THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL

Music is a key element of School life at Thornbury High School. Many students are involved in the music programme.

The school offers a range of music ensembles catering from absolute beginners to extremely competent musicians. In Year 7 students learn their instrument for one term before auditioning for the Year 7 Concert Band. In Year 8 students are involved with Year 8 Concert band, and have the option to audition for other ensembles.

With a little more experience the options open up for students. More advanced ensembles include Junior and Senior Stage Band, Senior Concert Band, Greek Band, rock bands, vocal groups as well as classroom ensembles.

Students may prepare for Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Exams, study VCE Music Performance or play in one of the College’s performing groups.

The students learn from a range of musical instruments:

• Flute, clarinet, bassoon

• Alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone

• French horn, trombone, trumpet

• Euphonium, tuba, percussion

• Electric bass, double bass

   

Students can also access piano, guitar and violin lessons by arrangement with Fionn O’Sullivan.

In classroom music students are exposed to guitar, keyboard, drums and vocals. Students learn theory, analysis and aural skills in a practical and interesting way, using a wide range of musical genres. We believe this allows for thorough and comprehensive musicianship, an experience that students learn a great deal from, they enjoy immensely.

There are presently approximately 150 students learning a musical instrument in Years 7 to 12. Elective Units are also offered in Years 9 and 10 extending students in the theory and practice of Music in solo, small ensemble and large ensemble settings.

At VCE the school offers both Solo and Group Performance. From 2010 Thornbury H.S. will be using their brand new, state of the art recording studio to offer V.E.T. Music Industry Skills. (Certificate II and III).

The music program runs a number of bands and ensembles at different levels, and camps for music practice and performance. The camps are held in Victoria for the younger students (years 7 and 8), while the older groups tour interstate. Students and bands are entered in a range of competitions, and the annual mid-year and end-of-year concerts are major events.

In 2005 and 2006 the school’s senior band won a gold shield (best band) in the Melbourne School Bands competition.

If there are any questions about the music department, please feel free to contact Fionn O’Sullivan directly on 9458 6128.