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This booklet provides students and parents with information about ensembles, fees payable, school procedures and student responsibilities. All this information and a copy of this booklet can be downloaded from http://mosmanhighmusic.wordpress.com

Mosman High School Creative and Performing Arts Department

2016 Music Ensemble Handbook Extra-Curricular Music Program

P&C Music Committee

Photo by Joern Harris

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Mosman High Extra-Curricular Music Program . . . a tradition of musical excellence

At Mosman High music is an exciting part of many students' lives. The extra-curricular Music Program is open to EVERYONE and extends talented students in addition to their classroom music lessons. Whether you like to play an instrument, be part of a band or sing in a choir, there is room to explore and express individual musical tastes. There is a great diversity of talent and interest amongst our students at Mosman High, with some representing the school at regional, state and international level. Plus, you can take part in as many ensembles for which you qualify.

In 2016 there will be three choirs and seven instrumental ensembles. These are made up of students from Years 7–12 who rehearse weekly. Performing is an important part of the music program and students are expected to participate in all school concerts, competitions, local music festivals and performance opportunities.

Students are expected to join for a minimum of one year, attend all rehearsals on time and attend all workshops. To maintain the standard of the ensemble all students are expected to practise and receive 30 minutes of private tuition each week. Tutoring for vocalists as well as many instruments can be arranged by the school

Ensemble Fees are payable annually, in advance, to the Mosman High School P&C Music Committee by Week 4, Term 1. These fees are in addition to the school contributions and any private tutoring. Participation in tours is optional but, to be eligible, students MUST have participated in an ensemble for a minimum of one term and paid the annual ensemble membership fees. To Register:

1. Read this Music Ensemble Handbook (2016)

2. Register Online https://www.mosmanhighmusic.wordpress.com

3. Pay online into Music Committee bank account by Friday 19th February 2016.

4. Any Queries? Email: mosmanhighmusic@gmail.com

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Ensembles

Concert Band rehearses 7.45am Friday and is the starting point for all Year 7. Year 7 Special Music students who play concert band instruments are expected to participate. However, all students, including beginners, are welcome and encouraged to enrol. Mr Oliver Leimbach directs this band.

Performance Band rehearses 8.30am Wednesday and is for experienced players from Year 8 and up. Year 7 musicians may be offered the opportunity to audition during Term 1. If successful they are then expected to also continue playing in the Concert Band. Mr Todd Hardy directs this band.

Junior Jazz Band rehearses 7.45am Tuesday and is open to all new and aspiring jazz musicians. Mr Joern Harris directs this band.

String Ensemble rehearses 8am Thursday and is open to all string players: violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Ms Leone Ziegler directs this ensemble.

Acoustic Guitar Ensemble rehearses 8.30am Wednesday, and welcomes all levels of players; from beginners through to experienced, and is directed by Mr Gavin Libotte.

Year 7 ‘Concina’ Choir rehearses 3.20pm Tuesday, is open to Year 7 and is directed by Mr Jeff Longhurst.

‘Bel Canto’ Choir rehearses 3.20pm Monday is open to Years 8 & 9 and is directed by Ms Rachel Collis.

‘VoxEns’ Choir, rehearses 8.30am Wednesday, is open to Years 10, 11, 12 and experienced singers by invitation and is directed by Ms Elizabeth Propsting.

Senior Jazz Band rehearses 3.20pm Thursday and is the premier Jazz ensemble; entry is by invitation only and is directed by Mr Todd Hardy.

Chamber Ensemble rehearses 7.45am Monday. It is a small ensemble that provides talented wind players with extension. Entry is by invitation and is directed by Ms Amanda Hollins.

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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2016 Ensembles

Instrumental Eligible Director Rehearsals

Concert Band Everyone Ollie Leimbach Friday 7.45am

Performance Band By Audition Todd Hardy Wednesday 8.30am

Junior Jazz Band Everyone Joern Harris Tuesday 7.45am

Senior Jazz Band By Invitation Todd Hardy Thursday 3.20pm

String Ensemble Everyone Léone Ziegler Thursday 8.00am

Guitar Ensemble

Chamber Ensemble

Everyone

By Invitation

Gavin Libotte

Mandy Hollins

Wednesday 8.30am Monday 7.45am

Everyone Léone Ziegler Thursday 8.30am

Choirs

Concina

Bel Canto

Year 7

Year 8 9

Jeff Longhurst

Rachel Collis

Tuesday 3.20pm

Monday 3.20pm

VoxEns

Yr 10 11 & 12

+by Invitation

Liz Propsting

Wednesday 8.30am

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Performances

Akoosticum: (March) Mosman High “Unplugged’: solos, duets, groups,

bands, ensembles of jazz, rock, folk, and music performers all rolled into one concert. Open to all students by audition.

Winter and End of Year Concerts (June & Dec) are an exciting

evening of musical, dance and drama performances, jam-packed with talent. Open to all students by audition.

Ensemble Encore (August) is an evening that showcases all of Mosman

High’s musical and choral ensembles performing a wide variety of repertoire.

Jazz in the Gallery (August) A social event of dining and dancing to the

smooth tones of Todd Hardy’s professional jazz band with guest performances by Mosman High’s music directors, tutors and supported by the Mosman High Senior Jazz Band.

Other Performances may include school assemblies, community

performances, Sydney Eisteddfod, Go Bravo Showcase, Manly Jazz Festival, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall and School Spectacular, as opportunities arise.

Music Tours are organised by the school every year and alternate between

travelling to Australian regional areas and internationally.

Regional tours are open to everyone who has paid their annual

ensemble fees by the due date. In 2016 the group will travel to Northern NSW for three days and two nights.

Overseas Tour - Eligibility for overseas tours is based on audition,

experience and regular & prompt ensemble attendance. The tours are optional but full payment of annual ensemble fees and continuing participation in a school ensemble for a minimum of one year is mandatory. For International Tours the committee charges each international touring student $200 to cover extra rehearsals.

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Uniform

Girls Performance pants are available through music committee- email mosmanhighmusic@gmail.com to request try on and purchase details.

Performance Band, Jazz Bands, Concert Band, Guitars: Black

trousers, socks and leather shoes. Long-sleeved white collared ‘business’ shirt and school tie. NO skirts, jeans or leggings.

Choirs & Chamber Ensemble: Girls: black ¾ sleeve scoop-neck shirt

from Supre, Boys: plain black long-sleeved collared business shirt (no logos). Everyone: Black trousers, socks & leather shoes. Pashminas are loaned to choir students by the school at the event.

String Ensemble: Girls: long-sleeved white shirt, black pants/long skirt,

black socks or tights. Boys: white shirt, black pants, black socks. Everyone: Black leather shoes.

Senior Jazz Band: Band uniform plus optional black suit jacket

Student’s Responsibilities

Fee Payment Annual fees must be paid in full by Friday 19th February 2016 for students to

be allowed to participate in an ensemble or any tours.

Students eligible for Student Assistance should contact the Principal, in which event ensemble membership fees may be waived.

Late payment, or alternative payment plans, must be arranged in writing with the Music Committee Treasurer or the student will be temporarily suspended from rehearsals and performances until an arrangement is finalised.

Attendance Weekly attendance of rehearsals is essential for the steady progress of each

ensemble. Without 100% attendance at ensembles, progress is compromised.

Students are expected to attend ensemble performances at community events, competitions, eisteddfods and festivals (inside and outside of school hours). Tours are not compulsory.

Absentees Students who are unable to attend a rehearsal or performance must

email the Music Committee in advance– mosmanhighmusic@gmail.com.

A monitoring system for absences is in place. If a student is absent from a rehearsal without an excuse parents will be asked to provide an explanation.

Being absent does NOT constitute a reduction in fees.

School excursions and exams that run on the same day, but not during the rehearsal time of an ensemble, do not count as a valid reason to be absent. All rehearsals will be held unless notified by email or txt. (including excursions, athletics / swimming carnivals).

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Promptness Students must arrive in time to set up and start playing at rehearsal time.

Lateness is disruptive and unfair to those who have arrived on time.

Behaviour Students must be courteous at all times, patient, co-operative, reliable,

suitably attired, enthusiastic and keen to learn.

A successful ensemble relies on personal commitment and effort.

Students are expected to help transport general equipment to and from performances.

Withdrawal from the Program Students must give written notification to the Music Committee if they wish to

discontinue their membership in an ensemble.

Instrument Security

Instruments may be stored at school in the music room on the days when ensemble rehearsals take place. They are to be collected at the end of that day, i.e., 3.20pm. Please use the labeled spaces to store them neatly and with care. No responsibility is taken for private instruments that are damaged while stored at school.

Private Voice and Instrument Tuition

All ensemble members are expected to receive 30 minutes private tuition each week. It is not the role of the Director to teach students how to, sing, play or tune their instruments. Those students who have difficulty reading music are expected to seek help from a tutor to improve their skills.

The school music department organises private tuition for voice and most instruments. The tutor’s fees are paid directly by the parent to the tutor and are in addition to ensemble fees. To arrange this print the appropriate form (page 10 of this document), complete it and return it directly to Mr Longhurst in the music department.

Instrument Loan / Maintenance

The MHS Music Department lends instruments, where available, to students participating in extra-curricular ensembles. Borrowers will be asked to sign a Loan agreement and charged a bond to cover the service fee; the balance of which will be returned once the service is complete.

The borrower must also pay for any repairs necessary due to damage caused through the borrower’s negligence. All school instruments must be returned to Todd Hardy by the end of Term 4 each year, or upon withdrawal from the ensemble program.

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Ensemble Fees

2016 Ensemble Fee Schedule

Full rate: Choir, Band, Chamber, Guitars & String Ensembles

Annual Fee $450

Siblings

Annual Fee $300

Fees are paid to the MHS P&C Music Committee. Payment of Ensemble Fees entitles the student to attend any of the ensembles to which they qualify. Sibling Rate If one child is paying $450 then the second child is entitled to the Sibling Rate.

Extra Workshops Cost will be advised School Tie $20 available from the school office Private Tutoring arranged by the school & paid directly to the tutor

Annual fees Due: Week 4, Term 1 Friday 19 February 2016

1. Read this Music Ensemble Handbook (2016) 2. Register Online http://mosmanhighmusic.wordpress.com 3. Pay by bank transfer to

Mosman High Music Committee BSB: 062 207 A/C No: 1001 8226 REF: (invoice number or child’s name)

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Music Committee

The MHS Music Committee is a parent-run sub-committee of the MHS P&C. It

meets each month with the school music staff and principal to discuss

performance opportunities as well as to organise various fundraising and

social events.

Fee Collection

The committee collects ensemble fees to cover payment of ensemble

directors, sheet music, competition fees and excursion costs such as entry

fees, replacement teachers and transport to and from events.

Fundraising

From time-to-time the committee also helps coordinate fundraising for the

purchase of new instruments, supporting initiatives such as a piano

accompanist at lunchtimes, subsidised accompanists for HSC Music students

and overseas tour costs.

Meetings

All parents are welcome to attend the committee meetings on the Tuesday

prior to the P&C meeting (usually the 3rd Thursday of each month).

Music Committee Executive

Chair Angela Lehmann 0404 356 068

Secretary Jo Carter

Treasurer Traicha Aspley 0410 629 230

Assistant Libby Wyse 0414 329 478

Ensemble Manager Cindy McCullum 0416 009 948

Email mosmanhighmusic@gmail.com

Blog http://mosmanhighmusic.wordpress.com/

MHS Ensemble Handbook (2016)

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Complete and Return this page to Mr Hardy/Mr Longhurst if you would like the school to organise private musical instrument or voice tuition . . .

Permission to Participate in the Private Instrumental Instrumental/Vocal

Instruction Program

NB: This form must be completed and personally handed to Mr Longhurst or Mr Hardy

I, the parent/guardian of the Mosman High student named below, request that my

son/daughter attend private instrumental lessons during school time and agree to pay the tutor

for lessons upon receiving an invoice.

I understand that the timeslot for the ½ hour music lesson will be rotated across the lesson

times the tutor has available from week to week as much as is practical; and that it is the

responsibility of the student to collect and catch up any missed class work.

Student Name………………………………………………………..

Roll Class …………………………………………………………….

Instrument …………………………………………………………..

Mobile Number ……………………………………………………..

Email ………………………………………………………………….

Student Signature ………………………………………………….

Parent/ Guardian…………………………………………………….

Home address ……………………………………………………….

Mobile Number ………………………………………………………

Email ………………………………………………………………….

Signature …………………………………Date …………………