Information Booklet

St Pius X College has an outstanding Music Department that has been in operation over many years.  Music is an integral part of the school curriculum and students have every opportunity to make music a part of their lives.  The College caters for academic music classes from Years 5-12.  Students also have the opportunity to join the numerous bands, ensembles and choirs.  Opportunities to students to display their talents include the Twilight Concerts, Music Festival and other formal and informal College events.

BANDS/ENSEMBLES & REHEARSAL TIMES IN 2012

ABSENCES FROM ENSEMBLES

Students are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals. If this happens, extra rehearsals are unnecessary. If possible, please inform your ensemble directors of any absence in advance. If a student misses a rehearsal due to unforeseen circumstances, it is a matter of courtesy to present the director with a note explaining the absence. Most directors do not receive a list of absentees from the office, so communication in writing is vital.

GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA

SENIOR CONCERT BAND

Membership of this group is by audition only. It is the ‘premier’ band at the College and performs at most formal occasions.  Students are expected to have a high level of musical ability, as well as a high degree of punctuality and reliability. They must be able to demonstrate superior leadership skills and an ability to prepare their own parts independently though regular practise. As far as possible, the instrumentation of this band should reflect the demands of the pieces chosen for performance. Students wishing to be part of this group should strive to the highest level of musical performance. Additional consideration will be given to boys who play “endangered instruments”, such as French Horn, Bassoon, Oboe, Tuba or Euphonium. A “professional” standard of performance is expected from these boys.

INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND

This group caters for boys a minimum of 3 - 4 years of experience. The three main skills which boys in this band should develop are their sound (tone), playing technique and music reading ability. Repertoire will be selected to challenge the boys in these areas. Boys with a high standard of playing and a mature attitude are given the opportunity to audition for the Senior Concert Band, as vacancies arise. Performance opportunities will be made available to the boys in the following areas – Twilight Concert, Yamaha Music Festival and formal and informal College events

JUNIOR CONCERT BAND

This band is for boys in the middle school (Years 5 – 8, depending on ability).  Rehearsals centre on the goal of developing a good sound (tone) and improving music reading ability. In this band, boys develop at their own pace, gaining confidence to progress to the next level. Boys who show signs of rapid development will be given the opportunity to audition for the Intermediate Concert Band as vacancies arise. Consideration will also include the ability to socialise with older boys. It is expected that this band would perform at some Junior School Events as well as Twilight Concerts.

SENIOR JAZZ BAND

Membership of this band is by audition only.  Boys can only be a member of this band if they are already a member of the Senior or Intermediate Concert Band; the only exception to this being the positions of guitarist and pianist. Expectations are the same as those of boys who play in the Senior Concert Band, with the added requirement of a commitment to learning improvisation. There are extensive performance opportunities for boys in this band. A “professional” standard of performance is expected from these boys.

INTERMEDIATE JAZZ BAND

Membership of this band is by audition only. Boys can only be a member of this band if they are already a member of a Concert Band, the only exception to this being the positions of guitarist and pianist.  This group consists of boys with a minimum of three or more years experience. Boys are expected to develop skills which will see them smoothly integrated into the Senior Jazz Band when required. Boys are expected to concentrate on their improvisational skills, as well as sound (tone), playing technique and music reading. Performance opportunities for this group include the Yamaha Festival, Twilight Concerts and Colour Award ceremonies.

JUNIOR JAZZ BAND

Membership of this band is by invitation and audition only. Boys can only be a member of this band if they are already a member of a Concert Band; the only exception to this is the positions of guitarist and pianist. This group consists of boys with minimum of 1-3 years of experience. Boys are expected to develop skills that will see them progress to Intermediate Jazz Band when required. Boys are expected to begin development of their improvisational skills as well as sound, technique and music reading. Performance opportunities for this group include Twilight Concerts and Junior School events.

STRING ENSEMBLE

This group comprises students of varied degrees of ability. Consequently, music is specifically arranged for these students with this in mind. These boys provide music for Masses and Liturgies. They also perform at the Twilight Concert and other formal and informal College events, as required.

COLLEGE STRING QUARTET

Membership of this group is by invitation only. The quartet provides chamber music when necessary for school functions, such as “Splinters, Splashes and Sounds”, The Edmund Rice Oratory Competition finals, Headmasters’ Luncheons and Masses and Liturgies. This group has also performs outside of the College by request.

STRING TRIO/QUARTET

Membership of this group is by invitation only, although if you are interested in joining speak with Ms Ramsay, the Ensemble Director. It is from this group that boys are usually promoted to the College String Quartet. The group usually performs at Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

SENIOR CHOIR

This group includes students from Years 7 – 12. They develop a love of singing through group music making. Students who wish to develop their vocal skills are warmly welcomed into this ensemble. A commitment to fun, learning and attending all rehearsals / performances on time, are the only entry requirements for this premier group. The Senior Choir prepare repertoire for Twilight Concerts, Masses and Liturgies and other formal and informal College events.

CHAMBER CHOIR

Membership to this choir is by audition only. The group consists of no more than twelve vocalists, as the emphasis is on performing technically challenging works, which are often performed “a capella”. Students who audition for this ensemble must be a member of Senior Choir. The Chamber Choir performs at the Principal’s request and at Twilight Concerts throughout the year.

JUNIOR CHOIR

Boys in Years 5 and 6 with a love of singing are able to join the Junior Choir. They will prepare performances specifically for Junior School events as well as College Masses and Liturgies. The Junior Choir also performs as part of the regular Twilight Concert Schedule. Every second year, the Junior Choir also participates in the IPSHA Performing Arts Festival, to great acclaim.

SENIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE

This group is for boys with highly developed guitar skills, including the ability to improvise. Boys in this group will be expected to learn and perform in a variety of styles. Performance opportunities include Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR ENSEMBLE

This ensemble caters for students who already have reasonably well developed skills as guitarists but have not yet reached the level required for entry into the Senior Guitar Ensemble. This group builds on the skills established in the Junior Guitar Ensemble. Performance opportunities include some Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

JUNIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE

In this ensemble boys begin to develop the skills that allow them to progress to the Intermediate and Senior Guitar Ensembles. These skills include a focus on reading music notation (as opposed to TAB), which is essential for all players. This group is also expected to perform at some Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

SENIOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Members of this ensemble are required to display a range of abilities on varied percussion instruments, including tuned percussion. The ability to improvise is developed within this ensemble. Performance opportunities include some Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

INTERMEDIATE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

This ensemble caters for students who already have reasonably well developed skills as percussionists but have not yet reached the level required for entry into the Senior Percussion Ensemble. The focus of this group is on continuing to extend students’ skills in music reading and general percussion technique, as well as gaining experience on a wide variety of tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Performance opportunities include, some Twilight Concerts, Music Festival and other College events as required.

JUNIOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Students in this group are expected to develop their ability to read music and play all of the instruments in the percussion family. They will also begin learning the skills of playing in a group. This ensemble also performs at some Twilight Concerts and the Music Festival.

Attachments:

Music Information Booklet