Music Newsletter – Issue 1, 7 November 2024

On behalf of the Music team here at Villanova, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our new fortnightly publication – the “Music News.”  We hope that you find this little tome insightful and engaging as we seek to share a little more of what our students are experiencing on a day-to-day basis in the music department here at Villanova College.  So much of our learning is shared at time of performance – we look forward to sharing a little more of the journey to more effectively communicate the how and why of our musical processes.

As well as being a periodical of process, this publication has been created with the view to centralise most of the information and communications from the Music Office, thus reducing most of your email traffic from our department.  We feel that this may be a welcome addition to the College communication suite and feel that this will allow us to dynamically meet the communication needs of families involved in our program.  We also look forward to the manner in which this document will archive our activities and program development over time.

Our re-enrolment packs are in the final stages of being prepared for distribution.  These will be sent from the Music Office via email this week.  Fees are set each year by the College through our budgeting process.  Whilst there will be a slight increase this year, the charges for 2025 are comparable, if not slightly cheaper, that most similar schools in Brisbane.  Whilst we are cognisant of the cost pressures on families, we are also aware of the costs involved in providing a quality program for your son to be a valued member of.  We value the benefits music education provides students; should cost become a barrier to participation for your son please contact me directly.  We have ways to assist students on their music education journey.

As we move into a new academic year, and a new group of Seniors take on a student leadership role within our program, we consider what opportunities and challenges we look forward to.  In a recent discussion with our new Music Student Leadership team, I reflected on the many presentations we experienced over the election process and how big and bright the visions presented were.  I brought the team’s attention to a quote that caught my eye recently on the socials, relating to culture and culture development,

My challenge to our new leaders is to be that core group.  Be the change they wish to see.  I am confident that our music staff will work to ensure a safe, productive, and incredible learning environment.  We will work with you to develop our collective ways of working.  We look forward to you bringing our student community along on the journey!

Mr Michael Jones – Director of Music

On behalf of the Music Staff here at Villanova, I would like to extend my gratitude to all parents who were able to join us for our Open Rehearsal on Tuesday morning last week.  It may have been the coffee and muffins, but we sensed it was a valuable experience for students and parents, and a great opportunity for our staff to demystify the valuable learning that occurs in an ensemble context.  The highlight each time we do this is having the students teach their parents a few notes and we perform ‘Hot Cross Buns’ or ‘Three Blind Mice’ together.  Witnessing the joy of collective music making in the room is always a wonderful experience.

There is much contemporary research now sharing the benefits of learning a musical instrument in an ensemble context.  From developing executive function and pro-social behaviours, through to data demonstrating students who play an instrument in ensemble through school are up to 2 years academically advanced on non-musician peers, the evidence around music as a contributor to academic success is irrefutable.  To share some initial research around these benefits, I encourage you to view this short video compiled by Dr Anita Collins – music education advocate, neuro-musical researcher, and music educator based in Canberra.

Continuing information for student involvement in the Villanova College Music Program for 2025 will be distributed via email from the Music Office.  Should you have any queries regarding the co-curricular music program, please do not hesitate to contact us through the Music Office on 3394 5691 or music@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Brass News

Congratulations to the following students for receiving the Brass Awards for 2024

Junior School Brass Award – Samuel Grimes

Middle School Brass Award – Rex Atkinson

Senior School Brass Award – William Dolphin

These students were selected based on their contribution to Villanova ensembles, and their alignment to the four Villanovan values – humility, community, restless search for truth, and interiority.

Assessments Due Week 7 & 8

All the individual practical assessments will be due by week 7 or 8. This can be done in your lesson with your teachers or at home and uploaded to teams. Please discuss with your teacher which option you are doing. Each student has different repertoire and assessment so be sure to focus on what has been set for you.

Ensembles

As most of the new ensembles have started and people are now in new and multiple ensembles it’s important to remember when the rehearsals are on and practice the repertoire at home. This doesn’t require hours of practice and can be just looking at few bars at a time that are tricky. Please take your new music to your teachers so they can help as well.

Lesson times

Please look at your emails and RSVP to my emails. There have been many students forget their lessons or have come at the wrong time. There are sometimes that I have to change a lesson time due to a conflicting event (e.g. Mass, Extra Rehearsal etc), when this happens I will resend an invitation so please look at your emails and respond to them.

Chamber Brass

This ensemble is seeking interest for new members. This year we focused on some different repertoire and in 2025 we will be taking on a new exciting music in various styles.

Here is a photo of Chamber Brass performing at the Celebration of Excellence at QPAC.

AMEB EXAMS

As we reach the end of the school year, our final candidates are completing their external exams for the Australian Music Examinations Board. We wish them the best of luck on their performance and results! For those who have not completed an AMEB exam before, they involve preparing a set program and attending an exam. Students need to dedicate time and effort to prepare sufficiently for the exam and they can be a great way to extend your playing. Exams are most suited to students that have private lessons. For more information you can take a look at the AMEB website here AMEB – why take an exam

Ensemble Transition

The new ensembles have made a great start over the last two weeks. I strongly encourage our older boys to consider how they can now step up as leaders in these newly formed groups while we welcome in some younger players. As we prepare for our final performances this year, the ensembles are working on the following repertoire –

Year 5 Strings – Jingle Bells and Midnight Feast

Camerata – Bells and Buccaneers and Rodeo

Sinfonia – Fantasy on Aloha ‘Oe and Joy to the World

Final Assessments

Students will be required to complete one final assessment this term. They will need to prepare a solo work to record either in their lesson or at home. Repertoire should be decided in consultation with your teacher. The due date for final assessments is 15th of November.

Mrs Kristen Duncan – Program Leader – Strings

Woodwind News

Congratulations to the following students for receiving the Woodwind Awards for 2024:

Junior School Woodwind Award – Elijah Wilson

Middle School Woodwind Award – Liam Galbraith

Senior School Woodwind Award – Adam Kielenniva

Following much deliberation, these students were selected based on their achievements this year, contribution to Villanova ensembles, and their alignment to the four Villanovan values – humility, community, restless search for truth, and interiority.

Term 4 Assessments

For those enrolled in lessons at school, your individual practical assessments will be due by the end of Week 8. This can be completed during lesson time or at home and uploaded to Teams. Ensure you double check with your teacher what has been set for you.

Home Practice

Regular practice is important but doesn’t need to be onerous. Create the habit of playing your instrument at home on a regular basis, even if it’s only 5-10 mins. Start by playing a piece that you enjoy. As you move into higher year levels and more advanced ensembles, increase this time to 10-20 mins.

Ensembles

2025 ensemble rehearsals have commenced in preparation for the Christmas Extravaganza on Tuesday 19 November. All boys should have been notified as to which ensemble they are a part of based on recent auditions. Please note that several considerations factor into your ensemble allocation, not only your audition.

Please ensure you are keeping on top of your ensemble repertoire. This should take priority in your lessons and practice before working on solos and other pieces. It’s often not necessary to practise an entire ensemble piece – just spend 5-10 mins on the tricky bits a few times a week. Listen to a recording several times to get a feel for the piece.

In the greatest bands, every player / instrument makes a valuable contribution with a unique and important role. Are you making a positive contribution to your band?

Lesson times

Lessons have been scheduled through to the end of Week 7. Your teacher will let you know if you have a lesson in Week 8. This will primarily be for boys that are behind on their lesson count for the year.

Continue to check lesson schedules posted on the pin board in the music department foyer. You can also find Mr Cav’s timetable outside the Green Room.

Chamber Ensembles

Chamber Winds will continue into 2025 as normal. This is an invitation only ensemble – if there is space to add new members, Mr Cav will be in contact.

We are seeking expressions of interest for the formation of a flute ensemble, clarinet ensemble and saxophone ensemble. If these ensembles gain enough traction, they will potentially replace the current Air Force ensemble. If you’d like to be involved in a flute, clarinet or saxophone ensemble, add your name to the sign-on sheet found on the Green Room door or outside Studio 4 (Level 1).

Mr Nicholas Cavallaro – Program Leader – Woodwind

Celebration of Excellence

This past Tuesday, our music department had the honour of contributing to the College’s annual Celebration of Excellence.  This event is always a great opportunity for us to showcase the talent and progress of our students, as well as providing our young musicians with the chance to play in Queensland’s premier Concert Hall.  I would like to extend my thanks to those staff and students who contributed to performances prior to and during the evening, along with our vocalists and pianists who assisted with our liturgy and College Anthem elements.

Christmas Extravaganza – Rehearsal for ALL musicians

Our annual Christmas Extravaganza is scheduled for Tuesday 19^th November, commencing at 6pm in Goold Hall.  We are looking forward to performances from all ensembles in our band, and strings programs, along with our guitar and choral students.  Information regarding the event will be sent home via email very soon.

This year, our staff have been developing a collaborative finale requiring all students to participate.  Accompanied by our Symphonic Band and Sinfonia String Orchestra, all other students will be involved in a massed choir performance of ‘Last Christmas.’  To ensure we perform this effectively, we will require everyone’s attendance at a rehearsal on Thursday 14^th November from 3:10-4:00pm in Hanrahan Theatre.  Students in Drumline will be required to attend the first 30 minutes of this session.  We thank you for your flexibility with this change and look forward to sharing this musical extravaganza with you all the following week.

Junior School Christmas Concert

The Junior School Christmas Concert will be convened at 10:00am in Hanrahan Theatre on Tuesday 19^th November.  This will comprise part of a JS Assembly.  All Year 5 students will be required to play in the Band and String Orchestra – these groups will be sharing a little Christmas joy – and we will be joined by our Junior School Wieneke Bursary winners.  Students are encouraged to bring a ‘Christmassy’ hat to wear to mark the occasion.  This will be the final performance for our Year 5 students in 2024.

Information regarding ticketing and a streaming link will be distributed next week.  We look forward to you joining us and celebrating another great year of music making with our 2024 Year 5 musicians!

Rehearsals and Lessons conclude Week 8

Upon conclusion of our Christmas Concert, all rehearsals for 2024 will conclude.  Some conductors may wish to convene a final session to celebrate the year – they will communicate this with families directly.  Students who have had their quota of lessons met across 2024 will not have lessons timetabled from Week 8 onward.