MUSIC INFORMATION

HANDBOOK 2019

TABLEOFCONTENTS

TABLEOFCONTENTS.....................................................................................................................................................2WELCOME...........................................................................................................................................................................3INSTRUMENTALMUSICPROGRAM............................................................................................................................4INSTRUMENTAL&VOCALMUSICLESSONS.........................................................................................................................4ENSEMBLEGUIDELINES...............................................................................................................................................................4PERCUSSION.......................................................................................................................................................................................4HOWDOIGETINVOLVEDINTHEINSTRUMENTALMUSICPROGRAM?..................................................................5PRACTICEEXPECTATIONS...........................................................................................................................................................5

ENSEMBLEREHEARSALSCHEDULE2019................................................................................................................6MUSICDEPARTMENTSTAFF–2019..........................................................................................................................6MUSICCALENDAR2019.................................................................................................................................................7TERM1..................................................................................................................................................................................................7TERM2..................................................................................................................................................................................................7TERM3..................................................................................................................................................................................................7TERM4..................................................................................................................................................................................................7

IMPORTANTTHINGSYOUNEEDTOKNOW............................................................................................................8GENERALINFORMATION..............................................................................................................................................9MUSICLEVY.........................................................................................................................................................................................9MUSICPROGRAMCOMMITMENT..............................................................................................................................................9SOLONIGHTS......................................................................................................................................................................................9RIAMUSICGIGNIGHT..................................................................................................................................................................10MUSICCAMP....................................................................................................................................................................................10BANDSFESTIVAL,PRODUCTIONANDCHOIREISTEDDFOD......................................................................................10SEMESTERMUSICNIGHTS........................................................................................................................................................11INDUSTRYNIGHT..........................................................................................................................................................................11BANDTOUR......................................................................................................................................................................................11VCEMUSICANDVCEVETMUSICNIGHTS...........................................................................................................................11HIREOFINSTRUMENTS.............................................................................................................................................................11INSTRUMENTREPAIRS...............................................................................................................................................................12COMMUNICATION.........................................................................................................................................................................12MUSICFOLDERS.............................................................................................................................................................................12MUSICAREAS..................................................................................................................................................................................12

PERFORMANCEUNIFORMS.......................................................................................................................................13BEGINNER,CONCERT&STAGEBANDENSEMBLES......................................................................................................13CHOIR..................................................................................................................................................................................................13

REHEARSALS..................................................................................................................................................................14REHEARSALDAYS.........................................................................................................................................................................14REHEARSALETIQUETTE...........................................................................................................................................................14

WELCOME

Welcome to a new year of Music making at Rowville Secondary College.

For new students to the College, this handbook serves as a guide to the Music Department and the opportunities it offers in classroom and instrumental music. We encourage you to explore the fun possibilities that playing music can have on your time at Rowville Secondary College.

For continuing students, thank you for your continued support of your child’s musical endeavours. This handbook will be a useful reminder of important dates as well as the ongoing responsibilities students have to their teachers and ensembles.

In the RSC Instrumental Music Program, students have opportunities to:

• Perform at state level in competitions and festivals • Participate in the Band Tour in December

• Perform at school performances, events and functions

• Attend the much-loved Music Camp

• Make many life-long friends from across the college

We look forward to seeing all music students and ensembles at the various performances we have planned for 2019. If you have any questions, please contact the music department via music@rowvillesc.vic.edu.au

Jake Johnson – Co-Head of Music – East

Viv McPherson – Co-Head of Music - West

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL MUSIC LESSONS Tuition is offered to students on the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion (including drumkit), Guitar, Bass and Voice. Piano tuition is also available at the school in “private lessons”, meaning that it is not subsidised by State Government funding.

ENSEMBLE GUIDELINES

Performing in an ensemble is one of the most valuable and enjoyable aspects to learning music. In Victorian Government schools, this is also a mandatory component, with students’ lessons subsidised based on participation in a relevant ensemble.

As such, the following large ensembles are core ensembles, where one relevant ensemble is compulsory for all instrumental music students.

• Beginner Band (all new instrumental students except guitar) • Intermediate Concert Band (students who graduate from Beginner Band) • Senior Concert Band (our most advanced concert band) • Choir (all voice students at all levels of ability) • Guitar Ensemble (all guitar students at all levels of ability) Participation in one of these ensembles is compulsory for all VCE Music students, regardless of whether lessons are at school or external. Senior Stage Band and Production Band are selection-only ensembles for students of a proficient standard to join in addition to the ensembles above. These ensembles are considered extension work and are by selection only.

Other opportunities throughout the year may occur for students to join chamber groups such as a Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Improv Ensemble. Please see Mr Johnson or Mrs McPherson for more information.

PERCUSSION

The aim of the percussion course at Rowville Secondary College is to produce students who are multi-skilled, musical and generally competent in all areas of percussion – Mallet Percussion, Snare Drum, Timpani, Kit and a wide range of Hand Percussion. This

requires serious study and regular, consistent practice. It is important to note that the Drum Kit is only one element of the percussion group and is not taught in isolation.

It is very important that all percussion students take responsibility for the care and protection of the school’s percussion instruments. These are provided for the use of the percussionists only, and their replacement costs run into many tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, all players should do whatever they can to look after the equipment without which there would be no percussion program. To neglect this responsibility may forfeit a student’s position in the percussion program.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM?

• All students from either campus; MSA, GE, RIA and RSA are welcome in the Instrumental Music Program. From beginners to advanced, our music tutors are fun, hard-working and can equally prepare you for VCE Music or simply to enjoy an extra-curricular activity whilst at high school.

• All students need to apply by filling out an Instrumental Music Program application form and returning this at the beginning of each year. Forms are available from the Music Office or on the Rowville School Website: https://www.rowvillesc.vic.edu.au/opportunities-for-all/instrumental-music/ Click on Download Instrumental Music Enrolment Form.

• All instrumental lessons are subject to the availability of the teacher of that instrument. Please enquire with us about availability on your preferred instrument (including voice).

• If you’re not sure what you would like to learn, you can be part of one of the many music tryout sessions that take place across the calendar year.

• It is expected that all students will remain in the program for the calendar year and will participate in all performance activities. Any student wishing to withdraw from the music program must do so in writing at the end of the year.

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS

Finally, a word about the importance of practice: all musicians practice, and all music students need to practice too. A little bit every day is better than one long practice. Your practice routine should include warm ups, technical work and repertoire. Please ensure your practice routine becomes part of your weekly routine at home.

ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2019

Ensemble Rehearsal Day Start time Finish time Campus Conductor

Beginner Band

Wednesday – Starting Term 2

7.45 A.M. 8.45 A.M. West Music Room

Jake Johnson

Intermediate Ensemble Tuesday 7.45 A.M. 8.45 A.M.

West Music Room

Viv McPherson

Senior Concert Band

Thursday 7.45 A.M. 8.45 A.M. West Music Room

Kenton Smith

Senior Big Band Friday 7.45 A.M. 8.45 A.M.

West Music Room

Viv McPherson

Choir Friday 7.45 A.M. 8.45 A.M. East Music Room

Jess Tyler

Production Band Monday 3.30 P.M. 5.00 P.M.

East Music Room

Jake Johnson

MUSIC DEPARTMENT STAFF – 2019 Jake Johnson – Co-Head of Music – Eastern Campus, Production Band, Beginner Band Viv McPherson – Co-Head of Music – West, Intermediate Ensemble, Senior Stage Band, Woodwind Wednesday - Friday Mandy Batten – Music Admin – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Kenton Smith – Senior Concert Band, Brass, Thursday Brian Czempinski – Drum kit, Percussion, Monday Nick Priest – Guitar – Tuesday, Wednesday Tony Priest – Drum kit, Percussion – Thursday Jess Tyler – Voice – Thursday, Friday Pav Chudiak – Bass – Monday Martin Zakharov – Woodwind – Tuesday Lana Raftopoulos – Piano - Wednesday

MUSIC CALENDAR 2019

TERM 1 Rowville School Community Picnic Lessons commence week 3. Monday, March 25th Year 7 Recruitment Day (East PAC) Monday, March 25th - Information Night Tuesday, March 26th – Information Night

TERM 2 Wednesday, April 17th – Junior Band Commences Monday May 20th, – Solo Nights – PAC Tuesday May 21st – Solo Nights – PAC Monday May 27th, – Solo Nights – PAC Tuesday, May 28th – Solo Nights - PAC Monday June 3rd - Tuesday June 4th – RIA Music Gig Night – External Venue Thursday, June 13th - Semester One Music Night - PAC

TERM 3 Thursday – Saturday, July 18th – 20th – Music Camp August 1st – 11th – Production – PAC Monday, September 2nd – VCE Music Night Unit 4 – Dance Studio 1 Monday, September 16th – VET Music Night - PAC

TERM 4 Industry night: Week 2 (TBC) Thursday – Friday, October 17th – 18th VET Music Exam Monday, October 28th - VCE Music Night Unit 2 – Dance Studio 1 Monday, November 18th - Year 7 2020 Tryouts Thursday, November 21st - Semester Two Music Night - PAC December TBC - Choir & Band @ Peppertree Hill Primary School Band Tour: Dec approx. the 11th / 12th - TBC

IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Students will receive an instrumental/vocal lesson time, rotating through the periods on the same day that their instrumental teacher is available each week. 2. Students will require the following equipment at the start of each year: Their Instrument, Music Stand, HB Pencil & Eraser, Tutor books, Spare Reeds / Valve Oil / Cleaning Cloth / Drum Sticks etc 3. If students are receiving an instrumental/vocal lesson at the school, they are required to be a member of a major School Ensemble, e.g. a Concert Band or Choir. 4. Students who are having singing lessons and/or a part of RIA must belong to the Choir. 5. Students must be punctual. 6. Students must attend all lessons & rehearsals, with the required equipment. A student’s position in the program will be reviewed when more than two unexplained absences from either lesson and/or ensemble rehearsals occur. 7. All absences must be explained by email before or immediately after any lesson, rehearsal or performance to the conductor/teacher. Notification of absences from major events such as the Victorian Schools Music Festival must be put in writing to Viv McPherson or Jake Johnson prior to the specific event. 8. Students need to wear the required performance uniform. 9. Students need to check COMPASS prior to their music lesson for their lesson time and what they need to prepare. 10. Students must practice their instrument regularly; fulfilling their weekly requirements for lessons and rehearsals. 11. During the day, instruments may be stored in the shelves available in the music department or student’s lockers. Students MUST NOT leave their instruments at school overnight or over the weekend. No responsibility will be taken by the College for instruments that are left in the storeroom overnight. 12. All instrument cases are to be clearly labelled with the student’s name. 13. Students must check COMPASS for lesson times, listen to all announcements and check emails regularly. 14. Students are expected to support all Music Department events and activities. 15. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any work missed in other subjects because of music events. 16. Students who choose to learn from an external teacher: their teacher will need to be responsible for all of the student’s instrumental needs, including RIA events, VCE and VET requirements. 17. The Music Department reserves the right to exclude a student from a performance if they have missed a final rehearsal and/or sound check.

GENERAL INFORMATION

MUSIC LEVY

All students who participate in lessons and an ensemble at Rowville Secondary College are subject to an annual levy which is payable to the Administration Office via Compass. The fee is significantly lower than the cost of lessons in private music schools, due to the funding we receive from the State Government for each student enrolled in an ensemble. Instrumental lessons and ensemble rehearsals can only commence upon payment of fees.

Please see the ‘How do I get involved?’ section for information regarding the Enrolment Form for the 2019 fee schedule.

PLEASE NOTE: This fee is non-refundable.

MUSIC PROGRAM COMMITMENT

For all instrumentalists and vocalists, a year-long commitment to the program is required.

• Students are required to attend lessons as scheduled by their teacher. • Students are required to attend weekly rehearsals of the ensembles to which they belong. Students are required to attend the performances listed in the Performance Calendar and in the ensemble contracts that are appropriate to their ensemble throughout the year. • Students are required to practice regularly at home. • These are the minimum requirements for students who choose to be part of the Rowville Instrumental Music Program.

SOLO NIGHTS Solo Night is each student’s chance to show parents and friends their progress on their instrument in an intimate concert in the PAC. Typically all students of the one teacher perform individually (solo) or in their lesson group, on one night. Backing tracks, piano or guitar accompaniment can be arranged by the music department depending on the student’s repertoire. We encourage parents to come along to support their child and hear other hardworking students in the program. There are four dates for Solo Nights with one date for each student’s solo night to be confirmed early in Term 2. All students are required to perform on one night for each instrument they learn.

RIA MUSIC GIG NIGHT This event is RIA Music Specialism’s annual gala event. Each student in RIA Music is required to perform their solo selected work, accompanied by a live backing band of professional musicians in a gig environment. The venue, theme, songs and pieces are chosen by the RIA Music teaching team. Students are provided their songs and pieces late in Term 1 or early Term 2.

MUSIC CAMP Each year, all ensembles (expect the first year concert) band joins us on our annual music camp to Candlebark Farm. The aim of the camp is to foster a sense of community amongst music students, with a two-night stay that includes music rehearsing, performing, activities and games. Many students talk about music camp as one of the highlights of their time in the music program and at Rowville Secondary College generally. The camp is also the final opportunity for ensembles to prepare their repertoire for the upcoming Bands Festival, Production and Choir Eisteddfod. As such, all students in the music program are expected to attend music camp. Music Camp usually costs between $260 - $290 each year and can be paid in instalments from Term 2.

BANDS FESTIVAL, PRODUCTION AND CHOIR EISTEDDFOD In Terms 3 and 4 our ensembles perform in a range of external events that are the culmination of the year’s work so far. The Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF) is an opportunity for our concert bands and stage band to compete with other schools in a range of categories for the chance to be crowned best school band in their category. The music department organises buses for students to participate in these events, and costs are included in the annual music levy. School Production takes place in August and the Production Band’s year of practice comes to fruition as they accompany a cast of around 100 students across 6 matinee and evening shows in the chosen Broadway musical for the year. Choir Eisteddfod is the equivalent competition for our voice students and includes a one-day competition against many schools across Victoria.

SEMESTER MUSIC NIGHTS Our Semester Music Nights are the Instrumental Music Program’s most important in-school performance events. It’s the opportunity to show our parents, teachers, fellow students and school community the progress we’ve made each semester. Each ensemble gets time during the day to rehearse before the concert takes place that evening. This is a compulsory event for all music students and a night not to be missed by parents and friends.

INDUSTRY NIGHT Formally “Pub Night”, Industry Night is a fun end to the year where our Senior Stage Band and VCE VET Ensembles get a chance to perform in an industry setting. It’s typically held in a live music venue in eastern Melbourne, in the final school week for Year 12 students.

BAND TOUR Rowville Secondary College participates in an annual Band Tour to local primary schools. It celebrates the first year of music making for the Beginner Band and other students. The aims of the tour are:

• To provide experience and training for the Junior and Intermediate section of the College’s Music Program in staging and performance. • To provide a show of high quality, which encourages and educates audiences in the value of music as a learning experience.

• To provide an experience for Primary students to view, hear and enjoy a wide range of musical instruments and styles.

VCE MUSIC AND VCE VET MUSIC NIGHTS These performance nights are for students enrolled in either VCE Music Performance or VCE VET Music. Performance is a large component of their final mark and as such these nights provide much needed experience in preparation for their final performance exam. These concerts can be part of their School Assessed Coursework and are open to the community to watch, listen and show your support.

HIRE OF INSTRUMENTS

Rowville Secondary College owns a limited number of instruments, which are available for hire at a cost of $150 per annum. If no school instruments are available, we can direct you to other options for hiring on the School website.

Once satisfactory progress has been made on an instrument, it is normally expected that students will purchase their own instrument so that other beginners may take

advantage of the College’s instruments.

• Please DO NOT buy instruments from places such as Supermarkets or Online Shopping Website.

• These instruments are inferior and Instrumental Repairers will not touch them.

• For information regarding buying an instrument, please talk to your instrumental teacher or contact music@rowvillesc.vic.edu.au

INSTRUMENT REPAIRS

In the event of an instrument being damaged, please do not take steps for repair until you have shown the instrument to your instrumental music teacher. Our staff can usually fix most minor damage free of charge.

If the instrument requires further attention our staff will recommend a suitable repairer. The cost will be incurred by the student for the repair of the instrument if it is being hired from the College. Please note that the College does not take responsibility for instruments owned by students. Make sure you have appropriate insurance to cover repairs, theft and/or loss, especially when on excursions or tours. Household contents insurance will not cover your instrument whilst at school or in the wider community. Please check your home insurance policy re: insuring for theft and loss.

COMMUNICATION Most communication from the Music Department will be sent via emails so please make sure you provide an up to date email address and you regularly check your emails and COMPASS.

MUSIC FOLDERS Folders of original band music will be handed out in band rehearsals only. Students will be encouraged to make their own photocopy of a particular part for practice at home. All folders and contents will remain the property of Rowville Secondary College and penalties will be imposed if original music is lost or if students damage folders.

MUSIC AREAS

Students are only permitted into music areas when accompanied by a staff member.

PERFORMANCE UNIFORMS

BEGINNER, CONCERT & STAGE BAND ENSEMBLES • Black trousers or long black skirt • Black socks • Black polished school shoes • White collared ironed long-sleeve shirt • Neat hairstyle; off the face • No heavy make-up or excessive jewellery

CHOIR • Black trousers or long black skirt • Black socks • Black polished school shoes • White collared ironed long-sleeve shirt • Neat hairstyle; off the face • No heavy make-up or excessive jewellery *Please note: Solo Night dress code is neat casual. Band uniforms are not required.

REHEARSALS

REHEARSAL DAYS

Special rehearsal days will occasionally be held at the College on non-school days. Activities will include guest conductors, workshops, small instrument tutorials by specialist teachers and full ensemble rehearsing. These events may also include some social activities. It is expected that students make themselves available for these important rehearsals.

REHEARSAL ETIQUETTE

❖ Set up, warm up, tune up, silence.

❖ Adopt correct playing and singing posture.

❖ Give the conductor your full attention.

❖ Assemble your instrument in the music classroom. Leave your case and bag there as well. Remember - do not leave valuables in your bag.

❖ NEVER touch anyone else’s instrument, music or equipment unless instructed to do so by the conductor or teacher.

❖ Look after your music. Originals do not leave the folder.

❖ Don’t forget to come to all rehearsals with a 2B pencil to mark onto the music any instructions the conductor may make.

❖ Keep track of your instrument and music at all times. Don’t expect someone else to be responsible for these items.

❖ Always make sure you can see the conductor out of the corner of your eye above the stand and music.

❖ HAVE FUN AND ENJOY!