Music

The Music Program at Mount Lawley Senior High School nurtures the musical development of some 300 students through the areas of class music, instrumental music and ensemble participation.

Class Music

Class music consists of musicianship, aural and theory skills. Students listen to and analyse music from a range of styles, including classical, jazz and contempory. Emphasis is placed on the development of aural skills through practical activity. Students also develop their performance skills through in-class performances.

Instrumental Music

All students in the music course learn an instrument, either through the School of Instrumental Music (SIM) program, or privately. SIM provides instrumental teachers who teach individuals and small groups. Many students continue the instrument they began in primary school. A limited number of new instrument places are available each year for students who wish to begin an instrument.

The following instruments are available at Mount Lawley SHS:

Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Basoon, Saxaphone.

Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn.

Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.

Guitar: Classical, Electric.

Percussion & Drums.

Voice.

Not all instruments are offered to beginner Year 8 students.

It is important to realise that specific instruments are offered to balance our ensembles within the program. Staff carefully select students for some of the less common instruments. Balancing the ensembles is crucial for the ongoing success of the music program.

A list of staff contacts can be found here.

Ensemble Music

We offer a range of ensembles which cater for the different needs of all students within the program. Ensembles are directed by Music and Instrumental staff, and rehearsals are on a weekly basis. All ensembles participate in regular performances at concerts, ceremonies assemblies and community events.

All students are expected to participate in the ensemble program, and many students participate in more than one ensemble. The ensemble program offers students a rich and rewarding experience of group rehearsal and performance.

Our ensembles include:

Senior Concert Band

Junior Concert Band

String Orchestra

Big Band 1

Big Band 2

Jazz Combo

Classical Guitar Ensemble

Electric Guitar Ensemble

Rock Band

Certificate IV Ensemble (Year 12)

Certificate IV Ensemble (Year 11)

Chorale

SVAPA Choir

Certificate IV Course

Mount Lawley SHS offers a unique Certificate IV course in Jazz or Classical Music. The course is open to selected applicants in Years 11 and 12, and enables students to broaden their musical knowledge and develop their skills in performance. The course is run in conjunction with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

Further information about this course in 2014 will be added to the website during Semester 2 of 2013.

Rehearsals

The ensemble rehearsal timetable can be found here.

Dress Code

As with any professional musical body, there is a strict dress code - all Ensembles wear all black for every performance.

Communication

Parents are encouraged to develop good and positive communication with their child's teachers. We suggest you follow the suggestions for contacting staff here.

If you would like to contact one of the Instrumental teachers, then please pass on a message through one of the Music staff.

Funding

Apart from the Music Department charge as listed in the Mount Lawley SHS Contributions and Charges sheet, a donation of $25 per family is requested at the start of the year to ensure that the music program functions at its best and to enrich the music program offered to students. This is supplemented by fund raising by the Music Support Committee, mainly from the Community Art Auction held in June each year in conjunction with the SVAPA parent support group. Check out the website at www.lawleyevents.com

There are costs to parents associated with camps and tours, and music books for instrumental lessons. Tickets are sold for each school concert to cover expenses. Festival organisers charge a nominal entrance fee. Depending on the location of each Festival, other schools' music parent support groups sell refreshments to make the most of the captive audience!

Music Parents Support Committee