Music

Welcome Back!

Touch wood, it appears that the start of the year is without the need to have a “critical incident” in place – no mandatory RATs, optional mask wearing, and ensembles will be face to face learning. Alleluia!!!

I’d like to extend a very warm Pymble welcome to our new students – those from afar, and those making their way up from the Junior School. Pymble is not a school for the idle; it is a place for active minds to gain great wisdom, active souls to be nurtured, and active bodies to be fuelled. Music will do all these things for you, so please come and hang out in the wonderful Performing Arts area and be part of our Music team.

Music Support Group

This group is for any interested parents who would like to volunteer their time and help throughout the year to support the students and staff in the ensemble program. Led by the very capable Priscilla Macpherson (Sarah – Year 11) and Elizabeth Toh (Estelle – Year 7), I’m sure these lovely mums would love to meet you, and have you help when and if you are able. Please reach out through Music admin at musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Information: If you require private music lessons, or need a uniform, not sure about times for ensembles, etc, please go to: https://www.pymblelc.nsw.edu.au/mypymble/music-2-2/

Ensembles and Lessons

Please note the times for ensembles and private music lessons will commence from Monday February 6. The above website will take you to the times ensembles are held. New students are welcome to just show up on the 1^st week – your conductor will take your name and you will be added to the roll. Alternatively, please email musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to express your interest.

Auditions for Junior School Chamber Strings

Mrs Colbey will be holding auditions for the Junior School Chamber Strings. Please email Mrs Colbey if you have any questions or to book an audition time at ncolbey@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. Auditions will be held on Tuesday 7 February.

Auditions for Junior School Jazz Band

Mrs Goodman will be holding auditions for Junior School Jazz Band. Girls in Stanhope & Grainger are welcome to audition and need to prepare 1 piece. Auditions are open to saxophone, trumpet, euphonium, trombone, drums, piano and bass guitar. Email Mrs Goodman if you have any questions or to book an audition time. pgoodman@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

School Choir – be in it!

School Choir is open to anyone who likes to sing! No audition is necessary, but please come and see Mrs Turner 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 – 8.05am. All Elective Music students are expected to attend. Mrs Turner is looking forward to seeing you all!

Junior School

Secondary School

Sport and Music Ensemble Rehearsal Clashes

When sport practices and Music rehearsals clash, it is the policy set up 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.

All girls learning through our Peripatetic Music teacher program will be contacted directly by their teacher. Lessons must be paid in accordance with the tutors’ directive and any missed lessons will be at the discretion of the individual tutor. (A rule of thumb is to give 24 hours notice). Lessons will be on a rotating basis throughout the term and preference is given to Year 12 students for a regular time. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful talent in our department and each of our Peripatetic tutors is regarded as part of our family. If you are dissatisfied with anything, please let Sarah Turner know immediately after expressing your concerns with the tutor. We have many tutors and therefore many options for your daughter. If you are having lessons within the College, you are expected to be part of the Ensemble program. Each girl in Elective Music is also expected to be part of the ensemble program and will find their music becomes so much easier and accessible if they are meeting with a like-minded tribe each week.

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 in the 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.

Save the Dates

February 15: CONCERTO COMPETITION – 6:30pm in the Music Gallery. We are introducing the Concerto Competition and have 4 of our fine musicians from Year 12 performing in the 1^st round of the Concerto Competition. This is being held on Mr Paul Dyer AO – Artistic Director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will be adjudicating and providing feedback. We encourage as many aspiring musicians to attend this event and connect with Mr Dyer.

February 25 – 26: Junior School Music Camp – Kurt to send email with info

March 31: Senior School Ensemble Concert – 6:30pm on Gloucester Lawn. Bring your picnic rugs/chairs and dinner and enjoy the sonorous tones of your daughter as she brings to life some wonderful music to serenade you whilst you eat.

CONGRATULATIONS to Freya Carmody (Year 12) and Zarina Nurlanov (Year 10) who both participated in the “Opera and Musical Theatre Lab” at the Conservatorium of Music during the holidays. Both girls received wonderful accolades for their ability to perform, demonstrate a level of professionalism within a Musical Theatre setting, and work alongside professional musicians and theatre staff.

Staffing in the Music Area

Music Administration – Ms Gladys Uy: oversees the entire Music administration musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Director of Co-Curricular Performing Arts – Mr Michael Griffiths: Oversees the programme of all Co-Curricular Performing Arts (Drama, Dance, Language Arts, and Music)

Deputy Director of Co-Curricular Performing Arts – Mr Kurt Schweinberger: Oversees the programme of all Performing Arts (K-6) kschweinberger@pymbelc.nsw.edu.au

Head of Learning Area Performing Arts – Mr Marcus Stafford: all things relating to curriculum matters mstafford@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Head of Co-Curricular Music – Mrs Sarah Turner: all things relating to private music lessons and ensembles sturner@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Head of Strings – Mrs Narelle Colbey: all things relating to the College Strings programme ncolbey@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Head of Bands – Mr Marcus Stafford: all things relating to the College Band programme

Classroom teachers – Mrs Narelle Colbey, Mr Mark Rossman, Ms Sarah Ashton, Mr Marcus Stafford, Ms Julia Zeltzer, and Mrs Sarah Turner

Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the staff. We want to help change your daughters’ life by offering her a fantastic education in the Arts. Each child is treated as an individual and we want to ensure she reaches only her potential and celebrate your daughter with you by her side.

Mrs Sarah Turner

Head of Co-curricular Music