Junior School students at the Summer Hill campus have two music lessons per week. The first lesson is a class string lesson that is devoted to introducing students to string family instruments such as violin and cello.   In these classes the students are divided into two groups and facilitated by Mrs Julie Cunéo, Mrs Valeria Korjenevski and Mr Ronald Thomas. The second weekly lesson follows an individual class level developmental program that focuses on singing, aural, listening, eurhythmics, and performing skills covering a range of musical periods and genres. These classes also afford the students the opportunity to undergo intensive rehearsal on the musical chorus parts, as well as develop performance skills via end of term class concerts.

The Junior School students also have the opportunity to undertake private tuition in strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, keyboard and voice.  The half hour instrumental lessons are usually scheduled for Junior School students at the same time each week. At present over 60 per cent of students are involved in the Instrumental Programme. As a result they are able to be involved in a variety of Junior School ensembles, such as Mozart Strings, Vivaldi Strings, Junior School Concert Band and Guitar Ensemble.  If selected, some more advanced music students from the Junior School take up the opportunity to perform in the Middle School co-curricular music groups such as the Intermediate String Orchestra, Chapel Choir and Concert Band.


JUNIOR SCHOOL ENSEMBLES
Mozart Strings (K-2)
In 2007 Strings were introduced to the Lewisham Campus.  Any student undertaking instrumental tuition on a string instrument is given the opportunity to have additional supervised group practice sessions to support their individual lesson.  It is also another wonderful way for the Infants students to make music with their peers, gaining skills and understanding of the etiquette required for playing in an ensemble.

Junior School Choir
Since 2002 the Junior School Choir has grown from strength to strength under the direction of Mr Kirk Hume and Mr Peter Fox.  All new boys in Years 3 to 6 are auditioned for potential place in this Choir.  Rehearsals take place on Wednesday mornings for one hour and twenty minutes.  The repertoire of the Junior School Choir ranges from traditional folksongs to modern fun pieces.  A highlight for the Choir is the JSHAA Music Festival held at Sydney Town Hall, which the Choir performs in every two years.  Apart from singing at concerts and festivals, the Choir facilitates the worship at our Family Services held in our School Chapel.

Junior School Band
The Junior School Concert Band was formed in 2003 to cater for students who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. This ensemble caters for students who have only been learning for a few months through to Grade 5 A.M.E.B. standards. This ensemble rehearses for two-45minute sessions each week.

Guitar Ensemble
This Ensemble was formed in 2008 and caters for students who learn guitar privately.  Repertoire ranges from folk to popular music.

Intermezzo Strings
Intermezzo Strings was formed in 2007, and currently rehearses once a week for an hour during class time.  Students from Year 6 and Year 5 (and selected students from Year 4), who demonstrate an aptitude for playing a string instrument, are encouraged to join Intermezzo Strings.  Students in this ensemble do not necessarily need private instrumental tuition when they begin. However, it is hoped that after a term of being in the group, private instrumental tuition is undertaken.

Vivaldi Strings
Vivaldi String Ensemble is primarily for students undertaking private tuition.  This Ensemble is aimed at preparing students for the expectations and challenges of ensemble playing in the Senior School.  Their repertoire can be quite challenging and they rehearse once a week. Violin, viola and cello students from Year 4 to 6 can be involved in this ensemble. Repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary jazz pieces. This ensemble rehearses for one lesson per week before School.

PERFORMANCES
The Junior School performance ensembles have the opportunity to perform throughout the School year at the following School events:

• Weekly Chapel performances
• Junior School Concert Evenings
• JSHAA Music Festival, Sydney Town Hall
• Combined Junior School and Prep workshops and concerts
• Trinity Arts Festival
• Open Classes
• Family Services
• Gala Concert
• Prize Giving

To view a report on the Junior School Evening of Music 2005 please click here.