Music @ISHS gives students the opportunity to learn a range of instruments, perform a wide range of music, compose their own music and learn about different styles, genres and the history of music. Students build confidence through performance, as well as developing teamwork skills through rehearsing and performing as an ensemble.
In Years 7 & 8 students are able to select Music as a one semester elective a part of their compulsory Art curriculum offering. In Years 9 & 10, students can choose a year long elective in Music.
Students explore a variety of musical styles and genres, including rock, musical theatre and Australian music. Students demonstrate their knowledge of these styles through completing tasks in the following dimensions:
The Arts offers many opportunities for students to extend their musical interests through offerings in Choir, Concert Band, Stage Band, Strings Ensemble and the Instrumental Music Program.
Choir
The ISHS Choir is very active performing in both the school and wider local community. Students in Choir have the opportunity to build their confidence with frequent performances at school parade, local venues including Riverlink and the Workshops Museum, and community events such as ANZAC ceremonies. The choir is also heavily involved in the school musical production and competes in the Silkstone Eisteddfod. Choir rehearses on Wednesday mornings, 8‐8:45am.
Concert Band
Concert Band is the large ensemble for brass, woodwind and percussion instrumental students. Students perform a wide variety of music at venues including Riverlink and Dreamworld, as well as community events such as ANZAC ceremonies in the local area. It also competes at the annual Silkstone Eisteddfod. Concert Band is a great way for students to make friends and develop their musicianship skills. It rehearses every Friday morning from 7:45‐8:30am.
String Ensemble
Strings Ensemble provides instrumental strings students with the opportunity to play challenging music as part of a group. The group performs a wide variety of music, from classical to the latest releases. Playing in an ensemble strongly develops students’ musicianship skills and their confidence as performers, with the Ensemble competing at the annual Silkstone Eisteddfod and playing in the annual musical production. Strings Ensemble rehearses every Tuesday in Break 1.
Instrumental Music Program
Instrumental Music at ISHS gives students the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with a specialist instrumental music teacher. Students have a lesson every week in small groups of peers at the same skill level, as well as access to the various ensembles to develop their musical skills through performing as part of a group.
ISHS offers instrumental music lessons in brass, woodwind, percussion and strings. The lessons are free, with instruments available for hire, free of charge.
Learning a musical instrument can lead to various pathways, including performer, composer, conductor, teacher and a wide range of other roles within the music industry.
Instrumental Music at ISHS follows the Queensland state school syllabus, consisting of 5 proficiency levels achieved throughout the student’s time at school. These levels are designed to help students develop the necessary skills and techniques on their instruments so they can perform increasingly challenging music as they progress. They learn how to read music and the associated terminology as well as how to improvise on their instrument. These skills allow students to experience performing solo, with the ensemble opportunities extending these skills to following a conductor and demonstrating good performance etiquette.
The five levels are designed so that, when completed, students should be proficient, skilled and well-rounded musicians through weekly lessons, rehearsals and a significant amount of performance experience.