Music

After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, the Music Department is excited for all music ensembles to return to the rehearsal rooms. Students have the opportunity to participate in a vast array of music ensembles at their individual level of skill and interest. All enquiries should be directed to the Music Office at musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or phone +61 2 9855 7666. Information regarding private music lessons, ensembles and activities can also be found on the College website and in the Music Directory Booklet, which is available from the Music Office. Please come and see us!

Any girl who plays an instrument and would like to be in an ensemble but has not yet been placed in one, please come to the Music Office at lunchtime or before school. All students who learn an orchestral or band instrument at the College are expected to participate in an appropriate ensemble. In addition, all vocal students should also be involved in the School Choir.

We need to continue to follow the guidelines set by the NSW Health regarding COVID-19. As a result, the following protocols will be put in place:

All brass students must bring a cup and rag so they can clean up their condensation throughout the rehearsal.
Secondary string and keyboard players and percussionists will need to wear a mask during rehearsals.
Secondary brass and woodwind players will be able to take their mask off to play their instrument but will then need to put it back on while they are not playing.
Junior School students are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in rehearsals.
As singing is a higher risk activity, all Secondary and Junior School students will be required to wear a mask at their choir rehearsal.

Please note the following rehearsal times. Most ensemble rehearsals commenced this week unless indicated below. If you have any concerns, please contact the relevant ensemble conductor.

Secondary School Choirs

Monday 5.00pm to 6.30pm – Pymble Chorale, Chapel (Mrs Sabina Turner)
Wednesday 7.25am to 8.05am – School Choir, Chapel (Mr Kurt Schweinberger)

Secondary School Orchestras

Monday 6.50am to 8.05am – Senior School String Orchestra, Music Gallery (Mrs Luczia Bain and Mrs Sarah Crawford-Turner)
Thursday 6.50am to 8.05am – Senior School Chamber Strings, Music Gallery (Mrs Narelle Colbey)
Thursday 1.25pm to 2.05pm – Senior School String Quartet (Mrs Luczia Bain)
Friday 6.50am to 8.05am – Senior School Symphony Orchestra, Big Rehearsal Room (Mrs Narelle Colbey and Mr Marcus Stafford)

Secondary School Concert Bands

Monday 6.50am to 8.05am – School Concert Band, Big Rehearsal Room (Mr Ralph Wilcock)
Commencing Week 4: Monday 1.25pm to 2.05pm – Flute Ensemble, Music Room 4
Commencing Week 4: Monday 3.30pm to 4.15pm – Middle School Band Tutorials, Big Rehearsal Room and Percussion Studio (Mr Kurt Schweinberger and Mr Marcus Stafford)
Tuesday 6.50am to 8.05am – Middle School Concert Band, Big Rehearsal Room (Mr Kurt Schweinberger)
Tuesday 3.30pm to 4.30pm – Jazz Ensemble, Big Rehearsal Room (Mr Ralph Wilcock)
Wednesday 6.50am to 8.05am – Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Big Rehearsal Room (Mr Marcus Stafford)
Wednesday 1.25pm to 2.05pm – Clarinet Ensemble, Music Room 5 (Miss Amy Whyte)
Wednesday 1.25pm to 2.05pm – Lower Brass Ensemble, Music Room 6 (Mr Matthew Walmsley)
Thursday 1.25pm to 2.05pm – Rock Bands, Music Room 5 (Mr Ralph Wilcock)
Thursday 3.30pm to 5.00pm – Senior School Stage Band, Big Rehearsal Room (Mr Marcus Stafford)

Junior School Music Years 3 to 6

Strings Orchestras

Monday 3.00pm to 4.15pm – Junior School Brumby String Orchestra, Music Gallery (Mrs Narelle Colbey and Mrs Sarah Crawford-Turner)
Wednesday 7.15am to 8.10am – Hindson Chamber Strings, Music Gallery (Mrs Narelle Colbey)
Commencing Week 6: Wednesday 3.00pm to 4.15pm – Year 3 String Orchestra, Music Gallery (Mrs Narelle Colbey and Mrs Luczia Bain)
Friday 12.45pm to 1.30pm – Junior School String Quartet, Music Gallery (Mrs Narelle Colbey)

Choirs

Tuesday 7.20am to 8.05am – Junior School Choir, Chapel (Mrs Jill King and Ms Ellen Buckley)
Friday 7.15am to 8.05am – Junior Capella (formally known as the Junior School Chamber Choir), Chapel (Mrs Sabina Turner)

Concert Bands

Tuesday 3.00pm to 4.15pm – Stanhope Band, Music Gallery (Mrs Patrice Goodman)
Wednesday 2.30pm to 3.15pm – Years 3 and 4 Training Band Tutorials, Music Building
Wednesday 3.15pm to 4.15pm – Junior School Jazz Band, Big Rehearsal Room (Mrs Patrice Goodman)
Thursday 7.15am to 8.10am – Grainger Band, Big Rehearsal Room (Mrs Jill King)
Commencing Week 4 Thursday 3.00pm to 4.15pm – Years 3 and 4 Band Training Band, Music Gallery (Mrs Jill King, Ms Ellen Buckley and Mr Ralph Wilcock)

Junior School Music Kindergarten to Year 2

Monday 7.30am to 8.00am – Kindergarten to Year 2 Pizzicato Strings, Lower Performing Arts Room (Former Preparatory Performing Arts Room) Mrs Narelle Colbey and Mrs Rhonda Purvis
Tuesday 2.55pm to 3.35pm – Year 1 Violin, Music Room 5 (Mrs Michelle Steele)
Wednesday 2.55pm to 3.35pm – Year 1 Cello, Music Room 3 (Mr Nigel Parry)
Thursday 7.30am to 8.00am – Years 1 to 2 Piccoline Choir, Lower Performing Arts Room (Former Preparatory School Performing Arts Room) Mrs Tiffany Farlow and Mrs Julie Hare

Small ensembles (Piano Trio, String Quartet and Baroque ensembles) will commence later in the term and individual teachers will make contact with the relevant students.

School Choir: Be in it!

The School Choir is open to anyone who likes to sing! No audition is necessary, but please come and see Mr Schweinberger in the Performing Arts Staffroom so that you can be placed in the correct voice part. School Choir rehearses every Wednesday morning at 7.25am to 8.05am. All Elective Music students are expected to attend. Mr Schweinberger is looking forward to seeing you all!

Year 10 Student Awarded her LMusA

Congratulations to Year 10 student Vienna Li who as awarded her LMusA (Violin) at the end of 2021. Vienna is a valued member of the College String program and performs in many ensembles. This is a wonderful achievement for such a young student. Bravo!

Sport and Music Ensemble Rehearsal Clashes

When sport practices and music rehearsals clash, it is the policy set by the Sport and Music Departments that the student attends one weekly sport practice and one weekly music rehearsal. It is imperative that the student notify their sport coach that they are unable to attend that practice due to their music rehearsal, so that they are not penalised for poor attendance. This policy works on the basis that for most sports there are two scheduled practices per week, but for each music ensemble there is only one rehearsal per week. If a student encounters further problems with clashes, they must alert both staff members concerned so that the student is not disadvantaged.

Parents are requested to not sign their daughters up for other activities that clash with scheduled music rehearsals to which their daughter is committed.

New Student Auditions

Any students who are new to the College this year who play an instrument and have not auditioned for or been placed in an ensemble, please email Music Admin at musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

Secondary School Instrument Cases and Storerooms

There are three security storerooms in the Music Building for the storage of students’ instruments while they are at school. They are labelled clearly as to which instruments are to be placed in each. Please ensure that instruments are placed neatly and carefully on the shelves and not left in the middle of the floor where they could be damaged or cause harm to someone tripping over them. Instruments must not be left in a classroom or locker. Every girl must ensure that her instrument case is clearly named on the outside.

Junior School Instrument Cases and Storerooms

All Junior School Band instruments are to be stored in the Instrument Storage Room in the Music Gallery (David Blackwell Music School). Cellos are to be placed carefully in the Guitar/Cello storage room at the end of the Music Colonnade. Every girl must ensure that her instrument case is clearly named on the outside.

Private Music Tuition

Information and commitment forms for private music tuition in any instrument, voice, or musicianship are available online and places are still available for all instruments. If you experience difficulties with accessing this information, please contact the IT Department.