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Parent

Handbook 2026

“Aim at something excellent, our life is largely influenced by what we aim at.” Mother Gonzaga Barry

Preface

Music plays an important role in the holistic education of students at Loreto College. Music has the capacity to benefit positively on a child’s development. There is an ever-growing body of research that highlights the skills and benefits that participation in music education provides, specifically in the areas of social skills, emotional development, auditory processing, and language development (Anita Collins, 2021).

Philosophy

The Music Performance Program at Loreto College aims to enrich the lives of every student at the College through the medium of music education. The College’s expert and inspirational staff empower students in the Music Performance Program to approach new challenges with confidence whilst equipping them to be successful contributors to the College and broader community.

Key Staff and Contact Information

Communication

A strong partnership between parents and staff plays a vital role in supporting student outcomes in the Music Performance Program Information regarding the Music Performance Program will be distributed via email, the College newsletter, Parent Portal and the College app.

Important contact information for key staff within the Music Performance Program are listed above.

An updated contact list of Instrumental Teachers will be provided to students and parents/carers at the beginning of each year.

Music Performance Program Activities

All students at Loreto College have the opportunity to participate in the ensemble-based Music Performance Program Loreto operates a range of instrumental and vocal ensembles defined as either a Core Ensemble and Extension Ensemble. Student involvement in the Music Performance Program is focused on participation in performance groups and is supported by enrolment in either group or private instrumental lessons on the instrument relevant to the ensemble. Involvement in Loreto ensembles requires students to undertake lessons in private or small group tuition either at the College or externally For students to be eligible to enrol in vocal lessons, they must be a current member of a Loreto choir.

Students enrolled in external tuition are required to provide contact information for their teacher to Loreto annually.

Ensemble Offerings

Students are required to participate in a core ensemble for each instrument they play within the Music Performance Program, unless negotiated with the Program Leader – Music. The following core ensembles are offered within the Music Performance Program:

Wind Orchestra

Concert Band

Wind Ensemble

Junior Band

Chamber Strings

Sinfonia Strings

Continuo Strings

Junior Strings

Senior Choir

Junior Choir

Primary Choir

Guitar Ensemble 1

Guitar Ensemble 2

Extension ensembles are available to students who have met their obligation to participate in a core ensemble and are seeking additional challenges and engagement in the Music Performance Program. The following extension ensembles are offered within the Music Performance Program:

Big Band

Jazz Ensemble*

Sorelle

Exit Stage Left

Senior Chorale

Percussion Ensemble 1

Percussion Ensemble 2

Clarinet Ensemble

Flute Ensemble

Saxophone Ensemble

Brass Ensemble

Chamber Choir

Combined Choir

Loreto Soloists

*Core ensemble placements for pianists are limited and some piano students may be placed in Jazz Ensemble as their core ensemble.

Rehearsal schedules are published each term and are available on the Parent Portal, College app and displayed on the noticeboard in the Mary Ward Centre.

Performances

Students are involved in a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year The general expectation is for one performance per term per ensemble. Performances may include concerts at Loreto, music camps, fetes, community performances, and other external concerts.

Participation in ensemble performances is an integral part of Music Performance Program and attendance at all scheduled performances is compulsory Concert performances are strategically scheduled to maximise learning outcomes and present the development of musical skills to our extended community.

Tuition

Curriculum

Instrumental and Vocal tuition at Loreto College is structured around a curriculum framework, allowing students to develop sequential and cumulative skills on their musical journey The curriculum enables Loreto Music Performance Program staff to meet each student at their current level of experience and design suitably challenging and stimulating lessons to ensure a student’s continual progress.

Tuition Options

The Music Performance Program offers tuition on the following instruments:

Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

Woodwind - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Basson

Brass - Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Percussion - Lessons cover a range of specific disciplines including untuned, tuned and drum kit

Guitar - Classical and Bass Guitar

Voice

Piano Music Theory

Loreto College Coorparoo offers an ensemble-based program whereby students undertaking instrumental or vocal tuition are required to participate in an ensemble on that instrument.

Enrolments/Lesson Fees

To enrol your daughter for lessons, parents must complete the online Enrolment Form. Tuition is primarily offered on an individual basis; however shared lessons of 2 students are available if an appropriate pairing of students is possible.

Students will be billed for a total of 32 lessons across the year:

Term 1 - 9 lessons

Term 2 - 8 lessons

Term 3 - 9 lessons

Term 4 - 6 lessons

Tuition fees for 2026 are as follows:

Individual 30-minute Lesson - $45 per lesson

Shared 30-minute Lesson** - $28 per lesson

**Shared lessons are only available for a period of 12 months. At the conclusion of this period, it is expected that students’ progress to individual tuition.

Please note that extended lesson times are available upon request for advanced students in consultation with the Program Leader – Music

GST may be payable on the fees listed above if your daughter’s Instrumental Teacher is registered for GST payments.

Tuition invoices will be prepared and distributed by your daughters Instrumental Teacher prior to the commencement of each term. Payment of the tuition fee is expected within 14 days of receipt of the invoice. Musictutorsmayapplyadditionalfeestoinvoicesthatarenotpaid within14days.

Lesson Procedure

It is our aim to schedule students for their lesson on the same day each week, however, their time will rotate through the day to avoid missing the same class each week for their music lesson. Out of class lesson times (non-contact) are offered to senior students and students learning more than one instrument. Students are to depart their academic class 5 minutes before their lesson is scheduled to commence.

Lesson timetables are prepared for the term in advanceand distributed to parents and students via email, as well as displayed on the Timetable noticeboard in the Mary Ward Centre.

Discontinuation of Lessons

Students enrolling in the Music Performance Program are expected to make a commitment for a full year. Any concerns regarding enrolments should be raised and discussed with the Program Leader – Music. If in the unfortunate circumstance that a student wishes to discontinue their music tuition, parents/carers must complete a Change of Enrolment form Enrolments may be adjusted at the end of Term 3 and 4 provided a Change of Enrolment form has been submitted to the Program Leader – Music via the Music Office by the dates listed below:

Friday 28 August 2026 for adjustment at the end of Term 3 2026

Friday 6 November 2026 for adjustment at the end of Term 4 2026

Notification of lesson discontinuation after the dates listed above will incur next term’s tuition fees.

Changes of enrolment at the conclusion of Term 1 and 2 may be requested in consultation with the Program Leader – Music if there are extenuating circumstances surrounding your daughter’s enrolment.

Discontinuation of tuition may also result in the student’s withdrawal from the ensemble program in accordance with the College’s policy regarding ensemble requirements.

Music Scholarships

Loreto College is proud to offer scholarship opportunities for students involved in the Music Performance Program each year. Limited full and part scholarships are funded through the Music Support Group.

Full year scholarships are available to assist families with Music Tuition fees. Full year scholarships are only available to continuing students and are not offered to incoming Year 7 students.

Instrument specific scholarships are also made available each year for students to learn particular instruments for which there is a specific need within the Music Performance Program. These scholarships are usually offered exclusively to students in Year 7 and 8.

Applications for scholarships are distributed in November in preparation for the forthcoming year

Further information regarding the Music Performance Program scholarships can be found in the MPP Scholarship Information document.

Instrument Hire and Storage

Instrument Hire

Loreto College has a limited number of instruments available for hire through the College. Short term loans (up to 12 months) are available for students who have an instrument away for repair or are transitioning to the College and play a smaller instrument. Students who learn larger instruments such as Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, French horn, Euphonium, Tuba and Double bass may be able to hire an instrument for the duration of the student’s enrolment.

Students are expected to cover any incidental costs for their instrument. These include reeds, cork grease, valve oil, tuning slide grease, rosin and strings.

Instrument Storage

An instrument storeroom, instrument racks and lockers are available for all students to utilise. Instruments should be clearly marked on the outside of the case with the student’s name, address, and phone number. Students must not store instruments in the general mezzanine foyer area of the Mary Ward Centre

Student Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to:

Attend their weekly lesson with instrument and learning materials/resources

Practice regularly, as directed by their teacher

Attend all scheduled ensemble rehearsals and performances

Check and read emails sent by their teacher, Music Administration Assistant and the Program Leader – Music

Inform their teacher/ensemble director of any known absences in advance.

Lesson Absences Absences from Lessons and Ensemble Rehearsals

Attendance for all scheduled lessons is compulsory. If a student is aware of an upcoming absence due to another school-based activity (camp, excursion, immersion, assessment, etc) they are required to undertake the following steps:

Contact their teacher via email with a minimum48hours’notice. Students are encouraged to provide as much notice as possible.

Attempt to organise a lesson swap with another student on their teacher’s timetable. Any self-organised lesson swaps must be confirmed with the student’s teacher and the Music Administration Assistant.

If a student is absent the day of a scheduled lesson due to illness, the following procedure should be followed:

Notify the Teacher and the Music Office of your daughter’s absence before 7.00am by emailing the relevant teacher and music@loreto.qld.edu.au or calling 3394 9922.

Notice of a student’s absence to the Main Office does not ensure that Music staff receive this information by 7.00am.

Ifsufficientnoticeforanabsenceisprovidedthelessoncanberescheduledtoalaterdate. Ifnotificationisnotreceivedwithinthetimeframelistedabove,thenthelessonwillbe forfeitedandincurtheregularfee.

Parents/carers will receive notification via email of any unexplained absences from your daughter’s music teacher. If a student accumulates three unexplained absences in a term, the student will be referred to the Program Leader – Music to resolve the situation

Rehearsal Absences

Attendance for all scheduled rehearsals is compulsory. If a student is aware of an upcoming absence due to another school-based activity (camp, excursion, immersion, assessment, etc) they are required to contact their ensemble director with a minimum 48 hours’ notice

If a student is absent the day of a scheduled lesson due to illness the following procedure should be followed:

Notify the ensemble director and the Music Office of your daughter’s absence as soon as possible by emailing the relevant teacher and music@loreto.qld.edu.au or calling 3394 9922.

Please note, a list of ensemble directors and their contact information can be found on the Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule located on the Parent Portal and College app

Parents/carers will receive notification via email of any unexplained absences from your daughter’s ensemble director. If a student accumulates two unexplained absences in a term, the ensemble director will request a meeting with the student.

If a third unexplained absence is recorded, the student will be referred to the Program Leader –Music to find a suitable resolution to the situation and may include suspension from the Music Performance Program.

Clashes with Music Performance Program rehearsals and other College activities

If a clash occurs between a Music commitment and another College activity the student should contact their ensemble director and relevant coach or staff member to advise of the clash as soon as possible. The Program Leaders for Music and Sport will have arrangements in place to support equal participation in both activities. It is the College’s expectation that school-based activities take precedence over external activities and as such, arrangements to support split attendance with an external activity may not be possible

Music Support Group

Along with the expertise provided by the College and its staff, the Music Performance Program is supported by the very motivated parent body of the Music Support Group. The Music Support Group supports the Music Performance Program through the organisation of social events and fundraising initiatives. Funds generated by the Music Support Group are invested back into the program, supporting the College’s Music Scholarship program, and assisting with the purchase of new instruments and equipment If you would like to become involved in supporting your daughter’s music education, you can register your interest by contacting music@loreto.qld.edu.au or by completing the linked form.

The Music Support Group meet once a month during school terms. Dates and times can be found on the Music Support Group page on the College’s website

Music Performance Program Uniform

Most performing ensembles in the Music Performance Program wear our performance uniform. The uniform is available to order through the Music Shop on Flexischools or the Music Office in person

Pricing for the uniform is as follows:

Black performance top $56

Black performance pants $76

Students will wear polished black shoes and socks with the performance uniform.

The following ensembles do not wear the performance uniform and wear their formal uniform for performances (including blazers in Terms 2 and 3).

Junior Band

Junior Strings

Primary Choir

Junior Choir

Service Badges Awards

Each year, Loreto recognises student achievement in Music Performance Program through the distribution of service badges and presentation of excellence awards at the annual Ceremony of Excellence

Service badges are awarded to students who have completed extensive service across cultural activities in the College.

Badges are awarded for:

Blue - 350 hours service

Gold - 600 hours service

Cultural Excellence Awards

Cultural Excellence in Music will be awarded at the Ceremony of Excellence to students who have achieved one or more of the following in that calendar year:

a Grade of 6 or higher in a recognised Music Examinations Body. Recognised bodies include those which are recognised by the QCAA through the Queensland Certificate of Education. `https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/certificates-andqualifications/qce/recognisedstudies/ lists-recognised studies a placing in an advanced section at a recognised Community Eisteddfod or Competition a member of a community performance group which perform at an advanced level such as the Queensland Youth Orchestra and Young Conservatorium.

Sister Mary Muirhead Junior Music Award

Students in Year 10 are eligible for the Sister Mary Muirhead Junior Music Award. Applicants should list ensemble participation from Years 5 – 10. They should also include any other musical events including the musical, tour groups, Loreto Music Festival and external music groups that they have participated in. Students should identify the instruments/voice/music theory they are learning, and any grades achieved.

Sister Juliana Couglan Award for Creative Arts

Students in Year 12 may nominate for the Sister Juliana Couglan Award for Creative Arts. This award is given to the student who has contributed most to the school in the area of the Creative Arts. This student should also have demonstrated the qualities of school spirit and excellent ambassadorship for the arts in the community.

Sister Deirdre Browne OAM IBVM

Contribution to Music Award

#loretomusic

The Loreto Coorparoo community acknowledges the Yuggera and Turrbal people, the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin, the land and waters on which the school stands, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and leaders of tomorrow as the holders of the memories, the traditions, the culture and the spiritual wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across the nation We are enriched by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living spiritualities and celebrate current and past Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our Loreto community We commit ourselves to justice and reconciliation

Music Performance Program Parent Handbook 2026