Middle School
Year 6
As boys enter Year 6, the playing of a concert band instrument is introduced as a central aspect of the music programme. All boys are given free group tuition and free hire of a school concert band instrument for the duration of Year 6. This enables boys to apply their expanding musical knowledge in a practical way in a fun and social environment. Boys are encouraged to continue playing the musical instruments they may have already been learning prior to Year 6, which will complement and assist the uptake of the new concert band instrument. Boys who learn an orchestral string instrument and regularly participate in a Scotch College String Orchestra may choose to be exempt from learning a concert band instrument during Year 6 or may trial a concert band instrument for one term. All boys are invited to continue playing their instrument into Year 7 and beyond.
Boys’ participation in the free, compulsory Concert Band programme in Year 6 is dependent upon them maintaining a positive and enthusiastic level of behaviour and attitude. The opportunity to play a concert band instrument should be valued, and boys who do not display this spirit of intent may have their access to the free Concert Band programme withdrawn at the conclusion of Autumn Term. This decision will only be made with consultation between the instrumental tutor, the classroom music teacher, the boy, and their parent(s).
To facilitate the practical nature of instrumental ensembles as a central feature of the Middle School Music programme, all Year 6 students will participate in Music every week in multi-class groups. Several music classroom teachers and instrumental specialists will provide a practical-based music programme as part of a team.
Year 7
From Year 7, boys have the opportunity to participate in one of two Music Classroom programmes on offer. Music Extension caters for those students who learn an instrument (including voice) regularly with an instrumental teacher. This is a natural progression of the Year 6 Music course and is delivered in a similar way. (The instrumental teacher can be a Scotch College instrumental teacher or an external/private teacher.) Boys who cease learning a musical instrument as they progress into Year 7 will be allocated to the music course known as Music (formally General Music). Both music courses are designed to develop musical skills in music performance, reading, writing, listening, creating and responding.
Year 8
In Years 8 and above, instrumental performance is a central aspect of the classroom music programme where classroom music teachers work closely with instrumental music teachers. However, boys who do not learn an instrument are still able to access classroom instruments so that all can participate in music classes in a practical way.
Boys who learn a musical instrument through regular lessons with an instrumental tutor are encouraged to select the Music Extension classroom programme. Boys who have an interest in music but do not learn an instrument from an instrumental teacher in the “traditional” way are encouraged to select the Music course (formally General Music).