Psalm 33:3 “Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.

Now that the term is well underway, it’s wonderful to hear all the students making music on their instruments and hearing the development of skill happening in real time. Everyone is busy preparing for our upcoming Instrumental Showcase on Tuesday  24^th August and some students are also preparing for AMEB exams. It’s a busy time here in the Music Department!

Lessons & Rehearsals

Instrumental music lessons are settling back into their familiar rhythm, and It’s wonderful to hear so many students progressing so well. Repetition is the key to all learning, so please continue to encourage your children to practice each day at home – mini concerts are a great way to do this! Maybe each Friday night after dinner your child can give a family concert, playing whichever pieces they’ve been working on during the week. This is a great way for you to show them appreciation for their hard work, and for them to become accustomed to performing in front of other people.

All Ensemble & Choir rehearsals are also continuing as normal. Any changes to regular rehearsals will be communicated by email to both students & parents.

Give It A Go! Band Programme

It’s also been wonderful to hear our current group of Give It A Go! students making more progress & learning new things! I’ve been hearing students improving their tone & becoming more proficient, and it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm in these budding musicians. Students need to make sure they continue to practise between lessons, for at least 10-15mins per day. This will help them consolidate the skills they have gained in their lessons, and be ready for what’s next.

GIAG Band rehearsals will have some changes of day during August – please watch your emails for details.

Performances

Term 3 will see students come together for an Instrumental Showcase in week 7, giving many students an opportunity to perform both with their Ensembles as well as in small groups & even solo.  Beginning with a fundraising Sausage Sizzle hosted by the RAW Missions Team, performances will begin at 6pm on Tues 24^th August in the Church Auditorium. Numbers are somewhat limited due to COVID restrictions, but it would be great to see families of the performing students in attendance.

In Term 4 we will be holding our first Arts Finale, a fantastic night of music, art, drama & song, brought to you as a collaborative effort by all our wonderful arts staff & students. This will be the culmination of the year’s work for our performance students, and we’re planning something truly special. Again, more information will be communicated later in Term 3, so be on the lookout for dates & times.

There is always a way to be part of our growing Instrumental Programme – here’s how your child can be involved:

1. Give It A Go! Band Programme – Year 4 students only

This is a one year beginner programme for Year 4 students, giving them the opportunity to learn a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument in small groups during school time. There is a one-off $400 levy for the year which covers all lessons & band rehearsals, a tuition book & use of a school instrument for one year. Many places for this are currently filled, however we do have a number of vacancies across most instruments. If your child is in Year 4 & would like to be involved, please contact us at instruments@parklands.qld.edu.a

2. Private lessons

Private lessons are available for piano, guitar, drum kit, voice, most woodwind & and all brass & stringed instruments. Lessons are scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $30/30mins.

3. Shared lessons

Shared lessons are available for all of the above instruments except piano, guitar & voice. Lessons are again scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are also billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $18/30mins for a Group of 2 or $14/30mins for a Group of 3, pending availability.

Enrolment forms can be downloaded below, and are also available by emailing instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au

PCC Music Department Guidelines with form