The Newport Instrumental Music Program

The strains of string and wind music may be heard at Newport School most weekday mornings. This music emanates from one or more of our seven ensembles who rehearse throughout the school.

The Newport School Instrumental Music Program currently has three string and three wind ensembles. The most experienced students from each strand come together to form a Combined Orchestra at times throughout the year. It is believed that Newport Public School has the only Primary School Orchestra in NSW.

The ensembles are as follows:

Registration form for 2010

The musicians perform throughout the year, both at school and in public.   The ensembles have entertained at Grandparents Day, Kindergarten Information Days and Education Week in 2009.

Performance Band, Concert Band and the String Orchestra participate at competitions and eisteddfods throughout the year at venues such as the Willoughby Town Hall, The University of New South Wales, University of Technology, Sydney and the Opera House.

Other out of school opportunities exist for talented Newport School musicians.   The State Band Camp, State Schools String Sinfonia and the new Northern Beaches Youth Orchestra are examples of these opportunities.

All of the Newport School ensembles perform at the annual Band Camp (May) and at the end of year Twilight Concert (December).

The Music Program began at Newport School in 1991 under the inspirational leadership of Music Directors Martin Hardy and John Stone.

The Program has approximately 200 students playing instruments as diverse as the tuba, bass clarinet, ¼ size violin, cello and percussion.

Violin students may begin their music training in Year 1, while children drawn to wind instruments must contain themselves until Year 3.

The aim of the Program is to provide a professional and enjoyable musical experience for the children whilst developing not only their instrumental music skills but all the other associated learning skills such as discipline, leadership, concentration, confidence, self-esteem, commitment and teamwork.

The children have been known to have fun too!

All children playing wind instruments and third year violin students have out of school tutors. Many of these children prepare for and are examined by the AMEB. Successful students attain a music grade each year. This is not, however, a requirement of the Music Program.

Fees levied to parents are the primary source of income to support conductor wages, instrument purchases/servicing, bus hire and music camp. An annual contribution from the P&C, coupled with fund-raising by the Music Committee ensure a solid financial foundation to support the Program.

The Music Committee is formed by parent volunteers of children in the Music Program. The function of the committee is to support the Musical Director, John Stone, and the Program. Volunteers need have no musical background; willing hands are often all that is needed! Jobs for volunteers include: taking the roll, photocopying music, emailing parents, setting up music stands and moving instruments and equipment to venues. Currently the band has a president and a treasurer but as children move through and leave the school, these positions become available.

The Committee retain the services of professional conductors: John Stone, Karen Leimbach, Andrew Laurich, Anne Holdik and Kim Grosser to provide expert tutelage to all ensembles.

The school liaison office bearers are Evelyn Adams and Donna Dias. These teachers work hard behind the scenes to support the Program. The school's principal, Margaret Charlton is a strong supporter of the Music Program and makes time in her busy schedule to attend the Band Camp Concert and the Twilight Concert every year.

A comprehensive guide to the Music Program(Band Book) and Registration forms may be obtained at the school office. Additional information about the Program may be gained from Andrew Elliott, the current President at anrselliott@optusnet.com.au .

Of course, any interested parent or student is welcome to sit in on any (or all) of the eleven rehearsals that take place around Newport School every week!   You may be surprised at how amazing school children can sound!!!