For those students passionate about music, there is a diverse range of opportunities to express their talent and skill. Music is, of course, an important component of the curriculum but it is in the co-curricular space where bands, vocal ensembles, choirs and instrumental groups publicly shine. After years of COVID-19 where musicians were unable to perform, we are encouraging one and all to get back on the stage.
Music starts at the very beginning
A Junior School education at TAS means music right from the start; from the pre-Kindergarten students all the way to Year 5 and with each year learning more and being exposed to a greater chance to find their musical threshold. Music across the school is only taught by professional music teachers in the specially designed Music Building which has dedicated spaces for music classes, bands, choirs and one on one tuition.
The Year 3 strings program and the Year 5 woodwind group are where we particularly focus on these musical skills with students who might otherwise not have realised they have what it takes to play a musical instrument.
Music in the classroom
In the classroom, modern and classical conventions as well as various world music traditions are taught by our outstanding staff. The teaching environment at TAS incorporates a range of activities catering to individual learning styles and fostering experiential learning. In implementing programs, the Music Department utilises an extensive range of state-of-the-art technologies including two recording studios to support music education.
Performance Music
It is vital for all musicians to have opportunities to perform in front of live audiences to build confidence through experience and to feed any young musician’s passion. Wherever we can, our musicians are on display; at school concerts, weekly assemblies, involvement in school musicals, Speech Days, the Armidale Eisteddfod or the TAS Reunion weekend. Wherever there is a chance to perform, we encourage our students to take it.
Performance groups include various vocal, strings, brass and wind ensembles; contemporary and rock bands to suit all ages and abilities. Then there are also the annual major school productions in Senior, Middle and Junior Schools which all have a musical component in them. This gives another avenue for students to develop and share their love of musical performance.
Boarders Music Practice
TAS borders are provided with supervised music practice times on evenings and weekends in the TAS Music Centre and members of the music department are always available for advice and to share their musical knowledge and skills.
Our Valued Musical Partners
In addition to the co-curricular music we provide at school, our students also have access to the exceptional New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) whose teachers and conductors are world class. Their symphony orchestras, ensembles, chamber choirs and young voice choirs are enriching for all involved. We encourage our musical students to broaden their horizons and to be involved in as much as they are able to manage.
Learn more about the New England Conservatorium of Music instrumental and vocal offerings.
Our Peripatetic Music Partners
The school is also privileged to have access to a range of highly talented professional peripatetic instrumental and vocal teachers in Armidale who come to the school for lessons with our students. Whether they wish to pursue formal qualifications such as AMEB grades, or simply to become more competent performers, Armidale has the most extraordinary depth of musical expertise.