Kenmore State High School

Instrumental & Vocal Music Program

Information Booklet
Welcome to our program
Kenmore State High School offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in our highly successful
Instrumental Music and Vocal program.

This program offers opportunities for students to be involved in the following award-winning ensembles (both
auditioned and non-auditioned) for students in Years 7 to 12:

• Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble & Concert Band

• Big Band & Junior Jazz Band
• Percussion Ensembles 1 and 2
• Sinfonia Strings, Philharmonic Strings, Nascente Strings, Cello Ensemble
• Chorale, Lyric Voices, Vox Nova

Our program involves over 300 students and 8 Instrumental Music staff.
Why make music?
CHORAL MUSIC
Performance is only one facet of the experience of our choral ensembles at Kenmore SHS. Students sing a variety of musical
styles and genres, sing Kodaly-based pedagogical canons/rounds/games to improve inner audiation skills and part-singing ability
(essential for all choristers and musicians at any level). We also spend ample time each rehearsal in building voice technique:
range, breathing, body alignment, fine-muscle motor coordination, resonance, articulation – the list goes on!

- Mr Joshua Clifford
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Did you know that Neuroscientists have discovered that when a person plays a musical instrument the experience becomes like a
full-body brain workout?! It’s like fireworks going off in the brain! Playing an instrument has a positive affect on students’
academic learning and helps in many other aspects of life: reduces stress, produces patience and perseverance, cultivates
creativity, improves time-management skills, increases confidence and self-esteem. We have an exciting Instrumental Program
at Kenmore High with an ensemble to suit all levels of ability. Students enjoy the social interaction with friends and learn a
varied selection of exciting repertoire! Our ensembles play regularly in school concerts, community performances and
competitions. Through our Ensemble-based Instrumental Program our students develop their ability to be a ‘team player’, an
understanding of commitment, discipline and a sense of belonging.

- Ms Heather Conomos
Instrumental & Vocal Music Staff
Edward Kennedy Heather Conomos Alice O’Donnell Alice
SueEmor-Kan
Berti Matthew Hoey

Brass Teacher Woodwind Teacher Violin/Viola Teacher Percussion Teacher Cello/Double Bass Teacher
Symphonic Band Wind Ensemble Nascente Strings Percussion Ensemble 1 Philharmonic Strings
Big Band Concert Band Sinfonia Strings Percussion Ensemble 2
Junior Jazz Band

ekenn19@eq.edu.au hcono1@eq.edu.au aodon39@eq.edu.au aemor0@eq.edu.au mhoey1@eq.edu.au

Imogen Bye Joshua Clifford Nicolas Gibson

Vocal Tutor (*user pays) Vocal Tutor (*user pays) Guitar Tutor (*user pays)
*limited places due to limited *limited places due to limited *limited places due to limited
teaching space teaching space teaching space

Lyric Voices Chorale

Vox Nova

ibye1@eq.edu.au jclif131@eq.edu.au jaydmusicschool@gmail.com

Additional Key Staff
Hailey Gibson Kathleen Gallagher

Classroom Music Teacher Classroom Music Teacher

Instrumental Music Coordinator

Technical Team Coordinator

hgibs19@eq.edu.au kxgal0@eq.edu.au

Jo Willett

Head of Department (The Arts)

jwill1286@eq.edu.au
Commitment and Communication
• With such a large program, effective communication is paramount to the success of each ensemble.
• Please diarise performance/rehearsal/workshop dates as soon as you receive them.
• Identify possible clashes with sport or weekend activities and talk to your student about planning ahead.
• Students enrolled in an ensemble are expected to regularly attend rehearsals & lessons. Conductors keep attendance rolls and
may request an explanation for any absences.
• Talk to your child about the consequences of letting the team down.
• Talk to your child about responsibilities to a team.
• Contact the conductor as soon as possible if there is a clash that cannot be overcome and they will be missing for a performance.
• Notify the conductor in writing about absences.
• Permission slips will be sent home two weeks before.
• Non-attendance at lessons letters & ensembles will be sent via Optimo (or via email).

IMPORTANT
• Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date and correct via OneSchool. Contact the Administration Office to update your
details – Optimo inputs your contact information from OneSchool directly.
Optimo Systems https://www.optimosystems.com.au/

The Kenmore SHS Instrumental & Vocal Music Program is continually growing, and with this growth comes the in-depth
management of various components such as instrument hire & loan agreements, uniform hire, lesson & ensemble attendance,
timetabling, forms, permissions, library catalogues, excursions, as well as student & parent contact information.

We use a professional software music management program called Optimo Systems. This software ensures that all our
information is kept in the one central location and managed through Optimo. It is our central form of communication between
students, parents & the music faculty. Optimo allows the department to better manage attendance data, ensemble placements,
timetables, instrument loans, library and equipment information. For this to happen, we require your consent.

Optimo is an Australian owned and operated company with all data securely stored on-shore in Sydney. This company is part of
the Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) initiative and has approval within the Department of Education.

In order to give consent, firstly register with QParents. The Optimo online consent form will be sent to your account for approval.
Music Support Group (MSG)
Our program could not be possible without the Music Support Group (MSG). This is an active group of
parent volunteers who fundraise and support our vibrant music program.

They need your help! Please consider volunteering and join the Music Support Group.

kshs.msg@gmail.com

Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month during the school term.
Come along to our first meeting on Monday 5th February, 6pm at Kenmore State High School – Q block
(QF20).
Facebook Page
• Join the Kenmore SHS Instrumental and Choral Music Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/KSHSMusicProgram/

• All Kenmore music parents and students can request to join this page.
- This is a closed & private group - you will need to complete a few
questions to verify your request to join e.g. (student name,
ensemble & conductor).

• This page is used as a way to connect with the student & parent
community to celebrate student performances as well as
communicate important information regarding upcoming events,
performances or any relevant information to the program.
Ensemble Overview
Band Program String Program Percussion Program Vocal Program
Concert Band Nascente Strings Either Concert Band, Wind Vox Nova
- Mostly years 7-9 - Year 7 entry level ensemble Ensemble, Symphonic Band - Year 7 treble voices only
(All Year 7 MEX students are
automatically enrolled in this choir as
and/or part of the MEX program)

Wind Ensemble Philharmonic Strings Lyric Voices

- Mostly years 9-11 - Mostly years 8-10 Percussion Ensemble 1 & 2 or - Auditioned treble voice choir for years
Year 7 Percussion Ensemble 8 and above)

Symphonic Band Sinfonia Strings Chorale

- Most outstanding players - Most outstanding string players *percussionists are also potentially in Big - Auditioned mixed voices choir (SATB)
Band or Junior Jazz Band (by audition)
Junior Jazz Band
- Junior jazz players *positions playing percussion in the band
program are vacancy driven
Big Band
- Senior jazz players
What is Involved?
COST
• The annual fee for the program is $220 per student.
• Percussion students are required to pay an additional equipment fee of $50.
• This fee covers the cost of music, folders, music uniform (waistcoat and bowtie), competition entry fees,
some meals, bus hire, purchase and maintenance of instruments, instructors’ costs, accompanist’s costs
and administration fees.
• Students can hire the following instruments, if they are available, for $300 per year: tuba, euphonium,
bass trombone, French horn, baritone and tenor saxophone, bassoon, bass clarinet and double bass.
• All students enrolled in the program will attend weekly ensemble rehearsals before or after school.
• Education Queensland provides all instrumental music students (brass, woodwind, strings or percussion) a
weekly group lesson with a specialist Instrumental Music Teacher.
• There is an additional cost to students wanting to take up private vocal & guitar lessons (user pays).
• Spaces are limited due to limited teaching space.
Music Uniform
All students will need to purchase black trousers, black socks, and black dress shoes.

Junior Ensembles Senior Ensembles

In addition, students will In addition, students will
need to purchase the black need to purchase a white
Music polo shirt from the button-up, long sleeved
KSHS uniform shop collared business shirt.

A waistcoat & bowtie will be

supplied (see Mrs Baxendale in the
Performing Arts staffroom).
Getting Started
Prior to the start of the school year in 2024, all Instrumental & Vocal Music
teachers will have communicated lesson timetables to their students. If you
have not received an email from your teacher, please contact them directly to
enquire.

All lessons and ensembles begin Monday 29th January (week 2, term 1).
Except percussion – which will begin in Week 3 (Friday 9th February)

If you are taking on private vocal or guitar lessons, you will need to return the
lesson agreement form to the Performing Arts Staffroom (see Mrs Baxendale).

IMPORTANT
All students must return a completed Instrumental and Vocal Music
Participation Agreement Form and Fees by Friday 16th February 2024.
Year 7 Music Extension (MEX) students will have already received an invoice.
Helpful Hints
Students will need to remember when they have an instrumental or vocal
music lesson – they won’t be reminded by their classroom teacher.
- This is especially difficult because at primary school they are often
‘collected’ or ‘reminded’.

To avoid students missing the same curriculum class each week, their
instrumental or vocal lesson timetable rotates so each week the lesson is in
a different period (e.g. 1A, 2B etc.).
- All lesson timetables will be published on the music noticeboards inside
Q Block and S Block.
- Students and parents will be emailed a copy of their lesson timetable.

If in doubt – ask!
Ask your Instrumental Music Teacher or come to the Performing Arts
Staffroom and speak with Ms Gibson or Mrs Baxendale. Sample lesson timetable
What day of the week are lessons?
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
BRASS
BRASS STRINGS
Mr Kennedy
Mr Kennedy (all day) Ms O’Donnell (all day) WOODWIND
LOWER STRINGS (all day)
Ms Conomos
Mr Hoey (all day)
WOODWIND WOODWIND UPPER STRINGS (until 11:30am)
Ms Conomos (all day) Ms Conomos (all day) Ms O’Donnell (all day)

UPPER STRINGS
VOCAL
Mrs O’Donnell
Mr Clifford (all day) WOODWIND GUITAR
(9am – 12pm) PERCUSSION
Ms Conomos (all day) Mr Gibson (all day)
Ms Emor-Kan (all day)
VOCAL GUITAR
Ms Bye (all day) Mr Gibson (all day)

VOCAL
Mr Clifford (9am – 1pm)
Detailed lesson timetables are displayed on the noticeboards in both Q block & S block
What day of the week is my ensemble?
How are students placed in ensembles?
• Incoming year 7 students who are successful Music Extension (MEX) applicants are automatically placed in an
ensemble based on their audition.

• If required, students may audition at the start of the new year for a particular ensemble – at the discretion of
the Instrumental Music Teacher.

• There may be occasional movement within ensembles as student numbers are finalised in the first few weeks
of school.

• For brass, woodwind & percussion players, the large majority of Year 7 students will be placed in Concert Band.
However, some may be moved into other ensembles at the discretion of their Instrumental teacher if they
deem the student to be at a higher level of ability.

• Ensemble auditions are held in November (for the following calendar year).

• Places within ensembles are based on vacancy. For example, 6 tuba players are not required in one ensemble.
Caring for your instrument
• It is the responsibility of all students to look after their own instrument.

• Ensure your instrument and black music folder has your name clearly labelled.

• Each student has access to a storage space (Q block for brass & woodwind, S
block for strings) to safely leave their instrument during the day (on the days
they have either an instrumental music lesson or ensemble rehearsal).

• Students need to take their instruments home (to practice!) when they are not
required at school for a rehearsal.
• Drop off & collect your instrument at the start and end of the day.

• Notify your Instrumental Music Teacher immediately if your instrument breaks

or needs repair.
Instrument Hire
• $300 per year to hire a school instrument.

• If a director of an ensemble requests a change of instrument – it will cost

$150.

• Please notify your instrumental music teacher as soon as possible if you

need to hire an instrument.

• There are no guarantees – we will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Resolving difficulties or asking questions
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3
• Contact the conductor of your • Contact the Instrumental Music • If the difficulty remains
ensemble/lesson to discuss Coordinator (Hailey Gibson) to unresolved, contact the Arts
your query (via phone or discuss your concerns. Head of Department (Jo Willett)
email). Feel free to CC the
Instrumental Music jwill1286@eq.edu.au
hgibs19@eq.edu.au
Coordinator in this
communication.
• Approach the teacher asap
when the difficulty arises,
don’t wait months to make
contact.
• Most problems/difficulties are
resolved at this point.
What to do in the event of the conductor being unexpectedly absent
On the very rare occasion that a conductor is unexpectedly absent and is not able to relay a message to parents or
students, please ensure that your child is aware of the following procedure that should be followed. This
procedure is particularly necessary for safety reasons when a student has arrived early in the morning for a
rehearsal.

1. Student should attempt to attend or ‘sit in’ on another rehearsal taking place in Q Block or S Block.

2. Student may go and sit in the Administration office which is open from 6.45am.

3. Student may go to the Performing Arts staffroom in lower G block (or any other staffroom) and if a teacher is
present the student may safely wait there.

4. Students should, where possible, remain with other students from their group.
Upcoming 2024 events
• Faculty concerts (strings, choirs, bands & percussion)
• Instrumental Fanfare
• Lunchtime concerts
• Assembly performances
• Anzac Day
• School Open Day
• Instrumental Fanfare competition
• Jazzin’ Up the Mall
• Cabaret
• Vocal concert – singing students
• Guitar recital – guitar students
• Various competitions
• Premiere Awards Night
• Kenmore Seniors Concert
• Remembrance Day
• Community Christmas performances
• Year 7 Orientation Day
• Music Gala Night
What Now?

Hand back participation Make sure you have Practice, practice, Join the Music Contact us if you
agreement form the correct uniform practice for first Support Group (MSG) have any questions!
(due Friday 16th for your ensemble. concert. Meetings are held on
February) FULL UNIFORM the 2nd Monday of
required. the month.

Register with Q Parents

Once registered, the
Optimo online consent
form will be pushed to
your account.