Ascham offers individual woodwind, brass and percussion tuition to students from Years 3 to 12. These are one-to-one lessons within the school day, usually on a rotating timetable. Lessons are 30 to 40 minutes each, depending on a girls’ year group.
There are many performance opportunities for woodwind, brass and percussion students at Ascham. Apart from the various Ensembles that meet weekly we have a number of Twilight Concerts and Soirees throughout the year. Any girls studying outside the school are welcome to audition to join one of the ensembles or to perform in any of the Twilight Concerts.
Each year, all woodwind, brass and percussion students are required to participate in a process that examines the progress they have made throughout the year. This can take the form of an AMEB examination (or equivalent) or the annual Ascham Review, in which all girls studying an instrument demonstrate some technical ability and perform one piece of their choice. This Review usually takes place in Term 3.
Woodwind: Natascha Harris (clarinet and saxophone), Peter Leung (clarinet and saxophone) , Noriko Shimada (bassoon), Mark Bruwel (oboe), Anna Cooper, Julia Sharratt (flute)
Brass: Kyle Eardley (trumpet), Michael Dixon (French horn), Paolo Franks (trombone and euphonium)
Percussion: Jon Collins (drums), Sandy Sin (mallet percussion)
Ascham offers individual guitar tuition to students from Years 4 to 12. These are one-to-one lessons within the school day, usually on a rotating timetable. Lessons are 30 to 40 minutes each, depending on a girls’ year group.
Girls who learn guitar are expected to have their own instrument and it is preferred that beginners purchase an acoustic nylon string (classical) guitar with a soft case. The school does not hire guitars as they are relatively inexpensive to purchase in comparison with other instruments.
As a general rule girls in Year 4 or 5 will require a ¾ size guitar, unless they are particularly tall. From Year 6 upwards a full-size is required. If you are unsure this can wait until the first lesson and the teacher will advise you. Any Tutor books required will be supplied by the school and charged to your school account.
There are many performance opportunities for guitar students at Ascham. Apart from the various Guitar Ensembles that meet weekly we have a number of Twilight Concerts and Soirees throughout the year. Any girls studying guitar outside the school are welcome to join one of the guitar ensembles or to perform in any of the Twilight Concerts. Please contact the Music Department as above.
The school also runs a Rock Band program for those girls who already play the electric guitar or bass guitar. Enquiries via music@ascham.nsw.edu.au
Each year, guitar students may participate in a process which examines the progress they have made throughout the year. This can take the form of an AMEB examination or the annual internal Guitar examinations, in which girls studying guitar demonstrate some technical ability and perform one piece of their choice. There are also Auditions for Senior Guitar Orchestra which usually take place in Term 4.
Mr Murilo Tanouye (Coordinator), Mr Darryl Rule, Mr Brett Gómez
Ascham offers individual instrumental tuition on violin, viola, cello and double bass from Prep to Year 12. We strive to deliver stimulating lessons to engage students’ creativity and intellectual curiosity while placing a strong focus on musical literacy, technical advancement and artistic vibrancy. Lessons range from 30, 40 or 60 minutes duration, depending on each student’s year group and playing level.
In addition to individual instrumental lessons, ensemble participation plays a vital role in facilitating a well-rounded development. Students are able to apply to a group context the individual instrumental skills learned in private lessons such as intonation, dynamic control and articulation while further refining their analytical listening. Through working together and engaging in meaningful musical exchanges, students learn about teamwork, organisation, discipline and rehearsal etiquette.
Ascham offers individual instrumental tuition on violin, viola and cello from Prep School to Year 2. Students also have the opportunity to learn double bass from Year 1. Individual string tuition in Hillingdon places a strong emphasis on musical literacy and fundamental postural setup to enable a sound platform for continuous development.
In addition to their individual instrumental lessons, Hillingdon string students participates in a weekly group lesson with a focus on developing their ensemble playing skills, sight reading skills and to further enhance their playing posture and technique. These group lessons provide a valuable ensemble playing experience for students. Students who learn a string instrument externally are also invited to participate in the Hillingdon string group program.
The annual Hillingdon Strings Concert in Term 4 showcases all the Hillingdon string groups.
There are five string ensembles in Fiona catering for the many students who learn string instruments as part of the Ascham String Program as well as any students who may learn a string instrumental externally. All the ensembles perform at various concerts throughout the year, providing valuable performing experience for students.
As part of the Year 3 Instrumental Program, the Year 3 String Ensemble provides further ensemble playing experience for Year 3 string students who have previously undertaken string tuition as part of the Hillingdon String program. The ensemble rehearses on Thursday mornings from 8.15 to 8.55am.
Year 3 String Ensemble performs in the Year 3 Instrumental Program Concerts throughout the year.
Corelli Strings is a junior training string orchestra of approximately 35 students. The ensemble introduces ensemble playing experience in multiple parts for string students who are playing at an elementary level. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate competent performance skills as well as an understanding of musical notation and basic postural set up. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 3.15 to 4.30pm.
Corelli Strings perform in the annual Strings Concert, the Fiona Music Camp Concert and the Fiona Instrumental and Choral Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the two-day Fiona Music Camp in Term 2.
Vivaldi Strings is an intermediate training string orchestra of approximately 35 students. The ensemble caters for students who are playing at an intermediate level and undertakes more challenging repertoire which introduces more intricate ensemble skills. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate proficient performance skills as well as a thorough understanding of musical notation and postural set up. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 3.15 to 4.30pm.
Vivaldi Strings performs in the annual Strings Concert, the Fiona Music Camp Concert and the Fiona Instrumental and Choral Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the two-day Fiona Music Camp in Term 2.
Kreisler Ensemble is an advanced string orchestra of approximately 25 students. The ensemble caters for students who are playing at a more advanced level and undertakes more complex repertoire which further extends students’ ensemble skills. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate well-developed performing skills as well as a thorough understanding of musical notation and position playing. The ensemble rehearses on Tuesday afternoons from 3.15 to 4.30pm.
Kreisler Ensemble also participates in the annual Combined School Festival with Somerville House School where students from both schools combined to partake in an intensive three-day workshop.
Kreisler Ensemble performs in the annual Strings Concert, the Fiona Music Camp Concert, Fiona Grandparents Day, the Hillingdon Strings Concert and the Fiona Instrumental and Choral Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the two-day Fiona Music Camp in Term 2.
Ascham Grammar String Ensemble is an advanced string orchestra comprises of advanced string students from both Ascham School and Sydney Grammar Edgecliff Preparatory School. The inclusion of more advanced players enables this ensemble to undertake more challenging repertoire to extend students’ ensemble playing skills. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate superior performing skills with evidence of lyrical expression and effective display of technical facility that incorporates position work and vibrato. The ensemble rehearses at Sydney Grammar School on Wednesday afternoon from 4.00 to 5.00pm.
Ascham Grammar String ensemble takes part in concerts at Ascham and Sydney Grammar throughout the year. All members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the three-day music camp in March.
Ascham Strings is a string ensemble of approximately 25 students. Ascham Strings caters for students who are playing at an intermediate level, providing essential training in ensemble playing skills. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate competent performance skills as well as a thorough understanding of musical notation and postural set up. Ascham Strings rehearses on Wednesday from 7.50 to 8.50am.
Ascham Strings performs in the annual Strings Concert and the Senior Music Camp Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the three-day Senior Music Camp in Term 2.
Sinfonietta is a string ensemble of approximately 25 students who are playing at a more advanced level. The incorporation of more challenging repertoire provides students the opportunity to further develop their ensemble playing skills. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate well-developed performance skills with a thorough understanding of effective technical delivery. Sinfonietta rehearses on Wednesday from 7.50 to 8.50am.
Sinfonietta performs in the annual Strings Concert and the Senior Music Camp Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the three-day Senior Music Camp in Term 2.
Camerata is the most advanced of Ascham’s string ensembles and caters for students who are playing at the highest level. The advanced level of repertoire performed by Camerata is indicative of the high standard required for individual players to be selected for the ensemble. There is a strong focus on precise technical delivery with a high level of musical expression and stylistic awareness. Entry is by audition only and students need to demonstrate superior understanding of their instrumental and ensemble skills. Camerata rehearses on Wednesday from 7.50 to 8.50am.
Camerata performs in the annual Strings Concert, the Senior Music Camp Concert as well as the Christmas Concert. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances as well as the three-day Senior Music Camp in Term 2.
Chamber ensembles such as string quartets and piano trios are offered to more advanced players, providing an unique performance experience for students to work together in an intimate ensemble setting as soloists. Weekly rehearsals take place during school hours. Chamber ensembles perform in Twilight Concerts throughout the year as well as the Chamber Music Evening in Term 4.
The Senior String Quartet also performs at school functions and other public forums.