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Music

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Junior School Music

St Aidan’s has an outstanding Classroom Music Program, featuring a unique application of the Kodály Concept of Music Education in the Junior School. Of particular note is the Every Day Music program which now provides deep learning opportunities for students from Kindy – Year Three. This program is based on research which clearly identifies the benefits of daily music instruction. The impact of such an approach to education is not only evident through an extension of students’ musical knowing, understanding and skills, but also in the development of a range of personal and social outcomes. It is apparent that student engagement in daily music study has a positive impact upon regular schooling outcomes through the development of highly flexible, focussed and skilled minds.

The Classroom Music program involves performing music through singing, playing and moving, reading and writing music, creating music and aurally and visually analysing music. In every class, students are engaged in a number of sequential, developmental activities, each with a musical goal such as developing music literacy, building confidence when performing, increasing knowledge of music history and theory, analysing music and composing and improvising. Through these learning experiences, students will be given opportunities to engage in personal development and social cohesion.

The superior quality of the St Aidan’s Music program has been recognised by the large number of teachers, pre-service teachers, parents and visitors who now visit the school to observe the workings of this approach to Music education.

Beginning Strings Program

As a result of the intensive Every Day Music Program at St Aidan’s, students are not only immersed in music, but are developing an independent and sophisticated understanding of essential musical skills and knowledge at an earlier stage. Consequently, many students are ready to embark on the process of learning a bowed stringed instrument (i.e. violin family) in Year 1. The Beginning Strings Program allows interested students to engage in individual lessons at a reduced cost and participate in a group lesson as well. There has been pleasing take up of this offering and students are demonstrating excellent progress.

Years 3 and 4 Band Program

This program is designed to introduce young musicians to the world of band music. Students are provided an instrument by the school (free of charge) and group lessons in each of the sectional areas are offered each week. The program operates in Semester 2 of Year 3 and 4, thereby minimising the impact on overall classroom learning throughout the year. It is expected that many students will continue with private instrumental lessons on a band instrument when they progress into Year 5.

Alongside these extensive programs, there are numerous opportunities for engagement in the Junior School. These include:

  • Vivaldi Strings

  • Beginner Strings

  • Dolce Strings

  • Junior Singers (Years 3, 4 and 5)

  • Children Crossing Choir (Years 6, 7 and 8)

  • Wind Ensemble

  • Junior Band

  • Chamber ensembles i.e. Chamber Strings, Chamber Winds, Brass Quintet (auditioned groups)

Whole School

  • Private and small group instrumental lessons

  • Performing Arts Recitals

  • Solo or small group performances on assembly

  • Regular large group concerts at the school and in the wider community

  • Combined school music projects

  • Student music leadership positions

  • Community Choirs (St Aidan’s Community Choir and Queensland Kodaly Choir)

  • Community Musicianship classes

Should you have any queries regarding the Music Program at St Aidan's, please contact Music@staidans.qld.edu.au

If you would like to sign on for the Extra-Curricular group please click on the link below and complete the form to express your interest: Extra-Curricular Music Groups Sign On

Private Instruction

At St Aidan’s many of our accomplished teachers instruct on a range of instruments, voice, music theory and speech and drama. Individual and small group instruction (upon consultation with the teacher) is available on:

  • Piano

  • Theory of Music

  • Guitar - acoustic, electric, bass

  • Voice

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Cello

  • Double Bass

  • Harp

  • Flute/Piccolo

  • Oboe

  • Bassoon

  • Clarinet/Bass Clarinet

  • Saxophone - soprano, alto, tenor, baritone

  • Trumpet

  • French Horn

  • Trombone

  • Euphonium

  • Tuba

  • Percussion

Lessons are held at the School in private music studios situated in the Christine Hartland Centre (CHC). Students from the Junior School receive lessons in school time on a rotational basis. 

ENROLMENT

Enrolment forms for private lessons are available on Aidan's Central.

Student Commitment

It is expected that students receiving musical tuition at the School (excluding piano, theory, and guitar) participate in at least one relevant ensemble as recommended by the instructor. For example, a vocal student must participate in the Chorale, or a saxophone student in the Concert Band.

Instrument Loans

Many of the larger and more expensive instruments are available for loan from the school. Hire fees of $80 per Semester are payable to the school office. Only limited smaller instruments are available for loan from the school. It is expected that smaller instruments be purchased after one year school loan.

Cost

$36 per half hour