January 26th, 2012
Welcome MEP members old and new to all the musical opportunities and pleasures that lie ahead in 2012!
First, an introduction: to our new program director, Murray Jackson, known to many at RBSC already through his roles as conductor of the senior stage band and saxophone tutor. Murray is also director of the ensembles program at Randwick Primary School. As well as having a great track record as a committed and passionate music educator in those and other roles, Murray is an extremely accomplished professional jazz performer and composer, known in particular for his work with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra. We’re very lucky to have Murray take the helm of the program and look forward to benefitting from his enthusiasm, efficiency and many good ideas. Any questions, he can be contacted at director@rbscmep.net.
Now, some important dates:
For new and prospective members
MEP Show and Tell is from 6.30-7pm on Monday February 6. If you want to join the program or think you might want to or just want to know more about it, come along! This is a very friendly introduction to the program and the people who make it happen – our program director, instrumental tutors, teachers and parents will all be there to provide all the information you need. Come early for free sausage sizzle and drink – available from 6pm.
Students who decide to join the program will need to audition (except for choir) – this is NOT AT ALL intimidating and no student will ‘fail’. Rather, it’s an opportunity for our program director to hear the students play and find out a little about their musical experience to date, to ensure they can be placed in the most appropriate ensemble. More details about auditions will be provided at the Show and Tell.
For existing members
While there may be some changes once new enrolments are settled in, for now the rehearsal timetable is the same as last year and all students will begin the year in the ensembles they were playing in before. First rehearsals for all ensembles EXCEPT junior stage band will take place in the week beginning Feb 6, and for junior stage band the following week, ie Monday Feb 13.
For everyone
Information about fees in 2012 can be found here. You can download the 2012 invoice here.
December 14th, 2011
Thank you to all the schools involved in the Combined Choir Concert last Thursday.
Everyone performed beautifully!
You may view a video of the Rose Bay Secondary College Choir and some photos from the night at the MEPs new facebook page. Please follow the link and like the page:
RBSC MEP Facebook Page
A big thank you to the wonderful parents and students that volunteered to help with the BBQ.
The night could not have been a success without you, so thank you so much for making time for the program.
It was great to have so many wonderful choirs involved in this years event and we are looking for to next years Combined Choir Concert Night.
See you at the next event!
December 7th, 2011
Exciting Opportunity for Choir Students:
Audition for Sydney Region Choir 2012
The choir is an auditioned choir for public school students from Year 5 to Year 12.
It has performed in prestigious events and places such as the Sydney Opera House, St Mary’s Cathedral, China, Hobart, Port Macquarie, The City Recital Hall, Christmas Day television, local and State music festivals, the NSW Schools Spectacular and charity concerts to support community projects.
Its members are tutored and mentored by experienced musicians with the aim of developing their music skills and confident vocal performance.
The first audition date is Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Sutherland Public School from 4:00pm. The second will be held early next year.
If accepted for 2012, students are required to attend one rehearsal per week in school term. The rehearsal venues to choose from are Sutherland Public School, Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:30 pm and Darlington Public School, 4:30 to 5:50 pm.
This choir has fees for tutoring and for music, CDs and uniforms.
For an audition please email: sydneyregionchoir@gmail.com
December 2nd, 2011
Click on the image for all the details of our program directors concert, December 11 at Music in the Lane …
November 16th, 2011
The string ensemble rose to new heights at the Randwick Community Fair last Saturday, which, even as an outdoor event (sound for string instruments is never terribly good in the open) was remarkably good. Many people commented on how good the kids sounded, how confidently they performed, and what a full and rich sound they made, (which was really encouraging given a number of key players couldn’t make it on the day). Truly, the newer generation of younger players in the school are starting to take their place in the group, and are rapidly (as much as learning a string instrument can ever be ‘rapidl’!!) developing the technique and experience to really make a difference and hold their own. I can hardly wait to start working with them next year, when we plan to perform “On the Edge”, (a new work I have composed especially for them, as well as four percussion players from the school percussion program……..Stay Tuned!!
October 29th, 2011
THIS WILL BE FUN! We’ve booked a table for MEP parents, staff and ex-students; judging from our performance last year (allegro con spirito but, hmm, not quite enough brio) we could do with some smart support this year so please join us! A great cause too and in need of everyone’s support so please, come along and be part of the MEP contingent – get in touch asap by emailing Kelly on admin@rbscmep.net.
September 20th, 2011
Well, it is the end of my first term here at Rose Bay Secondary College as the Music Ensembles Program Director. I would like to inform you of what a thoroughly enjoyable experience this term has been. I feel I have settled in well to the position and although Luke Gilmour left some very large shoes to filll, I believe that the program is doing well and the change of Director has not hindered the direction of the program or the attitude of both students and parents.
I am thoroughly impressed and extremely proud of the work that the students have been doing and the results they have achieved in this term. We started the term off well with some fantastic performances at the NSW band festival where all the students performed with skill and maturity. The results in general reflected well the effort that the students had put in and winning the two developmental awards will allow the students to gain some fantastic tutoring from some highly regarded and respected musicians in Sydney.
We followed the NSW Band Festival with some intense and effective rehearsals, where the students showed me how they could handle change and lifted their heads high with eagerness to learn.
We have had some behavioural issues in rehearsals, however these have not hindered the general growth of the ensembles and as the weeks go on these are becoming less and less of an issue. The students should be extremely proud of themselves for accepting the change of Director so well, for continuing to work hard and for achieving results far higher than I could ever have imagined in our first term working together.
I am confident that we will only continue to grow on this path together and that the students will only feel more and more comfortable with me as their Director. I would like to put out a big thank you to Mrs Donna Masterson our head of Creative and Performing Arts teacher, the parent committee and all the students for their fantastic support in this first term. Parents, remember there is always space for new members in the parent committee.
Lets all work hard together to continue to enrich these students with the beautiful gift of music.
yours sincerely
Jay Byrnes M.Mus
RBSC MEP DIRECTOR
September 10th, 2011
We are getting together at 7pm on September 15, the second and last meeting for the term. As well as the financial and Director’s reports we’ll be talking about the roles of the parent committee and thanking our long-serving, outgoing treasurer, Richard Salmon. Donna Masterson will update the group on the newly formed Rock Band program. Attendance is open to everyone.
Upcoming holidays is a great time to clean brass instruments. Keep your instrument in top condition by giving it a good wash this coming break. If you are using a school instrument it’s probably even more important to give it a good wash.
How to do this correctly – you’ll find instructions on how to clean brass instruments online, on websites such as ehow. Here’s a website for how to clean a trumpet correctly - http://www.ehow.com/how_4514_clean-trumpet.html and you will find instructions on all the others by using google.
August 14th, 2011
This message is for those yet to pay their semester 2 fees. These were due on August 1 and in far too many cases we’re still waiting ….
The amount owed is $200.
If you think you’ve already paid them, it may be that you’re thinking of the $200 you paid for semester 1. You may also have paid to take part in the tour to the Gold Coast, and you may have paid another amount as a music curriculum fee to the College. The amount you are now asked to pay (urgently) is for participation in the MEP program for terms 3 and 4.
People who haven’t paid semester 2 fees have been sent an email reminder with a link to the invoice and details of who/how to pay.
Please bear in mind that the successful operation of the program depends on the families involved meeting their financial commitments to it. Also, chasing up payments is a job no-one has time or inclination for. So please, get onto it pronto!
July 25th, 2011
What a teriffic result for our RBSC ensembles at the 50th NSW Bands Festival – The junior concert band earned a silver AND a development grant which means they will benefit from a workshop with Simon Threw.The Junior Stage Band also won Silver and ANOTHER grant – this time a workshop with John Morrison. It was very disappointing for Senior Concert Band to only be awarded a Bronze and the consensus was they should have received a higher grade – they certainly played beautifully, and produced a wonderful full sound for the relatively small group. The long wait for Senior Stage Band to play was vindicated when they finished up with GOLD - congratulations to all students, Jay and Murray for a top result.
Meanwhile, at the catering effort – we had a slow start on Saturday which was followed by a busy Sunday – selling out all food and netting around $3000 for the first weekend. Thanks to all the generous families who contributed time and food and our generous sponsors Bondi Tucker on Hall St, Bondi Beach.
We are convinced that having students (!) behind the counter, brings us luck and fortune so thanks to Luke and Hugh and Christian and Sarah and others, for their commitment and enthusiasm behind the counter, and indeed out on the floor, spruiking the wares. Any other students who can help out this coming weekend would be more than welcome.
We’ve got one more big weekend on deck and one last chance to make a lot of coin for the program. Two things will help us get over the line in term of our financial target of $7ooo – someone in every slot on the roster and lots and lots of baked donations. Sunday in particular will be flat to the floor – please take a look at the rosters and donations list on the NSW Bands Festival Page, and let us know if you can drop by with some food or take a shift behind the counter.
When you see the results our students can achieve – we know the hard work is worth it! Celia .
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Welcome to the online home of the RBSC Music Ensemble Program. Take a look around! You'll see that this parent-run program offers musical opportunities to all students, from beginners through to advanced musicians, whatever the instrument they play or want to play. All the information you need should be here - if not, let us know: email us or post your questions or suggestions.
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