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There are two pathways open to Year 7 students who choose to join the Instrumental Music Program: the Band program or the Strings program.
There are two pathways open to Year 7 students who choose to join the Instrumental Music Program: the Band program or the Strings program.
Please note that we do not teach guitar or piano at McKinnon.
Students who learn any of the following at school are normally allocated to a band form and become members of the Year 7 Band:
Students who learn any of the following at school are normally allocated to a band form and become members of the Year 7 Band:
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Oboe
Bassoon
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion
Students who learn any of the following at school are normally allocated to a string form and become members of the Year 7 Strings:
Students who learn any of the following at school are normally allocated to a string form and become members of the Year 7 Strings:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
When nominating instrument preferences, please bear in mind that the choice of instrument is tied in with which form group each student is allocated to. Therefore choosing 2nd and 3rd preferences from the same ensemble will work better than nominating a mixture of the two.
N.B. Voice lessons start from Year 8 (see below)
We realise that choosing an instrument is easier once the student has had a chance to see and hear all the instruments on offer, and to try out those for which they express a preference. We have a range of strategies and tools to help guide students to a suitable instrument choice, including the Bentley Musical Aptitude Survey, the Timbre Preference Survey, and instrument tryout sessions. These will be undertaken as appropriate in the first few weeks of the school year. Therefore, the choice of instrument made at this stage is not final.
Ideally, the final choice should be made between student, teacher and parent.
Ideally, the final choice should be made between student, teacher and parent.
In the meantime, it's a good idea for students to discuss the possibilities with their parents
before nominating their initial preferences.
Where these pathways lead
Where these pathways lead
Students can continue learning any of these instruments through to Year 12, and will progress through to higher level core ensembles.
Those who wish can extend their musical experience by joining additional optional ensembles.
Instrumental students also have the opportunity to play a vital part in whole-school activities such as House Music Festival and School Productions.
Students who continue may elect to enrol in any of three music subjects for VCE - Music Performance (Solo or Group), Music Investigations, and/or Music Composition and Styles. They may, however, simply continue with their instrumental lessons and to play in school ensembles without formalising it as a VCE subject.
Vocal tuition is not available to Year 7 students. Those who wish to particpate in singing are encouraged to join the McKinnon Choir, which rehearses at lunchtimes. Students from this ensemble will receive preference to begin vocal lessons from Year 8 onwards, or when vacancies occur in the program.
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