Music 7-10 (Compulsory)
Music is a compulsory subject in Years 7 & 8. Students learn as much about music in these years as possible. The topics range from music notation through instruments of the orchestra to the music of Africa. A lot of the student’s work is recorded so they can take it home. Click on the link below to hear a group of year 7 students performing a piece of their own music.
This year students in Year 8 have learnt to play the drums. Most of them were recorded playing the new electronic drum kit. Click on the link below to hear a Year 8 student playing “Smoke On The Water”.
Students in both Years 7 & 8 learn to use computers to notate and create music. Year 7 students learn how to notate their compositions using Finale, while Year 8 students create a piece of Rock Music using Acid Xpress.
Click the link below to hear a piece created by a Year 8 student using Acid Xpress
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Year 7 composition by Nicholas Hall
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Elective Music Years 9-10
A number of students learn an instrument after school and it is usually these students who go on to do Elective Music in years 9 & 10. Elective students specialise on their chosen instruments. All of their performances and compositions are recorded and burnt onto a class CD at the end of the year.
Year 10 Students Honing their Skills |
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Senior Music Years 11 -12
Farrer has an excellent record of students who have performed with well above state average in the HSC. Many of our HSC music candidates have gone on to pursue music careers at university after achieving Band 6 results. We have enjoyed a diverse range of performers over the years ranging from Drums through Clarinet, Piano, French Horn and Guitar to Bass Guitar and Bassoon.
One of our candidates from the 2007 cohort, Tom Stent, was nominated for inclusion in Encore – a showcase of the best HSC performances of 2007.
One of our current Year 11 students has been invited to tour Paris, Salzburg and Vienna with a touring wind ensemble next year. |
A sample of the score of one of our Year 12 HSC compositions
Click the link to hear the piece.
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Tom Stent and Adrian Brown rehearsing with the New England Regional concert band. |
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School Ensembles
Farrer has a school concert band and jazz band. Both these groups have performed in the wider community at a range of events from primary schools through to air force dinners. Many of our band members have been selected to represent the school
at state level performing in the Opera House with the State Wind Ensemble and in the School’s Spectacular Orchestra. One of our class of 2007 students, Tom Stent, was asked this year to perform with a Wind Ensemble in their 2008 tour of America. A current Year 11 student, Nick Levy, was asked to tour Europe in 2008 with a regional wind orchestra.
What other people have said about our bands:
- “The Seniors Week Organising Committee would like to thank you and your students in the Jazz Band for performing at the Seniors Week opening concert at the Town Hall. This was a very successful day with a large crowd. The music was appreciated by all present.”
- “On behalf of the Committee of the Tamworth Jockey Club, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you and your boys for your wonderful musical entertainment at our race meeting on Melbourne Cup Day. The professionalism and talent displayed is an absolute credit to you and your school.”
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School Musicals
Over the years Farrer has staged a number of musicals ranging from Aladdin and his Magic Lamp through The Man Of Steel to The First Thirteen. These productions involve almost the whole school community and students from Years 7 through to 12. Audiences have loved every show – especially the ones where the boys dress up as girls! |
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