Music plays and integral part in the High School education offered at IGS, and Music is a compulsory subject in Years 7 and 8 where students have two periods of Music a week.
Music in High School
As an experiential learning focus, students come to understand this symbolic language through singing, playing, listening and moving. The curriculum is designed around Orff-Schulwerk, Dalcroze and Kodály Music Education methodologies, providing future focussed experiences for our students to learn about diverse musical traditions and styles.
Building on this framework, Music is offered as an elective in Years 9 to 12. Our HSC students consistently achieve outstanding results, including nominations for Encore, a showcase of some of the highest achieving music students in the State, and many students go on the study Music at a Tertiary level.
Private vocal and instrumental studies are also offered at IGS, and students are welcome to begin learning at any time. As an extension to their learning, and in developing ensemble skills, all students learning instruments and voice with private tutors are expected to join an IGS music ensemble. These ensembles include a Symphony Orchestra, String Ensembles, Concert Bands, Rock and Jazz Bands, Chamber Groups and Choirs.
Ensemble rehearsals take place before school, at lunchtime or after school once a week for each ensemble with music teachers and tutors. Smaller ensembles and Chamber Groups are extension activities and entry to these ensembles may be by invitation or audition. Your music tutor will recommend when your child is ready to join an ensemble, and advanced High School students are invited to audition to join the Chamber Ensembles.
All ensembles perform regularly at evening concerts, assemblies, school functions, and community festivals at various times throughout the year.
Private vocal and instrumental studies are also offered at IGS. Students who undertake private tuition are encouraged to participate in the School’s various music ensembles including a symphony orchestra, string orchestras, concert bands, rock and jazz bands, chamber groups and choirs. All ensembles perform regularly at evening concerts, assemblies, school functions and community festivals.
Students also attend incursions and excursions run by professional musicians and ensembles, participate in Heads of Independent Co-educational Schools (HICES) music festivals and have the chance to perform on a biennial overseas music tour.