Instrumental Music

​​​​​​​​Instrumental Music at Runcorn SHS is a curriculum program where students have the opportunity to receive tuition on an instrument from an instrumental music specialist teacher. Through group tuition students will have the opportunity to learn a brass, woodwind, percussion or string instrument.

At Runcorn we believe that extra-curricular activities such as Instrumental Music provide a complimentary, enjoyable and positive contribution to a student's academic pursuits and we encourage all students to participate. We have a vibrant Instrumental Music program offering student's performance opportunities in Concert Band, Junior Strings, Senior Strings, Runcorn Pops Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble.

Students have the opportunity to continue learning their instrument into high school and we welcome beginner students who are interested in the instrumental music program at the start of each semester through a selection process. As part of the instrumental music program students have the opportunity to learn the following instruments:

Please note, should you accept an offer to join the Instrumental Music Program we require the following unconditional commitment (as outlined in the IM handbook​) in the following areas:

• Minimum 2 year commitment
• Weekly attendance to group lessons in school time
• Ensemble rehearsal either before or after school each week
• Music Levy payment
• Instrument hire payment (for students using a school instrument)
• Regular home practice each week
• Bringing required equipment to lessons and rehearsals each week
• Attendance at all required workshops and performances

Lessons and Rehearsals

Instrumental Music teachers arrange a roster for half hour music lessons, that rotate weekly so the student does not miss the same subject lesson each week. In case of a test/examination in a curriculum subject where the student is normally expected to be at an instrumental music lesson, the instrumental lesson is to be rescheduled.

Rehearsals are run by instrumental music teachers either before or after school once per week for each ensemble – Concert Band, Junior Strings, Senior Strings, Percussion Ensemble. Please note Pops Orchestra rehearses 2-3 times per term.

Bursary

As part of our program development and recruitment, all new students to Runcorn SHS in year 7 who choose to continue in or join the Instrumental Music Program will be offered a bursary which covers school fees for Year 7 and 8 ($350 p/a) and Instrumental Music fees for hire($100p/a) and levies ($75p/a). To be eligible for the bursary, students will need to fully commit to:

• attending 1 weekly lesson
• regular home practice
• participating in Karawatha Music Workshops at Runcorn SHS (Term 2)
• joining an ensemble (upon Instrumental Teacher advisement on progress)
• approved lesson, ensemble and performance attendance above 90%
• approved school attendance above 90%

Please contact the IM Coordinator Janita Phillips jphil35@eq.edu.au if you require further information.

Instrumental Music Events

• Senior Induction
• Term 1 Workshop Day
• ANZAC Day
• Karawatha Primary School Workshops
• Runcorn Heights SS Celebration Concert and Workshop
• Sound Garden – Lunchtime Concert
• Gig Night
• Creative Generation
• Arts Fusion
• Senior Formal
• Mini Karawatha Strings Workshop
• SHEP – State Honours Ensemble Program
• IM Gala
• Runcorn SHS Awards Day
• Runcorn SHS Awards Night
  

Performance Uniforms

​​​​   Ensembles:

• Concert Band
• Runcorn Pops Orchestra
• String Orchestra
• Pops Orchestra
• Chamber Ensembles

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