensembles and musical genres. We also aim to give all students a firm grounding to successfully complete Music as a SACE subject at Years 11 & 12.

Music Scholarships

The Music department offers scholarships for students who will be entering Years 4, 6 and 8. Scholarships are awarded on merit determined by audition tests and aptitude tests. As part of the scholarship, recipients will be required to help enrich the arts culture of the school by being involved in the school’s musical events and other performance opportunities. The value of the scholarship consists of remission of instrumental tuition fees, instrument hire fees and band textbook expenses. Successful Year 4 and 6 applicants will receive a one year scholarship. Successful Year 8 students will receive a two year scholarship.

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

Learning an instrument involves time, motivation, self-discipline and financial commitment to tuition and instrumental hire or purchase. We strongly encourage a three-year commitment because we believe this is the minimum time frame in which students can start to reap the benefits, which flow from the advanced development of instrumental skills.

The following information and guidelines about instrumental tuition are provided to assist the student to maximize his potential in this area:

• Instrumental lessons need to be supplemented with regular practice at home. A minimum of 30 minutes practice a day is recommended.

• Your son should be encouraged to take responsibility for care and maintenance of his instrument.

• Students will miss part of one lesson on a rotated weekly basis (so that the same lesson is not missed each week). We are sometimes able to accommodate other arrangements by negotiation.

• If a student is unable to attend an instrumental lesson and the teacher is given notice, their instrumental teacher will make up the lesson. Similarly, if a teacher is absent the lesson will also be made up.

If you are concerned about any aspect of the program or wish to discuss your son’s progress please contact the Director of Music (Mr Charli Holoubek) to arrange an interview. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss any issues of concern with you.

CHARLI HOLOUBEK
Director of Music
(E-mail address: choloubek@bps.sa.edu.au)