CO-CURRICULAR MUSIC
Mt St Michael's college encourages our students to become aware of the power music has to touch the human spirit. Every student learning an instrument through the college should involve themselves in at least one ensemble (instrumental or vocal) as soon as skills are sufficiently advanced.
Membership in most groups at the College is open, (at the discretion of the Music Director). Students will be invited to join particular groups based on information regarding their skill levels obtained from their instrumental teacher. Membership in the MSM Singers, Senior Strings and the Chamber Music Program is by audition.
Individual Tuition in Voice, Speech and Drama, Theory of Music and all instruments of the woodwind, string, brass and percussion families. Please email the Director of Music, Ms Miriam Townsley for information on costs and enrolment details mtownsley@msm.qld.edu.au
Detailed information about the Music Program is available in the Co-curricular Music Handbook. An annual Music Information evening, including a Music Staff Concert will be held on Monday evening 7th February, 2011 from 6pm-7pm in the Ionian Centre Auditorium. Year 8 parents are especially encouraged to attend if their daughter sings, or plays an instrument.
College Choral Program
Liturgy Vocal Group
Singing the faith is an important part of the musical tradition of the College. Liturgy Vocal Groups are involved in leading the singing for College liturgies, ceremonies and Masses throughout the year. Rehearsals for this group are event-based rather than a weekly commitment. Students sing with microphones and have the opportunity for vocal solos. Repertoire is mainly modern and traditional hymns and other reflective or thematically suitable repertoire.
College Choir
The Mt St Michael's College Choir is a non-auditioned group with members from years 9-12. The Choir has achieved highly in previous years and successfully toured interstate as part of the Mt St Michael's College Cultural Tour. The Mt St Michael's College Choir is always a challenging and inspiring group to be in, and new members are always welcome.
YEAR 8 CHOIR
Year 8 Choir will be held on Tuesday lunchtimes in 2013. Starting in Week 2 with a Pizza Lunch and Singout, any Year 8 singers are invited to come along, chat to the Conductor and try out this group.
MSM Singers
This auditioned small vocal group is usually comprised of the older and more advanced singers of the College Choir. Their exciting performances are often enlivened by choreography and costumes. The audition for students in Years 9-12 will be held in Week 1, on Wednesday the 30th January, 2013 from 3:15pm-5pm approx. Material to be presented for audition is a chorus of an own choice song, and a canon, given out at the Choir Rehearsal on Tuesday the 29th of January, 2013, and also posted on the intranet and Music Noticeboard.
College Instrumental Program
String Ensemble/Senior Strings
The Mt St Michael's College String Ensemble is a string chamber orchestra, of violins, violas, cellos and double basses, sometimes supported by piano. Repertoire is mainly classical and light popular arrangements. They occasionally combine with the Concert Band to perform orchestral-style repertoire when necessary. Senior Strings is an auditioned Group of more advanced players who perform both classical repertoire as well as modern arrangements without conductor. Senior Strings Auditions will be held in Week 3. Check Music intranet and noticeboard for details.
Concert Band
The Mt St Michael's College Concert Band is a mixed instrumental ensemble that contains woodwind, brass and percussion instruments as well as percussion and drum kit. Under the expertise of conductor Major Laurie Young, this group plays a diverse range of repertoire and performs at various College and external functions.
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble regularly wow MSM audiences with their prowess. They have discovered a whole new world of repertoire access to the vast cultural riches of African hand-drumming and various other non-Western styles which they learn mainly by ear and through structured improvisation. Percussion Ensemble is also suitable for other instrumentalists such as singers and piano players who just love to feel the rhythm and the beat. Student need to apply to the Music Director to join this group; however, the group may be suitable for other instrumental students wishing to improve their rhythmic skills.
Flute Ensemble
The homogenous sound of a choir of flutes lends itself to a variety of repertoire. All levels from beginners to advanced are able to participate in this group that plays an eclectic range of repertoire arranged for this combination.
Guitar Ensemble
The Guitar Ensemble has been a great success since its inception. The repertoire is a mixture of soft rock and pop arrangements with some Spanish folk-style and Classical items added occasionally to the mix. Acoustic and electric guitars are played and strumming and finger-picking techniques are utilised. The group caters for all levels of learners from absolute beginners to more experienced musicians.
Chamber Music Program (various)
According to the needs and skills of students, from year to year the Co-Curricular Music Department will support smaller chamber groups such as string or wind quartets, jazz trios or quintets, etc. These groups are designed for especially advanced, keen and hard-working students who want the challenge of a smaller and more soloistic approach to ensemble playing.
Music Support Group
The Music Support Group provides valuable assistance to the Music Department with the organisation of concerts, music camps etc., within a fun, sociable environment that provides a great networking opportunity for like-minded parents. This group formed in 2009 and meets approximately 6 times a year. Convenor of the MSG in 2013 is Mrs Anne Kreutzer on gakreutz@bigpond.com
