Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Contents

Purpose

2

Program Overview

3

Meet the Instrumental Music Staff Brian Kruger Violin Jane Johnston Viola

4

Amber Day Cello Kirsty Collins Double Bass Lessons What to bring to lessons

6

Instrument Hire Caring for your instrument

7

Loss of instrument or damages Home Practise

9

String Orchestra Contacts Student Testimonials

10 11

Purpose The major benefits of teaching music are widely understood by educational experts. There is an abundance of academic literature highlighting the cognitive development, socialisation, as well as intrinsic and extrinsic benefits and achievements of students when undertaking instrumental music lessons.

Decades of research clearly shows that learning a musical instrument at an early age, can help to develop students’ abilities in all aspects of their learning such as: Contributing strongly to personal intelligences by the development of emotional and social skills through group singing, dancing playing and creating; Enhancing social skills and self-esteem; • Developing physical skills; Enhancing emotional development; Enhancing creativity and expression; Developing fine motor skills; and • Enhancing numeracy and literacy.

When investigating Music education in other nations, it is evident that Australia in considerably behind. It is notable that the countries with the highest scores in Reading, Mathematics and Science, including China (Shanghai), Hong Kong, Finland, Singapore and South Korea, mandate approximately one to two hours of Music education per week.

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“The things that promote literacy and numeracy are the arts, beginning with serious arts education in the early years.

If we want a creative nation, an imaginative nation, a thinking nation and a nation of individuals, then we must increase the time for arts education, especially music education.”

Richard Gill

Leading Australian figure in Arts Education

1

Music Council of Australia (2011) Supplementary Submission from the Music Council of Australia: Teacher Education in Music

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Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Program Overview Learning a musical instrument at Aquinas College will support and educate each individual student intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally through creative and active music-making. In addition, the program will aid in further developing students’ numeracy, literacy and fine motor skills.

All Year Two and Three students will participate in

These include:

the program for three academic terms, after

Self-confidence and presentation skills

which the college will offer students the

Problem solving, perseverance and resilience

opportunity to continue or withdraw from the

Empathy and compassion

program. Lessons, instrument hire, music practice

Social skills and a sense of teamwork

diaries and method books are provided free of charge. Students can choose to continue with the

Academic research conducted in both Australia

same instrument into the Year Three and Four

and internationally clearly suggests that similar

Programs, and those students who continue into

programs have been implemented with enormous

year five, parents will then fund their child’s

success for a number of years in many schools. It is

participation in the instrumental music program.

crucial that Aquinas College is able to provide students with a holistic education.

In addition to lessons, students will experience being part of an ensemble. The Year Two and Three String Orchestra will commence in Term Two, once students have learnt a sufficient number of notes. The orchestra will rehearse for one hour per week during the school day.

Instrumental teachers participate in the orchestra rehearsal to model effective ensemble practices and etiquette to students. Performance opportunities as part of the orchestra, small ensemble, or as a solo performer, expose students to a number of positive mind sets that channel into other aspects of school life.

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Meet the Instrumental Music Staff Mr Brian Kruger Violin Brian Kruger is a violinist and pianist with extensive performance, composition and teaching experience.

Having been a concertmaster and soloist for the Perth Symphony Orchestra and Australian Baroque, he is also known for his feature film and rap music composition portfolio, having been granted the Martin Simms and Western Australian Music Industry awards among others in these fields.

In the UK she began her playing with the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland at the age of 10 then performed throughout Europe with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland including playing at the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

During her studies she played with orchestras including Britten-Peers Symphony Orchestra and the Halle.

Kirsty moved to Perth in 2008 where she lives with her husband and three children. In Perth she regularly plays as a freelance double bassist with orchestras such as the Perth Symphony Orchestra, WA philharmonic and enjoys playing in

Mrs Kirsty Collins Double Bass

smaller chamber groups performing music from Tango and contemporary to classical.

Scottish born Double Bass player Kirsty Collins completed her Honours Bachelor of Music Degree at

She has tutored at the Perth Summer Orchestra

the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, in

Camp and the West Australian Youth Orchestra in

2007. She continued her studies with Jiri Hudec,

which many of her students play. Kirsty loves

Principal Double Bass of the Czech Philharmonic

teaching and sharing the joy of playing the

Orchestra and completed a Postgraduate Diploma

double bass with her students.

in Performance with Distinction in 2008.

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Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Amber Day Cello Having learnt piano from the age of five and cello from the age of ten, Amber's participation in chamber groups and orchestras at school, as well as being a member of the WA Youth Orchestra for many years, developed her love for performing and lead her to pursue a career in music.

After graduating from Penrhos College, Amber completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at UWA before relocating to London to undertake postgraduate studies in both modern and baroque cello at the Royal College of Music.

Amber has also been teaching young cellists both Throughout her career, Amber has worked

privately and at a number of private schools

extensively as a freelance musician both locally

around Perth.

and overseas as a member of various chamber groups and orchestras for public performances in a

The enjoys seeing students’ progress and grow

wide range of genres, as well as organising and

and confidence as they work towards achieving

performing in small ensembles for private and

their various goals. Amber has been a part of the

corporate functions and events.

string programs at Trinity College (2007-2015) and St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls (since 2007),

She is currently looking forward to performing in the

and was welcomed to the string program at

orchestra. Since returning from the UK in 2007,

Aquinas College in 2018.

Mrs Jane Johnston Viola

Jane Johnston is a violin and viola teacher. She studied for her B.Mus.(Perf)(Hons) at the University of Adelaide and afterwards received a Churchill Fellowship to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

She has played full time in WASO for over 20 years in both violin sections and been Principal Second violin in their Education Chamber Orchestra for several years.

Jane taught at Penrhos College for 6 years, where she also directed their Senior String Orchestra and Junior String Orchestra and various small string ensembles. She conducted the Penrhos String Ensemble in the Washington International Music Festival, where they were awarded Gold in a performance with the Penrhos Chorale during a tour of the USA.

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Lessons

Term Overview

All students will be learning as part of a group.

WEEK 1

No Instrumental Music lessons

WEEK 2

Music Lesson 1 Yr 2 Lessons & Orchestra

WEEK 3

Music Lesson 2 Yr 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 4

No Lesson (EXEAT)

WEEK 5

Music Lesson 3 Year 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 6

Music Lesson 4 Year 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 7

Music Lesson 5 Year 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 8

Music Lesson 6 Year 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 9

Music Lesson 7 Year 2 and 3 Orchestra

WEEK 10

No Lesson No Orchestra

Lessons are 30 minutes and take place every Friday on a fixed timetable. This means students will be coming out of class at the same time each week. This allows the classroom teacher to plan their Friday teaching around the students who are absent from their classes at regular times each week and results in a more productive use of classroom, despite the interruptions.

In the case of excursions, incursions, whole school assemblies or sport events, lessons will either be postponed until the following week or the lesson timetable will run to a modified schedule which will be emailed to classroom and instrumental teachers only.

You will see an outline of the lesson schedule

Parents are very welcome to attend lessons to see

below. Students are only required to bring their

how their child is progressing on their instrument,

instrument to school on the weeks that a lesson is

particularly if you have developed an interest in the

scheduled. All instruments must return home on

instrument yourself and are looking for ways to

Friday afternoon.

assist your child’s learning at home.

During Term One violins, violas and cellos will be

What to bring to lessons

stored in classrooms under the guidance of the

Apart from bringing their instrument to each

classroom teacher. Double basses will need to be

lesson (which also includes bow, bow rosin, and

stored in the Music Room from the start of the day

shoulder rest for violin and viola) students are also

through to 3pm. Double basses are not to be

required to bring/provide the following:

stored in the Year Two and Three classrooms.

A pencil Display file (for practise copies of orchestra

It is our intention to provide a number of spare

pieces or other additional music). Please label.

double basses which remain at the school and will

Method book.

alleviate the need to bring these instruments to

A smile and positive attitude for learning!

and from school each week. It must be noted

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however, that there may not be enough spare

In most cases, these items do not fit inside the

basses for each boy to use in orchestra so they will

instrument cases. The Uniform Shop sell Music

need to share during these times. Parents will be

satchels, much like the Library satchels, otherwise a

contacted if double basses need to be brought to

plastic case big enough to hold the above items will

school on a roster system.

also help to protect books and stay organised.

Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Instrument Hire All students will be using instruments hired from WA Music and Musicorp.

All students will have an instrument allocated to them based on the sizing recorded at the Orientation Day. Each instrument has a serial number, located on the side of the finger board, down by the belly.

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your son’s name in a database as well as written in the front of their music diary. In some cases,

Pegbox

These serial numbers will be recorded against

Tuning Stick

students will need to be given a larger instrument as they are growing boys. This will be left to the

with the upmost care. String instruments are particularly fragile as they are acoustic instruments and they naturally expand and contract based on conditions.

E A D G

Upper Bout

In general, all instruments need to be handled

Fingerboard

Caring for your instrument

Neck

discretion of the instrumental music teacher.

knocked and these include the tuning pegs, fine tuners and bridge. It is best not to try and tune

Wiast

There are parts that should not be touched or

F Holes

your son’s instrument (using the tuning pegs or

training. A lot of the time this results in snapped strings.

The bridge holds the strings in place and is not

Lower Bout

fine tuners) unless you have had some string

Fine Tuner(s) Tailpiece Chinrest

permanently attached to the body. If knocked, it will come out of place very easily and this in turn will affect the strings.

Over tightening the strings can also collapse the

At no time should these instruments be placed on

bridge, which is another reason not to attempt

their bridges, in or out of the case. Cellos and

tuning at home. Violins and violas come in hard

double basses are best stored on their sides, and

cases, whereas cellos and double basses have soft

when travelling in a vehicle let common sense

fabric cases.

prevail.

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The bow requires equal care and should always be kept in its case when not in use. As shown by the instrumental teacher, the hairs on the bow are pulled/pushed across the strings to produce sound.

There are some important things to remember about the bow: Stick

1

The screw loosens and tightens the hairs on the bow

2

Hairs should be loosened when stored in the case

3

Hairs should be tightened when used to perform

4

Over tightening will break the strands of hair. There stick should

Pad

Screw Hair

still appear bowed otherwise the hairs are too tight.

5

Frog

Hairs should never be touched as your hands carry oils and dirt that will dirty the hairs and cause damage.

6

Hairs will sometimes break off on their own accord. When this

off with scissors rather than pulling

Scroll

Pegbox

happens, it is better to cut the hair

Nut

the loose hair off with a ripping

In the event that your son’s instrument results in minor damage that cannot be repaired by an instrumental teacher, it will be returned to our supplier for repair.

Therefore diligent care must be taken at all times when handling, transporting or

Fingerboard

Loss of instrument or damages

A D G C

Upper Bout

Neck

motion.

Purfing

for orchestra and lessons, otherwise it can be quite disruptive to his learning

Wiast

best interest that he has an instrument

C-Bouts

storing the instrument. It is in your son’s

F Holes Bridge

and progression.

with WA Music, damage that renders the instrument or its parts non- playable or loss of the instrument or its parts, such

Lower Bout

In accordance with the loan agreement

Fine Tuner(s) Tailpiece

as the bow or shoulder rest, the college will incur a fee which will be passed onto parents. In the event of theft, the College must be notified immediately and a Police Report number will be required.

The Year Two/Three String Program Loan Agreement outlines the expectations and responsibilities of parents if such incidents occur. This online document needs to be completed and then submitted electronically to the College by Week Five, Term One.

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Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Tailgut Endpin

Home Practice Your teacher will be specific as to the duration and regularity with which home practice should be taking place. To put it general terms, home practice is like training with a sporting team or studying for a test, the best results occur over short but regular practice sessions.

The idea of practice is not to work on the things we can already do, but to work on the sections that are challenging and extra require work.

Playing pieces for fun is always encouraged, but always allow time to work on techniques and passages which need attention, as directed by the teacher. Playing for family members should be encouraged as it improves confidence and performance presentation.

Short practice sessions multiple times during the week is better than practicing for one hour the day before your next lesson. Obviously, you and your child will need to agree to a practice schedule that works with your day to day family schedule, and this can relieve some of the pressure parents and students feel when trying to fit another activity/commitment into an already busy schedule.

Students will all be learning from one or more of the following method books: ‘Vamoosh’ violin or viola book 1 by Thomas Gregory.

Backing tracks are available online using the link: Vamoosh_String_1_Backing_Tracks.zip “Strings in Step for Cello” by Jan Dobbins. Backing tracks are available online using the following link: https://global.oup.com/booksites/content/9780193221383/audio/ This is a good tool to use when learning to play in time with accurate rhythm. Backing tracks can be played directly from the website or downloaded as mp3 files with which you can create a playlist on a device.

“Strictly Strings” Bass Book 1 by J. Dillon, J. Kjelland and J. O’Reilly.

Please provide a space for productive practice in your home and we advise that siblings (younger or older) should not have any contact with your son’s instrument, as it can potentially result in damage to the instrument. Students need to remain seated or standing in one place when playing their instrument.

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String Orchestra The Year 2/3 String Orchestra will commence for Year Three in Week Five of Term One during the school day (Fridays at 11.15am – 12.15pm) in the Junior Music Room.

Year Two will join the Year 2/3 String Orchestra rehearsals later in the term.

Being in an ensemble is a significant learning experience for all of our music students as it contextualises a range of skills being taught in the music classroom and the instrumental lesson. Orchestra not only enriches a student’s learning and joy for playing with others but also provides instruction on the following music disciplines such as: Performance etiquette Following a conductor Playing your instrument in tune with others Blending and balancing of individual parts within an ensemble Exploring music theory in context Exposure to new music theory concepts which correspond to the National Music Curriculum Student to student learning

Performance opportunities will also be available throughout the year, such as the Aquinas Music Eisteddfod, Junior School Open Evening, Catholic Performing Arts Festival and a final concert in Semester Two.

10 Year 2 & 3 String Program Information

Chris McMillan Head of Arts Gabby Scheggia/Chris Hall Junior School Music Coordinators Isa Main Music Administration

9450 0663 Chris.Mcmillan@aquinas.wa.edu.au 9450 0405 Gabrielle.Scheggia@aquinas.wa.edu.au Chris.Hall@aquinas.wa.edu.au 9450 0654 Aquinas.Music@aquinas.wa.edu.au

Student Testimonials “I’ve really enjoyed playing and Violin, learning new songs and getting to play music with my friends. I’ve loved being a part of String Orchestra because I get to hear all the different String instruments playing together - and it sounds great”.

Ronald Tyler

“I’ve loved learning Double Bass. Learning different notes and chords as well as getting to socialise and meet new people in Orchestra has been fantastic. I’ve especially enjoyed learning the piece easy streets because it is a very fun piece. My teacher is very kind and nice and has helped me to learn the instrument. I will be continuing playing double bass next year. Thank-You Mr Montgomery for helping me with my Double Bass lessons”.

Robert Ponferrada

“I’ve enjoyed playing the Double Bass because the sound we make with the Cellos, Violins and Violas is amazing. The harmonics are relaxing and makes you sleepy! One thing I’ve learnt is no matter how many times you make a mistake the other parts of Orchestra back you up”.

Oliver Johnson

“I’ve enjoyed learning Cello. Playing Twinkle Twinkle is fun and now I can remember the whole piece. I wouldn’t have done it without Mrs Day - she is a fantastic Cello teacher. I will be continuing Cello next year. Music has been fun in Year 3!”

William Chan “I have enjoyed playing the violin because the sound of everyone playing it together is very satisfying. I have been learning easy streets which is my favourite song because it’s the shortest and the best”.

Harrison Osbrough 11

Brian Kruger Violin

9450 0654 brian.kruger@aquinas.wa.edu.au

Jane Johnston Viola

9450 0654 jane.johnston@aquinas.wa.edu.au

Amber Day Cello

9450 0654 Amber.Day@aquinas.wa.edu.au

Kirsty Collins Double Bass

9450 0654 kirsty.collins@aquinas.wa.edu.au