Congratulations

The Association of Heads of Music in Non-Government Schools (AHOMINGS), has developed criteria to acknowledge and recognise the outstanding work, support and contribution of instrumental music and vocal tutors within our association schools.

AHOMINGS is an organisation that facilitates professional engagement, support and networking and are aware that instrumental music tutors contribution and long service is not necessarily recognised outside the music department that they work in, and as an organisation felt it was important to highlight their contribution.

To this end, two awards were put forward for Heads of Music to nominate one music tutor per year for each award; the Don Burrows Award for Recognition of Long Service for Music Tutors in Independent Schools and the Bob Hower Award for Exemplary Contribution of Music Tutors in Independent Schools.

It is with great pleasure that two of our long serving tutors were recipients of the Don Burrows Award; Karen Fletcher and Jennifer Stokes.

Karen Fletcher has taught flute at Wilderness since 1991, working with beginner flautists up to players undertaking the highest Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) exams and the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). She has been a tutor in the Year 4 Band Program as well as the conductor of our two flute ensembles for over 25 years. Her dedication and commitment to all her students is unparalleled. Karen works at several other independent schools across Adelaide and received nominations from more than one Head of Music.

Jennifer Stokes began teaching piano at Wilderness in 1988 and since this time she has developed hundreds of budding pianists and helped guide their musical journey through their school years and beyond. Her dedication to the holistic music education of her pupils is undeniable. Jennifer also received more than one nomination from the schools she has worked in, and this is a testament to her service and contribution.

Warren Heading, who began teaching at Wilderness in 2004, was acknowledged as a recipient of the Bob Hower Award. It recognises his significant and noteworthy contribution to the profession including individual trumpet teaching and taking ensembles. This award recognises Warren’s service in several schools across Adelaide where he has been a committed and long-standing educator.

Like Don Burrows and Bob Hower, Jennifer, Karen and Warren were recognised for their consistent, passionate and far reaching influence on generations of musicians in independent, nongovernment schools in South Australia and we congratulate them on their achievement.

Anna Lenartowicz Head of Music