The current Director of Preparatory School Music is Mrs Sheryl Southwood DSCM(Hons) (Teacher’s), L.Mus.A.

Ms Nicole Smeulders M.Mus.Ed. (NSW Consv. of Music), L.T.C.L., A.Mus.A (Singing), A.T.C.L.(Piano) is part time. Together, they share the responsibility of teaching the Class Music Programme.

Class Music
From Kindergarten to Year 6, each class attends Music lessons. These provide the basis upon which other musical activities are built. Instruction in the reading of musical notation (a sequential developmental Kodaly based approach), as well as performance and listening skills, forms a large part of the programme. The use of tuned percussion instruments and techniques in composition are features of the work in primary grades. Each Infants’ class has two periods per week, while primary classes have an individual class period as well as a year group singing/listening period each week. All lessons are half an hour in duration.

The Trinity Singers

History
The Trinity Singers were formed in 1980 by the former Director of Preparatory School Music, James Southwood OAM. The aim was to create an auditioned choral group of excellence, which would be the leader for all other musical groups in the Preparatory  School.  Under his direction, the Trinity Singers achieved an enviable reputation among the Independent Schools’ community. In the Eisteddfodau in which they participated over the years, the Singers never came less than first. They were regularly invited to perform at festivals, concerts and various charity and community events. Over the years, they have performed at all the major venues in Sydney, including the Opera House, Sydney Town Hall and Entertainment Centre. In 1997, the Singers were invited to perform with two visiting choirs from Japan in a cultural exchange concert in the Opera House. In 2010, the Trinity Singers celebrated 30th anniversary with a recital in MacLaurin Hall, University of Sydney. Some of the original Singers and other ex- Singers joined the present ones in combined items. This was an appropriate gathering to acknowledge the vision of James Southwood OAM.

Membership
The current Director of Preparatory School Music, Mrs. Sheryl Southwood, is responsible for the auditioning as entrėe into the Trinity Singers. Commitment to this group is for three years, Years 4 to 6. At the end of each year, parents of Year 3 boys must give permission for their son to audition. The auditions are held for several weeks, giving each and every boy the opportunity to gain confidence and for the definitive blend of voices to be established. This blend of voices is the key to continuing the fine quality singing. Sixteen boys are selected, to join the sixteen from each of the years five and six.

Performances
Combined rehearsals for firsts and seconds are held on Tuesday afternoons from 3.15pm – 4.30pm and Friday mornings from 8.00pm – 8.30am with separate ones for firsts on Wednesdays 8.00pm – 8.30am and seconds on Thursdays 8.00pm – 8.30am.   The repertoire includes both sacred and secular music. The Singers sit together for our morning Chapel services. In Terms 1 and 2, they sing anthems at the Family Services for the Primary years, which are held in the War Memorial Chapel, Summer Hill Campus. Similarly, in Term 3, they contribute to the worship for the Infants’ Family Services held in our Prep Chapel.

Each year, they are join with the Junior School Choir for the Primary Years Arts’ Festival, in the Assembly Hall, Summer Hill Campus. They continue to bring joy to themselves, their parents and the School community with their performances.

The traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols completes the year. In the recent years, this service has been held in St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Strathfield.

The Trinity Singers have been invited to sing at civil and other public functions as well as weddings of former Singers, and are always pleased to do so.

Choir
Boys in Years 5 and 6 may join the Choir. Membership is voluntary and, together with the Trinity Singers, numbers some 80 boys. The Choir provides music for services, official occasions and concerts throughout the year.

Instrumental Programme
Individual instrumental tuition continues to be a strong focus of the Music Programme. Guidelines for the appropriate starting age and instrument are set out in the Instrumental Tuition application form. Discussions with the Director of Music regarding these are always welcome.

The timetable is a fixed one, organised by the Director of Music in collaboration with the boy’s year co-ordinator and class teacher. This programme has been running successfully for well over thirty years. Lessons are half an hour in duration. A written report by the student’s teacher is included in the Semester reports.

The boys may sit for music examinations. However, these are not compulsory.

Theory classes are offered to those boys in Years 5 and 6. The boys prepare for the AMEB public examination in August each year. Each boy’s parents are responsible for paying this fee. These classes are held during lunchtimes on Wednesday and Thursday.

Student Concerts
At the end of each semester, parents and friends are invited to attend their son's Students’ Concert in the Mozart Room. In these Concerts, all boys play a piece at whatever level of performance they happen to be. In this sense, these are workshop sessions where boys have the chance to hear others of their teacher's students perform. The benefits for the performers have proved extremely valuable and have a very positive effect on the boy's self confidence and self esteem. They are also excellent occasions for parents and teachers to meet and talk about the boy's progress etc.

Performances in Chapel
Boys. from both Primary and Infants, are encouraged to perform in Chapel. These are held on Tuesdays for Primary and Wednesday for Infants.

Group instrumental Tuition
In addition to the private lesson programme, the entire Year 2 group learn the violin and ‘cello for a full year. Those boys already learning a string instrument form another group working on various musical activities. These lessons are conducted in small groups and are both an awareness programme which enhances the class music lessons, as well as a talent identification programme for our string orchestra. As part of the class programme, parents are neither charged for lessons nor for the hiring of instruments.

Instrumental Ensembles
There are several groups in which boys can be involved. We welcome not only boys who learn at School but also any who learn outside School to join some of these ensembles. Possible options are:

The Chamber Orchestra
Our senior group Tuesdays 7.45 - 8.30 am  Mrs Southwood

The Chamber Ensemble
Tuesdays 1.05pm – 1.35pm by invitation Mrs Southwood

The String Orchestra
Fridays 3.00 - 4.00 pm  MS Smeulders

Concert Band
Thursdays 3.15 - 4.15 pm Mr Aschman

Training Band
Thursdays 3.14pm – 4.00pm Mr Shaw

Studio Teachers’ Ensembles
These are only for boys who learn at school - Flute - Mrs Neradilek and ‘Cello  - Mrs Palmer

Performances
The Chamber Orchestra always performs at the Annual Prize Giving at the end of the year. During the year, informal concerts are held for the parents.

As part of the Arts Festival, the Chamber Ensemble is invited to perform at the Organists and Chamber Music concert held within the War Memorial Chapel, Summer Hill Campus. For many years, this Ensemble has performed at the Citizenship Ceremonies at Strathfield Town Hall several times each year.

Regular performances of the String Orchestra showcase their progress for our parent body. These are held as part of their Friday afternoon rehearsals.

An initiative of the Head Master several years ago saw the combining of the Preparatory and Junior Schools in the Primary Arts Festival. This is held in Term 3, with combined choral, string and band workshops at the Strathfield Campus whilst the performances are held in the Assembly Hall, Summer Hill Campus.

The Training Band members have a similar performance focus as the String Orchestra.

Staff

Of the instrumental staff, Mrs. Antonia Deasey, Mrs. Jitka Neradilek, Mrs. Ludmila Palmer and Mrs. Jenni Trynes have each served Trinity loyally for over twenty- five years.