GENERAL INFORMATION
St Pius X College has an outstanding Music Department that has been in operation over many years. Music is an integral part of the College curriculum and students have every opportunity to make music a part of their lives. Students have the opportunity to join the many bands, ensembles and choirs. There are numerous opportunities for students to display their talents. Performances include Twilight Concerts, Music Festival, Formal and Informal College Ceremonies and events, Masses and Liturgies, Band Festivals, Competitions and External Performances.
The Music Department at St Pius X College offers tuition during school hours for students wishing to learn an instrument. Tuition is currently offered in the following areas:
• Keyboard Piano
• Woodwind Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon
• Brass Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Strings Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass
• Guitar/Bass Guitar Modern (and Classical, if requested)
• Percussion All instruments in this family including - Drum Kit, Timpani, Mallet Percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, Marimba) and Auxiliary Percussion (Conga, Bongos, Timbale, Hand Percussion)
• Voice
• Theory / Musicianship (AMEB Style)
Please see Schedule of Fees for music fees structure.
HOW TO COMMENCE LESSONS:
To begin lessons at the College, an application form may be obtained from the Student Reception Office, the Music Department or downloaded from the school website. Upon receipt of this application form, the Music Coordinator will allocate a tutor based on availability. In the case of there being no available positions in a tutor’s schedule, students will be placed on a waiting list. Parents and students are strongly discouraged from approaching individual tutors directly.
Beginner students are encouraged to give at least one semester of effort to their lessons before re-evaluating whether music tuition suits them or not.
Students usually have 8-10 lessons per term. Music tuition fees are payable to the relevant tutor in advance, on the receipt of an account. It is appreciated if accounts are settled within two weeks of receiving the invoice from the tutor. Tutors are contracted by the College and manage their accounts independently.
There is a Music Parents Association at the College whose role is to support the Music Department. They do this by providing musical instruments, equipment, repairs and other resources. To support the running of the Music program, all families whose sons take private music lessons and participate in ensembles contribute $95.00 per annum (per child) or $50.00 per annum (if they are involved only with the Senior, Chamber or Junior Choir).
PARTICIPATION IN THE MUSIC ENSEMBLE PROGRAM:
All students who learn an instrument are encouraged to join an ensemble appropriate to their instrument and ability. However, for students who learn or hire a “band / orchestral” instrument through the College Program, participation in one of the Concert Bands or String Ensemble is mandatory, once the required standards are reached. This usually takes 6 – 8 months for a beginner. Choir is also mandatory for students who are having voice lessons.
Students will be placed in the most appropriate ensemble using the criteria outlined above. It may be necessary to audition places in bands as need arises.
All students taking part in the Instrumental Music program are required to participate in the Music Festival during Term 4. At this series of concerts all students are expected to perform to the level of their experience.
HIRING AN INSTRUMENT
The College purchases and maintains (with the assistance of the Music Parents Association) a set of instruments for the use of students. This includes most band and orchestral instruments (with the exception of Percussion, Piano, Keyboards and Guitars). Students who use one of these instruments for music lessons are charged a hire fee. This cost is added to the College fees once per year (usually at the end of Term One). Students are responsible for College instruments for the term of hire and parents will be required to complete and sign a Loan Agreement form to cover this. All losses and damages to the instrument (beyond normal wear and tear) are the responsibility of the student and parents. Repair and replacement costs (in the case of loss or damage beyond repair) are to be borne by the hirer of the instrument. In the case of insurance claim, it is expected that the hirer covers the excess of the College’s premium. This is presently around $2000 for larger instruments.
Parents are encouraged to add the instrument into their own Home and Contents Insurance Policy to cover damage and loss, whilst it is at home or in transit.
ABSENCES FROM LESSONS
If a student is absent, or will be absent from a lesson, they must inform their private music tutor directly via their personal Mobile Phone / Email or you will be charged the cost for the lesson. Private tutors do have a College calendar and receive weekly College newsletters but some activities, especially in the Junior School, are sometimes left off these documents. This would include absences due to sickness. Leaving a message for the Music Department is usually not the best way of communicating with individual tutors as sometimes, due to teaching commitments, the messages are not cleared until later in the day. It is best to contact the private tutor directly.
DISCONTINUING LESSONS
If you discontinue lessons at any time you MUST inform both the Tutor and Music Coordinator in writing, three weeks in advance of the date they wish to finish. Failure to do so will result in lesson charges for those three weeks.
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