Music  >  Performance  >  Ways of performing

Solo Performance - All Schools

Students will, on the advice of their teacher, present for solo performances and examinations.  Some performance opportunities are informal, others formal. Students are invited to play at School assemblies, Chapel periods, House Services, Open Day and at various School functions.  The more formal opportunities are monthly recitals that are listed in the calendar as well as some Masterclasses.

Solo Examinations - All Schools

The Music School will conduct internal music performance examinations in late October and November each year for Middle and Senior School students.  The Music School determines and individualises the performance program.  Teachers may encourage students to enrol in external music examinations, for example:

• Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)
• Australian and New Zealand Cultural Arts (ANZCA) and
• Trinity College, London.

Where these are scheduled in Term 4, students will be exempt from the internal assessment.  Teachers may also encourage students to enter eisteddfods and other music competitions throughout the year.

Each external examination has entry fees and accompanist fees that are in addition to fees for lessons.  Information is available from the Music Office.

Note: The closing date for external AMEB examinations in April is in the first week in February, May for sessions in August, June for sessions in October.

Accompanists - All Schools
Students should engage their accompanist through the Music Office and ensure that adequate practice with the accompanist is scheduled well prior to the performance.  The Carey Schedule of Fees for accompanists is available from the Music Office.

Large Ensembles - Solo Performance - All Schools
Students will be required to participate in large group performances, as well as chamber and solo performances throughout the year, for example at Speech Night, the Carey Concert, Choral Evening, School musical, state-wide music festivals, music competitions, eisteddfods, concerts for young children and elderly citizens and School concerts for the public.  Some of these dates are published in the School calendar, others will be notified in special bulletins or memos.

Chamber Music - Solo Performance - All Schools
Chamber music - performing in a small, one-person-per-part classical music ensemble - is a privilege offered to selected students in all sections of Carey. 

Students meet with a specialist teacher once per week for chamber music rehearsal.  They are expected to learn and perform music for School functions and concerts.  Continuance in their group is contingent on punctual attendance, careful preparation and willingness to perform.

Performing in such a group is a year-long commitment, subject to evaluation by the group's teacher.  Students may apply for inclusion in the chamber music program, or may be invited to do so.  Selection remains the jurisdiction of the School.

The following criteria are required:

• Students in Senior and Middle Schools, minimum of 6th Grade AMEB or equivalent performance standard, though some works may only require a lower standard on certain instruments
• Students in Donvale and Kew Junior Schools, selection by invitation only
• Any student involved in chamber music must rehearse and perform with regular ensembles at the School.  Chamber music is seen as a privilege of extension, not a substitution.

Those wishing to participate in the Chamber Music Program at Carey should contact the Director of Music.

Contemporary groups - Middle and Senior Schools
The Music School is offering a program for rock and jazz groups.  Some groups will meet weekly for rehearsal. 

A specialist in contemporary popular styles will work on a regular basis with students as a group to develop skills in working together, song writing, doing covers.  These group lessons will need to be supplemented by individual instrumental lessons, which are subject to a special group tuition fee.  Performances for Rock and Jazz Groups include Battle of the Bands, performances at Chapel and other School concerts.

Music Performance, Scouts and IB - Middle and Senior Schools
Participation in music performance can be recognised as part of awards in Scouts, as a part of community or social service or as a cultural activity.  In the International Baccalaureate Diploma, students can participate in music as part of their Community, Action and Service subject.

Solo Performance - Senior School
Students are invited to perform solo at recitals, School concerts, assemblies and other special School occasions.  Advanced Year 12 solo students are invited to express interest in performing at the Carey Concert, at Speech Night and other occasions.  

There is a recital series of eight concerts held in the William Carey Chapel, a Singers Soiree, Cabaret Night and Speech Recital held once a year.  Other performance opportunities include performance at Christmas and Easter Services, parent nights and gatherings, art shows and elderly citizens' homes.

Year 7 Music Ensembles - Middle School
All Year 7 instrumental students will belong to one of the following:

• Year 7 Experienced Band class
• Year 7 Training Band class         
• Year 7 Experienced Strings class
• Year 7 Training Strings class
• Year 7 Vocal class
• Year 7 Experienced Guitar Ensemble class
• Year 7 Training Guitar Ensemble class
• Year 7 Keyboard Ensemble class
• Year 7 Percussion class. 

These group classes occur concurrently in each session.  Students will be timetabled for one session each week.

Note: Information about selecting a Year 7 Music Class Ensemble will be available in July the year prior to starting, with selections due in September.

Year 7 instrumentalists can also join advanced groups for enrichment but their main group will be among those listed above.

Year 7 instrumentalists and vocalist (other than members of training classes) may elect individual/shared/group lessons in the normal Music Tuition program.

Music Rehearsal Camps, Workshops and  Extended Rehearsals - Middle School and Senior School
In order to prepare the groups for particular events, most will have additional concentrated rehearsals to complement the regular weekly rehearsals at school. Some groups will go away for a weekend at residential camps at venues a modest distance from Melbourne.

Others will have extended, or part-day rehearsals on weekends.  The School calendar and regular special bulletins and memos will provide families with dates to enable forward planning.  To assist in making arrangements such as providing meals and guest clinicians, a small fee may be levied.

Auditioned Groups - All Schools
Some groups have entry by audition only.  Most are open entry.  Both expect students to make a full commitment to the year's program once they have joined.

For further information please contact Mr Martin Arnold, Acting Director of Music P: +61 3 9816 1261   F: +61 3 9817 6754,   E: music@carey.com.au