WANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL
Handbook for INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
INTRODUCTION
Wangaratta High School has proudly offered an extensive Instrumental Music Program to its students for many decades. Our well-established program encourages students to become involved in making high quality music, to make friends and socialise with students in other year levels and develop confidence in presenting and performing to their peers and to the whole school and wider community. Through weekly lessons, rehearsals, camps/workshops, tours, and performances many students develop an engagement with music that continues beyond the school gates and enriches our wider community.
WHAT WE OFFER
The Wangaratta High School Instrumental Music Program offers tailored lessons in a broad range of musical instruments with level appropriate bands and ensembles.
STAFF
At Wangaratta High School we have a team of Instrumental Music Teachers supported by the Education Department who offer lessons in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Bass Guitar.
In 2025 the Music Staff are:
Scott Solimo
Leading Teacher/Performing Arts
Learning Area Leader/ Bands Leader
Keyna Masin
Instrumental Music Program Leader
Carlia Van Hoorn
Laurence Adorni-Dickson
Gary McDonald
Classroom
Flute, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Classroom/ Clarinet, Saxophone
Classroom/ Bass Guitar
Percussion
LESSONS
Students are scheduled to attend one 28-minute lesson per week where they are withdrawn from class on a rotational basis. Lessons tend to be in small groups (no more than 4 students).
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Over the years Wangaratta High School has offered various bands all curated to the skill level and number of students available. Currently the school has four major bands, most of which require weekly after school rehearsal. Placement of students in these ensembles is at the discretion of the music teachers and conductor and is based on the student’s performance level.
Band Level Conductor Rehearsal Schedule
Beginner Band Beginner students (less than 1 year of lessons)
Concert Band Students have had at least 1 year of lessons
Symphonic Band Students have typically had 3-5 years of lessons
Stage Band Students have had 2-3 years of lessons
Scott Solimo Thursday 3.30pm –4.15pm
Scott Solimo Wednesday 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Scott Solimo Monday 3.30pm –4.45pm
Scott Solimo TBC 11.20 – 12pm (During Lunch Break)
SMALLER ENSEMBLES
We also have a variety of smaller elective ensembles currently running including a senior Saxophone Quartet and Flute Trio. These ensembles vary from year to year based on student availability and interest. If you are interested in playing in a particular kind of ensemble that we don’t currently offer, please speak to your instrumental teacher.
COSTS INVOLVED
The lessons we offer are FREE, but students are required to pay an annual participation fee of $240 ($60 per term). This fee is not a voluntary contribution. This assists with the purchase and maintenance of band equipment and music, and the provision of snacks for students prior to Band rehearsals.
Students are required to purchase or hire an instrument when becoming involved in the program. Wangaratta High School owns a compliment of Instruments available to rent for an annual hire fee of $50. Music staff can provide further information regarding hire & purchase of instruments. There are a small number of scholarship instruments available on a yearly basis for families experiencing financial hardship
RENTING TO BUY
For students beginning in the program from 2025 onwards, a renting to buy option for Flutes, Clarinets, Alto Saxophones, and Trumpets is available. Music staff can provide further information regarding renting to buy.
EXPECTATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS
CONDUCT
Students are expected to demonstrate a professional approach at rehearsals and performances. They are also expected to show respect and appreciation towards staff, volunteers, supporters, and fellow band members.
ATTENDANCE
Weekly attendance at Lessons and Ensemble is a requirement for being involved in the Instrumental Music Program. Learning to play music requires a regular commitment. Students who miss lessons &/or band rehearsals will have a letter or email sent home to parents.
Students are also expected to be available for a small range of public performances and camps/tours.
HOME PRACTICE
Home practice is essential for the development of the young musician. We expect students to have a space at home where they can practice for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week. They will need a music stand and a pencil and will be provided with music to practice.
UNIFORM
For rehearsals, students are expected to be in School Uniform. Performance uniforms are as follows:
Beginner Band
Concert Band
Symphonic Band
Full school uniform. Long pants.
Black dress shoes, black socks, black pants/skirt (below knee), a solid-coloured shirt with collar (3/4 to full length sleeve). NO JEANS, SPORTS PANTS, OR SPORTS SHOES.
Black dress shoes, black socks, black pants/skirt (below knee), a black collared shirt (3/4 to full length sleeve). Black tie is optional. NO JEANS, NO SPORTS PANTS, OR SPORTS SHOES.
Camp/Tour Uniform A Tour Shirt (provided by the Music Support Group at no cost to the student) and jeans or dark coloured pants. Tour hats are also provided.
ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLE INFORMATION
CAMPS/TOURS
Every year our Instrumental Music students partake in a range of activities and performances within their ensemble.
The Beginner Band has an intensive three-day camp at the beginning of Term 2, which involves extended lessons, extended band rehearsals, extended practice time, team building activities, and free time.
The Concert Band has an intrastate camp/tour in mid-winter for four to five days. This camp includes performances at Primary Schools and Kindergartens, tourist activities, team building exercises, and free time.
The Symphonic Band tours every year (interstate biannually) for five to seven days. This tour includes multiple public performances, performances at Primary and Secondary Schools, tourist activities, team building exercises, and free time.
CONCERTS
We have a Mid-Year and End of Year Concert which showcase all our bands, some smaller ensembles, and solo performances. These are evening performances held in the Wangaratta High School Performing Arts Centre and are a fantastic way of seeing what your child has achieved within the program.
OTHER ACTIVITES
Our Symphonic Band performs yearly at our school ANZAC service, and our senior students come together for a final time to play in the ‘Santa Band’ performing Christmas Carols at Northeast Health Wangaratta, and various nursing homes and kindergartens in the area. Last year we reintroduced a local Primary School Performance Day where we took our Concert Band to perform at several of the local Primary Schools. This was great performance experience for our students, and a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the community the program that we offer at Wangaratta High School.
Some of these excursions come with an additional cost. We have payment plans available, as well as the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) available for families with a Concession Card registered with the School. We can also provide information for outside bodies who may be willing to sponsor a student to attend these extra-curricular activities.
BAND CAPTAINS/ INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LEADERS
Every year Instrumental Music Staff elect four students from both the Concert and Symphonic Bands to act as leaders within the program. The positions are open to all students in the program who are willing to meet the responsibilities outlined below.
Band Captains will be required to undertake the following:
1. Maintain a minimum attendance record of 75% present (at both lessons and band rehearsals)
2. Symphonic Band Captains will be required to attend and actively participate in at least two rehearsals of Beginner Band in each of terms two and three.
3. Band Captains will be expected to model excellence in rehearsal etiquette, musicianship, and collaboration with the conductor.
4. Band Captains will be required to assist in the set-up of their own ensemble rehearsal. They will also need to stay at the rehearsal and do a last check of the stage to make sure that no drinks, items of clothing, notes, and/or music are left on the stage after rehearsal. Captains will also assist with the maintenance of Band Folders at the end of rehearsal, ensuring they are neat, up to date & in numerical order.
5. Band Captains will assist staff with organising before rehearsal snacks and encourage students to move to stage and begin tuning so the band rehearsal starts on time.
6. Represent the School and their Band in the broader community, on camps/ tours and at events where required.
7. Assist staff with other duties on tours and at concerts.
8. To encourage other band students to do their best and strive for excellence.
9. To listen to and support other band students. If required, be a voice for the students and communicate suggestions for improvements to music staff.
Applications will open early in Term One.
CARE & STORAGE OF YOUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
In the first instrumental music lesson students will be shown how to assemble and care for their musical instrument. It is important that their musical instrument is kept in a safe place at home and that other family members do not touch or play the musical instrument. The Music Department has a storage room for musical instruments when they are brought to the school (for a lesson or band rehearsal). Students must have their name on their musical instrument case.
COMMUNICATION
CONTACTING STAFF
The best method to contact Instrumental Music staff is via email.
STAFF
Scott Solimo
Keyna Masin
Carlia Van Hoorn
Laurence AdorniDickson
Gary McDonald
scott.solimo@education.vic.gov.au
Keyna.masin@education.vic.gov.au
Carlia.vanhoorn@education.vic.gov.au
Laurence.adorni-dickson@education.vic.gov.au
Gary.mcdonald@education.vic.gov.au
Alternatively, you can call the front office on (03) 5723 0500
REPORTING
Students enrolled in the Instrumental Music Program do receive a report from their instrumental music teacher. This report is based on their participation over the semester. If you would like more regular updates on how your child is progressing, you can contact their instrumental music teacher.
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
As well as providing your child with a musical instrument (hire/buy), Parents can be interested in their child’s learning, attend concerts, occasionally attend rehearsals, provide a good practice space at home and be positive about your child’s progress. Positive feedback and encouragement can make a huge difference in your child’s musical journey.
MUSIC PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
The Music Support Group in a not-for-profit fundraising group made up of community volunteers that support the music department and assists at concerts. They are essential in making our program affordable for all students. They meet once a term. Interested parents are most welcome. Please contact our Instrumental Music Program Leader, Keyna Masin at keyna.masin@education.vic.gov.au for further information.
I WANT MY CHILD TO LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
We run our information night and intake during the first few weeks of Term 1. It’s important for our program that the majority of new students sign up and start learning at the same time so that the cohort are all playing at the same level. However, we will accept late enrolments into the program.
If you missed the music sign up night, please reach out to our Instrumental Music Program Leader, Keyna Masin at keyna.masin@education.vic.gov.au
