Mt Lawley SHS - Music Program

MOUNT LAWLEY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Special Programs - Music

The Music Department offers a full range of tuition in both Theory and Performance from Year 8 through to Year 12. This includes an Upper School TEE and Music in Society (which incorporates Jazz Studies (non-TEE)) Programme. Many of our former students are now working as Professional Musicians, Music Teachers or studying in the Music Department at the University of Western Australia or at the Conservatorium.

The school's music programme provides a wide musical education experience comprising of the following ensembles: concert bands, string ensembles, jazz bands, choirs, guitar ensemble and rock ensembles. Although we pursue excellence, we also encourage as many students as possible to progress according to their particular ability levels. All ensembles tour the local primary schools which help introduce students to instrumental music, ensemble work and possible ensemble opportunities in the future, promoting a love for music in the local community.

During the last few years our ensembles have appeared regularly at the Perth Concert Hall and have toured to Broome and Kalgoorlie . The Blues Band was the first Australian Youth Jazz Band to be invited to play in New Orleans (1992), and The Chamber Orchestra won its category and a Gold Medal in an International Music Festival in Sydney in 1993 when it played and recorded at the Sydney Opera House. The Orchestra embarked on their tour to Sydney for the Australian International Music Festival in June 2004 where they competed with International ensembles and were awarded a Silver medal for their fine performance. In 2004, the Orchestra combining with Shenton College were awarded an "Outstanding" Award for the ABODA Orchestra Festival in Premier Division.

The Mount Lawley SHS Blues Band performed at the International Music Festival in Sydney in June 2002, competing with bands from Europe , Japan , Canada and the U.S.A. The Blues Band and Senior Concert Band performed at "Rhapsody Rotorua" this year, 2004, travelling to Auckland and Rotorua , New Zealand where they received a silver award for their efforts. The Senior Concert band received an "Outstanding" award for their performance at the ABODA Schools Band Festival in August 2004.

Performing at local festivals and concerts eg. Shell Concert and Combined Schools Music Festival are some of the many events entered by the school ensembles. All ensembles tour the local primary schools which help introduce students to instrumental music, ensemble work and possible ensemble opportunities in the future, promoting a love for music in the local community.

The Senior Concert Band perform annually in Kings Park for the Ex Prisoner Of War Memorial Service.

In addition to the Senior Concert Band, which received an 'Outstanding' in the Band Festival in 2004, there is also a Junior Band in which our youngest musicians gain their experience in a supportive atmosphere. Our Junior Band consists of students ranging from Year 6 to Year 10 who have consistently gained an "excellent" award for their efforts each year.

Links with the W.A. Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA at ECU) have enabled our Year 11 and 12 students to be involved in the Certificate IV Jazz Studies programme. The course covers performance, theory and composition, and is studied over a two year period (Years 11 and 12). From 2005, Mt Lawley SHS will also be involved in offering the Certificate IV Classical programme. This course involves students studying aural, theory, performance, composition and is also studied over a two year period (Years 11 & 12).

Although we have declared a special interest in Jazz Studies, the Department teaches and respects a full range of musical styles both in the classroom and in its range of ensembles which includes a Chamber Orchestra.

A very strong choral programme operates from Year 8 through to Year 12. This complements the classroom component and provides not only valuable aural and vocal skills but the opportunity to perform at assemblies, concerts and other venues. The Senior Choir performed at the Opening of the Rottnest Tearooms in late 1998. All choral students will be performing in the whole school musical production held each year.

Although we pursue excellence, we also encourage as many students as possible to progress according to their particular ability levels.

Presently there are three Music teachers with complementary skills, supported by the visiting 16 Instrumental teachers and an extremely active and supportive Music Parent Support Group.