At Redcliffe High we have a very vibrant Instrumental Music Program boasting over 120 students across our various ensembles. Music is an integral part of everyday life and students often gain considerable fulfilment and enjoyment from music education, not only those who show a particular talent.
The skills, concepts and attitudes that students gain from being a part of the Instrumental Music Program will benefit them not only during their schooling, but also in the years beyond. The Instrumental Music Program at Redcliffe High provides opportunities for students to be actively involved in a wide range of musical experiences including school and community performances, rehearsals, workshops, excursions, camps and tours. These experiences help students develop qualities including commitment, team work, cultural appreciation and personal responsibility as well as sensitivity towards music, allowing them to find meaning in music and become aware of the value of music in their own lives, as well as in the lives of others.
Senior concert band
Conductor: Mr Sam Denning
Instruments: Brass, woodwind, percussion
Rehearsal time: Monday 3.00pm to 4.15pm Bird's Nest
Overview: The Redcliffe SHS senior concert band is the most advanced brass, woodwind and percussion music ensemble at the school. It consists of around 40 senior brass, woodwind and percussion players from year 10, 11 and 12. Students must meet requisite standard as outlined by their instrumental teachers in order to be invited to play in the senior ensemble. Invitation to join Senior Concert Band is not guaranteed by year level but by musical ability and commitment. In general, the concert band performs repertoire that is at a grade 3 level and offers challenges for all students. Junior students may also be asked to join if they demonstrate advanced skills on their instrument. The repertoire is made up of a combination of popular and traditional concert band music.
It is compulsory for all senior concert band students to attend instrumental lessons through the school Instrumental Music Program which consists of one small group lesson of 30 minutes per week.
The senior concert band is involved in a number of important performances throughout the year including the annual Redcliffe Wine and Cheese Night, ANZAC Day Ceremonies, Academic Awards Night, Senior Recital Night, The Peninsula Music Festival, The State Fanfare Competition, Transitions as well as performances at a variety of places throughout the community.
Junior wind band
Conductor: Ms Natalie Porter
Instruments: Brass, woodwind, percussion
Rehearsal time: Tuesday 7.20am to 8.30am Bird's Nest
Overview: The Redcliffe SHS junior wind band is the largest ensemble at the school. It consists of around 50 junior brass, woodwind and percussion players from year 7, 8 and 9. All players in this ensemble must have successfully completed their Standard of Excellence level 1.3 (or equivalent). In general, the junior wind band performs repertoire that is at a grade 1.5 to 2.5 level and offers challenges for all students. Some senior students also attend these rehearsals to help mentor the younger players as well as perform on second instruments. The repertoire is made up of a combination of popular and traditional concert band music.
It is compulsory for all junior wind band students to attend instrumental lessons through the school Instrumental Music Program which consists of one small group lesson of 30 minutes per week.
The junior wind band is involved in a number of important performances throughout the year including the annual Redcliffe Wine and Cheese Night, Academic Awards Night, Junior Recital Night, The Peninsula Music Festival, The State Fanfare Competition, Transitions as well as performances at a variety of places throughout the community.
Senior stage band
Conductor: Mr Sam Denning
Rehearsal Time: Monday 7.20am to 8.30 am
Overview: The Redcliffe SHS Senior stage band consists of a select group of music students who perform at a high standard. It features saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a full rhythm section and they perform predominantly jazz, pop and rock music. There are also specially selected vocalists from the choir program who perform with the stage band. This ensemble is all about having fun while performing challenging repertoire at a high standard and the opportunity to perform at many school and community events.
Redcliffe SHS Brass Ensemble
Conductor: Mr Sam Denning
As its name suggests, Redcliffe SHS Brass Ensemble composes instruments of the Brass family only. Conducted Students from all year levels learn the skills and musicianship needed to produce a high quality Brass Ensemble sound and performance. Instruments include Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Trombone and Tuba. This group is conducted by our Brass Specialist Mr Sam Denning. The ensemble rehearses every Friday morning, playing music from all genres; including hymns, contemporary, pop, marches, and fanfares. The ensemble performs at many significant school events such as Anzac Day ceremonies, school events and gala concerts.
Music tours and camps
Each alternate year, all of our music ensembles attend a music camp (2-3 days) or a music tour (5 to 7 days).
- In 2013 the music ensembles toured the Sydney area, where they attended workshops with the Royal Australian Navy Band and the Police Band as well as performing at local schools and the Darling Harbour foreshore.
- In 2015 they toured the Capricorn Coast and performed extensively at local primary schools and out in the community. They also combined with Yeppoon State High School in a series of workshops and put on a large combined concert for parents at the school. The students also enjoyed down time as they toured the Capricorn Caves, Crocodile Farm, Indigenous Centre and a day out on Keppel Bay participating in snorkelling, exploring the island, boom netting and enjoying the glass bottomed boat.
- In 2017 music ensembles toured Canberra where they participated in a range of workshops including one with the Royal Australian Army Band, performed for local primary schools, combined with a local high school as well as various sight seeing and activities.
In 2019 they toured to Hervey Bay where they performed for the local community, primary schools, workshop with the High School as well as plenty of sight seeing including Whale Watching.
In 2021 our ensembles travelled to Rockhampton, performing for the local community and a range schools. Students especially enjoyed participating in a workshop for beginner musicians combining with 4 local primary schools mentoring them in learning new repertoire. Students also enjoyed some sight seeing and recreation time spending a day out at Great Keppel Island, Capricorn Caves and other local attractions.
Tours and camps are a very important part of the success of the music program as they ensure real goals are set for students and offer opportunities for students to work with professional musicians and other conductors. Performances are another crucial part of tours and camps and ensure students have the opportunity to share their music with members of the wider community. They are also an excellent way for students to bond with their peers and form positive relationships with teachers.
For more information on any of our Music programs please contact Mr Nathan Falkenhagen nafal0@eq.edu.au or call (07 3897 1111). Alternatively you can contact the Head of Department Creative Industries, Mrs Brylee Taylor, bcolu4@eq.edu.au
Three step plan to fight procrastination…
- STEP 1: Open case
- STEP 2: Remove instrument
- STEP 3: Get started!!!!