Geelong High School Benefits of Music Education Geelong High School submission to the Victorian State Government inquiry into the benefits of music education Geelong High School “Music is the best part of school for me because it is so different and fun and you get to have an experience that you generally don’t get a chance to have anywhere else. It is a unique experience. Music is my passion, my life, my happy place and hopefully my future. All people should be able to experience this.” Sarah – Year 9 Geelong High School, 2013 Geelong High School is a single campus Year 7 – 12 co-educational school located near the centre of Geelong, “The city by the Bay”. Established in 1910, GHS is one of the oldest secondary schools in the region. It has a proud history, celebrating its centenary in 2010, and is held in high regard by the Geelong community. Current enrolment is approximately 925 students drawn mainly from the nearby areas of East and South Geelong and Newcomb. The current SFO (Student Family Occupation Index) is .5716 which represents a significant increase over the past 5 years and indicates moderately high levels of social and economic disadvantage within the community. Geelong High School has a vibrant, diverse and inclusive music program. Classroom Music Program As part of the school curriculum all Year 7 and Year 8 students undertake an intensive five week music course as part of the Arts & Technology rotation. Students learn to play keyboards, guitars and drums as a soloist and class ensemble and learn to read basic notation and develop their aural perception and analytical skills. A focus of this five week unit is a performance by Dance, Drama and Music classes collectively at the end of each unit. Students can choose the elective subjects Music Performance – Instrumental, Music Performance – Vocal and Advanced Music Studies as part of the Year 9 and 10 ILP Program (Individual Learning Pathways). These subjects focus on developing student’s instrumental/vocal skills, theory and aural skills, composition, arranging and performance skills. A key element of these subjects is regular performances for students, parents and local Primary Schools. These subjects are becoming an increasingly popular for students in Years 9 and 10. Music Performance – Solo & Group – are offered as VCE subjects. In 2013 Music Performance has 19 students enrolled in the course. Classes meet the requirements of the VCAA guidelines Students perform regularly within the school, evening concerts and community events. The average ATAR score for Music Performance students in 2012 was 35. “I’ve always loved music but always been too scared to perform and when I started music it has helped build my confidence and it helps me be more confident in talking in class. Music is a way for me to get away from things. It’s my favourite class and I am better at music than anything else. I just love music. It’s a creative class that inspires me to become a signer and to be the best I can be.” Year 9 classroom music student Co-curricular Instrumental Music Program – Geelong High School All students at Geelong High School can participate in the co-curricular Instrumental Music program. This program involves approximately 150 students with all these students actively involved in the band and choral program. This represents over 16% of the school population involved in the voluntary co-curricular Instrumental Music program. Students participate in Year 7 Band, Intermediate Band, Senior Concert Band, Junior and Senior Choir, Stage Band and various small ensembles. These various ensembles rehearse together after school, during school and perform regularly at school functions, assemblies, community events, Primary Schools. Major performances and activities each year include: Annual Music Evening featuring all ensembles. Held in Term 4 each year to celebrate and acknowledge the work of these performance groups throughout the year. Participation in eisteddfods and community music events – Royal South Street Competition, Geelong Show Band Competition, Geelong Schools Music & Movement Festival, Geelong Annual Wind Band Showcase, Primary School Fetes. Annual Year 7 Band tour visiting local Primary Schools – visit 6 Primary Schools in two days and perform for over 1000 students. Music Soirees for soloists, Year 7 Music Evening, VCE recitals throughout the year. Performances at school assemblies and official ceremonies – Investiture Ceremony, Presentation Day, ANZAC day and Open Night for prospective students & families. Geelong Government Schools Combined Band program. In collaboration with Newcomb Secondary College and Belmont High School a combined band program was established in 2011 to provide emerging musicians the opportunity to participate in a large scale Concert Band with a full complement of instruments. The program consists of one full day of rehearsals in preparation for performance at the Geelong Schools Music & Movement Festival (2012) and the Geelong Wind Band Showcase (2011). Day and overnight camp program for Year 7 Band and Senior Concert Band. Figure 1 - Year 7 Band 2012 Figure 2 - Junior Choir 2010 “Music at Geelong High School allows all students to achieve to their full potential in every facet of the art form possible. Opportunities are given to students to expand their creative minds and develop their technical skills under the mentorship and expertise of highly talented and experienced teachers. The vast range of music groups and programs has flourished and will continue to grow and leave a lasting impression on the Geelong community into the future.” Julianna Garcia – Dance & Psychology teacher, Assistant House Leader GHS Figure 3 - Year 7 band performing at South Geelong Primary School “The students at South Geelong Primary love the visits from Geelong High's Year 7 band. As well as the variety of instruments, the music is really engaging and the band members are a great model of ensemble performance. Over the years a number of our students have been inspired through this experience to take up an instrument in high school. " Martina Golding – Music teacher South Geelong PS Administration of Music Program at Geelong High School Allocated teaching time and fee structures 1.2 instrumental teaching allocated time on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments– funded by Geelong High School. Students are not charged for lessons but are expected to participate in the Concert Band program. 1.0 classroom teaching time – Year 7 &Year 8 Core program – Year 9 & Year 10 Elective subjects – VCE Music Performance (Units 1 – 4) 0.1 choral teacher – 50 students in two choirs (no charge to students) Geelong High School has a range of woodwind and brass instruments available for hire - $200 per year. Private instrumental music staff – piano, guitar, voice and piano. Students pay private staff directly 0.1 choral teacher – 50 students in two choirs (no charge to students) Figure 4 – Year 7 violin student All instrumental music students pay a yearly $80 music subject levy The instrumental music program is a self -funded program. Monies generated by the subject levy and hire fees GHS School Council and Parents & Friends provide extra funding to purchase specialist music equipment. Instrumental Music lessons, ensemble rehearsal schedule and classroom music allotment in the school timetable Year 7 and Year 8 core music program as part of the Arts & Technology - 5 periods per week for five weeks Year 9 and Year 10 music elective subjects – 5 periods a week for one semester VCE Music Performance Units 1 to 4 – 5 periods a week Instrumental lessons – 30 minute weekly lesson with specialist teacher during class time on a rotating timetable in groups for junior students and where possible individual lessons for senior instrumentalists. Choir rehearsals held once a week for one period during class time on a rotating timetable Instrumental students – woodwind, brass and percussion are expected to participate in one Concert Band – Junior, Intermediate and Senior Band. These groups rehearse together once a week for an hour. Rehearsals are held after school. These ensembles perform regularly at school functions, band competitions and community events outside school hours and all students are expected to participate. Geelong High School Music Program – achievement, engagement & community Achievement: Past students have gone onto study music at a tertiary level. Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University. Past students have joined the Armed Forces Bands as practicing musicians. Past students continue to participate and play music in professional and amateur groups, theatre companies and community groups. All instrumental students are encouraged to sit for externally assessed Australian Music Examination Board exams on their chosen instrument Students regularly participate in solo & ensemble performances for their families, peers and in the school community to celebrate their achievement and development. GHS School Council has approved and will fund four Music Scholarships for incoming Year 7 students to participate in the Music Program. Participation in Eisteddfods and Music competitions Engagement: Ongoing development of programs, repertoire and activities that take into account student’s interests, needs and musical development. Peer mentoring – senior students assist with instrumental tuition, rehearsals, selection of repertoire Assist House Leaders and well-being staff to encourage students to participate in the Music Program. Challenge