FAQ

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Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, String Ensembles, Orchestras and Choirs are offered for appropriate levels and ages. An important part of ensemble contribution is performance. This includes concerts at Shalom College, the local Eisteddfod, and the Queensland Catholic Music Festival in Brisbane. Students are also supported should they wish to enter the Eisteddfod as a soloist or in small groups. The choir and vocal groups continually contribute to the college’s liturgies while the Jazz Band regularly perform for the student body and other gigs. There are music camps and music workshops organized by staff. External examinations are also available to all students.

Shalom College offers lessons in private and small group formats. Group lessons are provided for most students in age and level appropriate groups. Private lessons cater to piano and vocal students and to instrumental students requiring extension or remediation.

Yes!

Instrumental lessons can begin at any time during their schooling. Please contact us so that we can immediately provide your child with orientation of the facilities, a lesson timetable and an instrument. Let’s get started!

A music lesson is always on a designated day (Monday, Tuesday, etc…). However, the lesson times rotate systematically on the designated day to minimize the impact on academic classes. Please refer to the sample Music lesson timetable. [Documents ]

Lessons are 30 minutes long, which is less than half of an academic period (70 minutes).

A make-up lesson can be scheduled on specific days and times, depending on the music teacher and availability. It is the students’ responsibility to effectively communicate via email or in person with the appropriate instructor.

Yes & No.

Students who take group lessons are charged a flat rate per term. It is the students’ responsibility to schedule make-up lessons with the available teachers­­­. There is no reimbursement for missed lessons.

Students who take private lessons are charged per lesson (8 lessons in a 10-week term). It is still the students’ responsibility to schedule make-up lessons with the instructors. Missed lessons will be credited forward to the next term for school-sanctioned absences.

Yes.

It is the expectation of all ensemble directors that your child must be enrolled in music lessons either at the college or with a reputable local teacher. Choir is the exception as it is available to all students at the college.

Apart from the Choir which is an all-inclusive ensemble, students are placed in level and age appropriate ensembles.

All rehearsals are held in either the Music Classroom, Band Room or on the Theatre Stage. Please refer to the rehearsal schedule outlining the days and venue for each ensemble. Documents

All rehearsals take place before academic school hours, between 7:30 am – 8:30 am. It is the expectation of all ensemble directors that students arrive at 7:15 am so as to be ready and prepared to rehearse at 7:30 am.

Yes. Yes. Yes!

Apart from holidays, ensemble rehearsals are always on. Even when the school calendar is full with excursions, camps, appointments, performances, etc…, ensemble rehearsals are always on. Unless a specific effort has been made to inform you and your child otherwise by the ensemble directors, ensemble rehearsals are always on.

P. A. P. is the acronym for Performing Arts Precinct. This is the facility that houses the theatre, multiple classrooms, practice studios, the Band Room, teachings studios and instrument storage.

Yes.

Please be advised that this requires your child to attend more than one music lesson per week during academic time. The department only recommends this arrangement for students with a strong commitment to the program and exceptional organizational skills.

Yes.

Most instruments that are taught at the college can be hired for a fee per term. [Documents ]

Please consult your child’s instrumental music teacher so they can appropriately guide you towards your best option. More often than not, you can purchase a superior used instrument at a similar cost to a “new” sub-standard instrument.

All minor repairs can be made on site by one of the instrumental teachers at no cost. More substantial repairs need to be sent to a reputable repairer. Hired instruments are regularly serviced through the school whereas privately owned instruments are the students’ responsibility. Parents are encouraged to seek advice from their child's instrumental teacher about reputable repairers.

Encouraging your child to practise at home is where it starts. Having the patience to listen to them struggle is the hardest part, especially at the beginning! Attend their concerts and performances (staying to the end) and develop an open dialogue with the instrumental music teachers.

There is a store room located inside the PAP. Please put a name tag on your child’s instrument case and folder.

Practise. Consistent, focused and purposeful practise. But don’t worry, we’re not talking about 4 hours every day! Consistency is the key. Please consult the suggested practise table. [Documents ]

Yes.

The coordinated curriculum of the Shalom College instrumental music department supports individual students’ outstanding achievements. Band students can be awarded a prestigious Medal and Pin by successfully completing a series of performance tests on their respective instrument.

No.

There is no expectation for students to sit external formal exams. Some students greatly benefit from the examination experience because of the preparation process and performance procedure. In these cases, the music staff will fully support your child’s journey.

You should always contact the music teacher first if you have a question or concerns about your child's music lessons. Regular communication with your child's music teacher through email or phone is always encouraged.

By the end of Term I. This ensures that your child is dressed appropriately for the upcoming Eisteddfod. The performance uniform consists of a school vest (available at the Uniform Shop) & long-sleeved microfibre black shirt, black pants and black socks (available at your local retail stores)

Consumables such as reeds, cork grease, valve oil, A.M.E.B. Books, drum sticks, etc…can be purchased at your local music store. Specialty consumables are provided by the music department.

Please contact any one of our music teachers by either email or phone. You can refer to the “contact us” page for the contact email addresses of each teacher, or you can phone the front office between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm and they will put you through.

Please complete the Withdrawal from Instrumental Music Form and return any instruments or music owned by Shalom to the music department. As a courtesy please also email the relevant teacher to inform them of your child's departure from the program.