2024 Term 4 Newsletter

Sunday, December 1, 2024 by Joanne Trewick | Newsletter

Welcome to our last newsletter for the year. What an amazing year we have had with so many achievements to celebrate and progress to be proud of. 

There is still a lot of important things for you to know, so thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter carefully. I appreciate this very much.

It never ceases to amaze me just how many awards there are when I list them out for newsletter, check out this super fabulous list fat the end of the newsletter for your child’s name. 

I hope the Christmas and New Break is a special time for your family.

Warmly,

Ms Joanne 

* WHAT THE END OF 2024 LOOKS LIKE

~ Our studio runs to state school terms and so we have lessons through to the end of week 11. Week 11 is our games week, and no one ever wants to miss that! If your child’s regular lesson time is hard to get to because your family has extra commitments then shoot me an email as there may be another class they can join for games week. Lots of organisation goes into the activities for this week, but without fail I am amazed at the new learning and consolidation of learning but in a different way that occurs. Games days have proven to be some of our most effective learning times - so its not just the kids that love them, but a very satisfying way for me to finish out the term as well ;)

~I am available in week 12 for individual lessons for anyone that would like to book and also for those finishing up school early, many have already booked extra lessons in week 11. There are still a handful of times available if you would like to do this; whether it is to complete an exam, learn a special Christmas song, or just sit in on your child’s lesson to see what they are learning. 

~If your child is at Saints Augustine’s their games lesson is for the lesson invoiced during week 10. Juniors already had this lesson on Friday (we had to move it out of week 10 to get around other school activities) and Seniors are getting it this coming week - either way, it is the lesson that appears on your December invoice. 

~The studio will be closed from Dec 20 until Jan 6. Enquiries about individual lessons in January, or other 2025 matters, are welcome after that date. It is my hope that all 2025 class details and enrolments will be finalised prior to Dec 20 though. 

* 2025 SCHEDULE

I had hoped to have the timetable of classes for the new year to everyone by now, but that has not yet been possible. Please look out for an email detailing options for your child in the next couple of weeks.

We know that demand for our most wonderful piano classes is at an all time high, but I am still taking expressions of interest for classes in other instruments (eg. bass/ guitar/drums/strings/woodwind/brass etc) vocal classes or ensemble groups.

If you are a Saint Augustine’s student - it is planned for your lessons to resume in week 2 of the new term at school. 

*KINDER BEAT

We have had some truly wonderful early childhood music classes this year in the fabulous space that is our music room at Saints school. Kinder Beat classes will again be available during 2025, book your spot now for children from 2 years up until school age. This very well designed prepatory music program has endless musical benefits but also engages learning in many other ways, such a boost to the wholistic development of our littlest people. 

Miss Rebekah has been getting rave reviews from the youngest students she has worked with this year. 

*FEES

Firstly, to those who consistently keep their account in order - a very big thank you to you! 

A little note about invoices in December and the Term 4 Resource Fee, as this is often the time of year I get the most enquiries about this.

Listing what the Resource Fee goes towards would take ages, but here is a small snapshot.

-Purchase of music books, media files, instruments, teaching resources etc.    utilised in the music classroom.

• Professional development courses and travel
• Subscriptions to many teaching and student platforms that form an integral part of our learning program. (Piano teaching Success/ Soundwise/ Supersonics etc.)
• Studio digital licensing costs  

It would be easier for me if I just charged the resource fee at the start of every term, but instead, I look for the month with the least number of lessons in it, and apply the resource fee at that time - to spread costs for parents as much as possible. In term 4 that was the December invoice.

Our fees are set to cover the cost of providing a wonderful musical education to your child over the course of the whole year. Even though fees are charged by the lesson, in all reality, the lesson is such a small part of what is being paid for. So invoices for lessons right up to the end of term do have to go out in December, regardless of whether your child is attending still or not. December and January are my hardest working months of the whole year as I get prepared to make the year ahead as amazing as possible. Please finalise your 2024 account well before Dec 20 - it is very unpleasant for me (and for you!) If I have to chase overdue accounts over the Christmas break.

I am considering charging by the term rather than by the month in 2025, to reduce book keeping time. If this is going to come into affect you will receive notification by email. Scholarships continue to be available on a case by case basis, if your family is unable to afford to continue with music. Please advise if you would like information on how this works sent to you. 

*PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Just before this term started I travelled to Melbourne for one of the best professional development conferences I have ever attended in my 40 years of studying music and music education. The Kodaly Australia Teachers Convention was a full on 5 days and 4 evenings of inspiring and incredible learning, absorbing and participating. I look forward to using so many ideas that I gained at this conference in our 2025 lesson plans. 

• RECITAL

This year our Annual Recital and Awards Night was held in term 3 - it was definitely the highlight of our year. The difference in skill level for our students after preparing for that is enormous and in term 4 now I have witnessed so many benefits, inspiration and progress. I am already eagerly planning our 2025 Recital, you will have a date to save in the first newsletter next year. 

I also plan to have all of the Term Showcase Concert dates to you in that newsletter too - so that families can plan travel and other events around these dates so that your child does not miss any of these opportunities. 

• INSTRUMENTAL EXAMS

We continue to have absolutely outstanding success with entering our students for internationally recognised exams. A whopping 87% of our students who have completed exams in 2024 so far have received a distinction or high distinction result, with not a single one receiving lower than a credit marking! That is very impressive numbers and I am very proud of all exam candidates. We still have 34 students who will complete their exams this month….so those numbers may creep even higher yet….watch this space :)

• DEC 8 COMMUNITY CAROL EVENT

Our vocal students are preparing to be a part of this event and some of our instrumental students will participating with their school ensemble as well. Please come along to this event and support our students.

• QMTA EVENT

A very big thank you to Khobi Arthurson and Ava Axon fro representing our studio so admirably at this event on Nov 10 at Saint Monica’s Cathedral. 

• THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE

A wonderful celebration lunch and party was held for students and their families who have been with our studio for more than 5 years. Unfortunately due to my mothers illness I couldn’t attend at the last minute, but the event went ahead and I appreciated the messages of support and love and thoughtful group gift. 

On that note, I had already received a very generous gift of thanks from a big group of parents at our Term 4 Student Showcase - again - very, very much appreciated. And now I believe there is a music parents group that has been formed, so that music parents can share resources and help each other out in a variety of ways. If you are not yet part of this group and would like your contact details sent to the organiser - then please let me know.

I would also like to mention that my Christmas tree is sporting so many treasured decorations that have been gifted to me by students over many years now, it might be time to invest in second tree for my home! Please know that if that has been you, your gift continues to be enjoyed year after year.

*AGED CARE VISIT

It has been an absolute privilege to take teams of students from Saint Augustine’s to visit the residents at Kubirri Aged Care Home a number of times this year. Over the month of December, our vocal, flute and string students will have more opportunities to visit aged care facilities in our shire to share their music. This is part of what we do as a studio, and something that is very important to me. Thank you to those who always get involved. 

• JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Our studio continues to grow from strength to strength, and there is lots more that we would like to offer our students in the year ahead; which means that we have some part time work available for 2025. If you have either or both of the following skill sets and would like to enquire, I would love to hear from you.

    -Film making/video and music editing/ photography/ social media and website/ graphic design         or 5 star skills in canva ;)

    -Business management/office management - must have outstanding understanding and efficiency in Mac operating systems, digital filing and Xero software. 

• AWARDS SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER

Menno Hinde - 10 pc piano certificate

Oscar Hack - 50pc piano trophy

Phoebe Berwick - 10pc piano certificate

Dannielle Lake - 40pc drum certificate,50pc drum trophy and Rockschool Drum Award

Poppy Albury - 30pc guitar medal

Stevee Lake - 20pc violin certificate

Madeline Morgan - 20pc piano certificate

Tyler Morley - 20pc piano certificate

Caiden Nicholson - 10pc piano certificate

Cody Hilton - 30pc guitar medal

Archer Scomazzon - 20pc guitar certificate and 30pc guitar medal

Etenia Chayenne Simon - 20pc piano certificate

Parker Fapani - Preliminary grade piano 20 pieces 

Gabriella Ewan-Smith 10pc piano certificate

Ema Parker - 50pc piano trophy

Carys Rigby - 50pc piano trophy

Brooklyn Macrae - 60pc piano certificate

Mila Edwards - 10pc piano certificate

Mahli Goetze - 20pc piano certificate

Aiden Jenkin - 30pc guitar medal

Olive-Litsa Kavanagh - 50pc piano trophy

Moses Kavanagh  - 50pc piano trophy

Tiago Wilson - 100pc piano trophy

Nate Hancock - Grade 5 Piano 10 pieces

Hayley Sims - 10pc drum certificate

Quinn Kelleher - 60pc piano certificate

Elise Morris - 20pc piano certificate

Lana Soltwedel - 20pc piano certificate

Callum Moffat - 60pc piano certificate

Ryder Melchert - 80pc piano certificate

Indie Scomazzon - Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM and 50pc piano trophy

Peggy Mulcahy - High Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE VOCAL EXAM

Frankie Hughes - Credit GRADE 2 PIANO and 50pc drum trophy

Alyssa Arthurson - Grade 1 piano 30 pieces

Estella Spence - Grade 1 drums 10 pieces

Kit Walker - 10pc piano certificate

Khobi Arthurson - Grade 5 piano 20 pieces

Emma Coiutti - 100 pc piano trophy

Kieantae Salam - 10pc flute certificate

Haku Emmerson - 40pc piano certificate

Zeno Cancrini - 60 pc piano certificate

Jordi Keune - 60pc piano certificate

Amalia Blain - 10pc piano certificate

Eleanore Hinde - 100pc piano trophy

Ava Dwyer - 100pc piano trophy

Erik Pese - 200pc piano trophy

Jimmy Scott - 50pc piano trophy

Nova Hilton - Grade 2 piano 10 pieces

Cora Mountford - 30pc piano medal

Saxon Keech - 50pc drum trophy

Sadie Melchert - 10pc and 20pc piano certificate

Finn Gray - Distinction GRADE 2 PIANO EXAM

Bailee Weier - Preliminary Grade piano 10 pieces

Otillie Wells - 50pc piano trophy

   

2024 Term 1 Newsletter

Monday, February 19, 2024 by Joanne Trewick | Newsletter

Hello wonderful music families - new and established :)

Thank you for joining me on this journey of music education for your family in 2024. We have already accomplished much in our lessons so far this term, with much more fabulous learning ahead of us.

There is always so much information to put down in every newsletter, I know how busy parents are - so a big thank you for taking the time to read and make note of anything that pertains to your family. If per chance this email goes astray all past newsletters are easy to view within the student portal - check back anytime!

CONCERTS FOR THIS YEAR

As most of you would be aware, every term, we have a showcase for our students and what they are working on, usually held at the Mossman Shire hall, which has a beautiful grand piano and plenty of space for us all. We always encourage students of all stages to get up and have a go, and gaining experience in sharing our music with each other, plus being inspired by other students, is a vital part of the learning program.

Sadly, this year though, we are not able to offer a Student Showcase in term 1, due to the unavailability of venues. That means the term 2 one - will be SUPER important - so get this date into your diary now!! 

TERM 2 STUDENT SHOWCASE Sunday June 2

3pm@ Mossman Shire hall. Gold coin entry at the door to offset hall hire costs. 

This event will need to be registered for, in the student portal, registrations will open on May 1st and close on May 24th. 

RECITAL: The only non-negotiable event for all of our music students each year is our Annual Recital and Awards Event. Normally held in term 4 but this year we are trialling holding this major event in term 3. 

No registration is required for this one as it is assumed that all families will participate, levies are applied to family accounts during term 2. More info to come, but SAVE THE DATE NOW………

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th. Clear the whole day as we have numerous parts to the program and students need to be available for rehearsals and performances during the day, then the big evening event begins at 5pm. If you haven’t participated in a recital before, feel free to ask any questions you need, but also - rest assured that all the information you need will be forthcoming in newsletters as the year progresses. 

Also on the subject of keeping dates free for later in the year - our Celebration Lunch for families who have been with us for five years or more will be held on Nov 24 - if this is your family - highlight this date in you diary as well and await your invite at the start of term 4. 

EISTEDDFOD 2024

If your child might be interested in competing in this event in Cairns in late June, please be in touch.

PRACTICE DIARIES
Individual practice diaries for recording home tasks and tracking what is practiced at home each day have been a mainstay in our studio for as many years as I can remember. However, I am finding increasing numbers of families prefer to record their practice in the student portal and to rely on the lesson note emails for instructions on what to work on at home. In some classes, the practice diaries are being phased out. If per chance your child has not received a diary but you would like them to work with this rather than the online option - please say so and one will be provided. If your child’s class is still using diaries, please ensure that they come to every lesson and don’t get left at home.

AUTOMATIONS 

Please be aware that account overdue reminders are completely automated from within the student portal, if you have recently made a payment that just has not yet been reconciled through the accounting software, you can just delete the reminder without concern. 

Lesson reminders and cancellation notices are also from the student portal, only email replies make it to me. Replies to automated texts do not send. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

My studio is here to support young people in our community becoming musicians for life. If your family budget is going through a particularly difficult time, and you need some fee relief to be able to keep your child in the music learning that they love, do request scholarship information.

A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE RESOURCE FEE AND MUSIC BOOKS

There has been a significant delay on many music books ordered late last year or early this year. We have a huge amount of our books used in lessons on backorder from our supplier in Sydney. I am working around this problem and learning continues, but if you have been waiting for a book - then thank you for your patience. 

Whenever I have the opportunity to do so, I source secondhand copies of books used in our studio so that for a few lucky students I can provide a book at a much cheaper cost than buying new. If you have a low cost book on your invoice, that is how it got there and lucky you ;)

It is unfortunate just how high the cost of new music books has become, but we cannot avoid copyright laws and we also love to support music composers and publishers whose industry supports us in our learning. 

Resource fees are charged once a term, for term 1, it will appear on your March invoice. New students who have just registered do not get charged the resource fee until the following term. Resource fees are for things that students use apart from their own copies of music books.

What are some of the things the resource fee contributes to? This is not a comprehensive list but gives you some idea.

-personalised practice diaries

-certificates and awards

-subscriptions to teaching platforms/websites etc. used in lessons

-cost of apps and web based programs used in lessons

-purchase of backing tracks

-purchase of music books used by many students in our studio library

-maintenance/repair/purchase of classroom instruments

-cleaning of classroom spaces

-printing costs

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Since last newsletter I have engaged in the following short courses:

Brisbane - Repair of stringed instruments

Brisbane - Australian Guild of Music teacher training day/ innovations in music education

Online - Contemporary Harmony Practices

AMEB - workshop on Intermediate flute teaching and new resources for grade 5/6 flute exams

AWARDS SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER

Khobi Arthurson - Credit grade 2 Theory and Distinction grade 4 piano

Jasper Keech - Distinction grade 1 Guitar

Rebecca Farraway - Credit grade 5 piano

Mietta Hilton - Distinction grade 1 piano

Lola Gonsalves - Distinction grade 2 piano

Robyn Rose - Distinction grade 1 flute

AVAILABILITY

We currently have some availability in our First Piano Adventures Class on Tuesday mornings at 8am. If you have friends who have thought about starting piano, get them to come for a trial lesson now so they don’t miss out.

Our Kinder Beat (ages 2-5) classes are also taking new enrolments for Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Please enquire for details. 

That is it for now, thank you for reading with me. Email me with any joys or concerns about your child's progress, their learning program and  goals, or the activities within our studio.

Warmly,

Ms Joanne :)

2023 Term 3 Newsletter

Friday, July 21, 2023 by Joanne Trewick | Newsletter

Hello music parents 

We have hit the ground running for term 3, lots happening in our classes and in preparation for ensembles, exams and other performances.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and stay informed and involved. I appreciate it. 

The First draft of the 2024 home studio (afterschool) schedule will be emailed quite soon, please respond promptly with your intentions or interests for 2024. We have more students than we have places and I want to make it work for as many families as possible. I realise that most families still have much to work out before the new year starts with many other activities, but a response with your confirmation or concerns will help me make a schedule that is as helpful to you as we can make it. 

Also on the subject of thinking ahead….

If your child would like to consider applying for a music scholarship/music extension program or any other audition associated with entering high school - it is never too early to let me know so that we can make plans to give you the best options possible. There is also a bursary available to hard working music students in year 7, year 6 students should be preparing now if they intend auditioning. And - another bursary is offered to year 12 students who intend to study tertiary music. If any of things might be on your radar for your child, please be in touch to chat about your options and what is required.

A note about invoices - you will notice the term 3 resource fee was not charged to your July invoice, I thought I would help spread costs out by putting it in September when there are less lessons because of holidays, and because July had the recital levy and August is a long month with no holidays to reduce lesson numbers. The term 4 resource fee will be charged in October, so they will feel like they are very close together but hoping it is actually easier that way.

Hope that makes sense for you :)

TERM 3 SHOWCASE (requires action now)

This is an optional and informal event for all students and their families. We would love to have your family join us! It was sad that we had to cancel this for term 2, so that makes this one the last of these events before recital. I’d love to see all students involved. Please don’t miss out on registering, and the sooner the better so that we can make sure your child is organised with something they feel confident and excited to perform.

Brand new students encouraged to jump in and be a part of this as it really help get the bigger picture of learning and progressing with your instrument.

Sunday Aug 27

Mossman Shire Hall

3pm

$6 registration through the student portal (appears on your account) plus gold coin at the door to offset hall hire costs. 

Registrations firmly close on Friday Aug 11 -  please register now so you don’t miss out. 

How?

Log into student portal>calendar> aug 27>register your student. After Aug 11 you will then receive an email with the program, so you know what your child will be playing. 

2023 ANNUAL RECITAL AND AWARDS NIGHT SATURDAY NOV 4

This is our big and very special event for the year. Unlike term showcases where families can register if the date suits them, the recital is the one event of the year when we have absolutely all students participate. The end of May was the deadline for letting me now that your student would not be able to attend, and levies have now been charged and paid with the July invoice - thank you! 

Our evening event is shaping up to be amazing with students already working on ensemble pieces with their class groups. The program has been organised, hire of equipment sorted and much of the work to organise this huge event is well underway. 

Please block out the whole day in your calendar and consider that your young ones especially will need to be well rested for the big day. We can’t hire the hall and sound equipment for more than one day, so we rehearse in the morning, have solo sessions in the afternoon and finish with a big gala concert of group items and ensembles in the evening. It is a very exciting event for our families and a hugely important part of the learning program. 

For brand new students just starting this term, provision has been made for you in this event, and your levy will be charged to your upcoming invoice. Please confirm if you are available to participate on this date. 

Also for your diary: SUNDAY NOV 5 will be a celebration lunch for families who have been part of our music family for five years or more.

OTHER UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Saint Augustines Grandparents Day Concert: We have a full 30 min concert planned for this Wednesday at Saint Augustines showcasing all of our school music and choir kids. 1:30pm start. There are also 3 music assemblies planned for this term and we are still working on getting to include an aged care concert into our program as well.

Cairns Classical Concert: October 14 we have King, Nikita and Gemma performing at this professional event in Cairns. If you wish to purchase tickets, again please contact me for details. 

Con Brio Exams: We have had many fantastic results with our video instrumental exams already this year. Many more students are on track to complete exams during this term. 

Trinity Theory Exams: These will be early Saturday morning on Nov 4 - the same day as recital - exam students will be scheduled later in the rehearsal schedule to accomodate this important event. 

AWARDS and EVENTS since last newsletter

QMTA Concert: Congratulations to Matilda, Rebecca, Gemma, King and Ching who represented our studio at this event in Cairns on June 4. Their performances were excellent.

MFactor: the Miallo students involved in this did a great job and took out awards for the music sections. Congratulations to all who performed.

Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod: It was a small team this year but everyone placed in their instrumental sections and much was learned by those who participated. I’m hopeful of organising a larger number of students to be involved in this event next year. 

Well done to all of these student on their achievements since last newsletter!

Aadidev Padnakad - 10 guitar pieces

Charlie Moffat - 40 and 50 piano pieces

Elena Rodriguez - 40 guitar pieces

Estella Spence - 40 drum pieces

Mario Molinari - 30 piano pieces

Ching Dang - 10 grade 3 piano pieces

Jimmy Scott - 50 guitar pieces

Jasper Keech - 50 guitar pieces

Nova Hilton - 10 Grade 1 piano pieces

Alex Wearne - 100 piano pieces

Quinn Kelleher - 30 piano pieces

Bailee Weier - 30 piano pieces

Ryder Melchert - 50 piano pieces

Otillie Wells - 20 piano pieces

Erik Pese - 20 Grade 1 piano pieces

Aelita Moss - 50 piano pieces

Zoe Wilson - Distinction Grade 3 piano exam

Lucy Andrews - Distinction Preliminary grade violin exam

Ching Dang - Credit Grade 3 piano exam

Jack Archer - Distinction Grade 1 piano exam

King Dang - Distinction Grade 5 piano exam

Amanda Yeo - High Distinction Grade 5 piano exam

Aelita Moss - Distinction Grade 2 piano exam

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

I have been working through some online musicology units on how the study of music affects our everyday life from a music psychology point of view.

That’s it for now, more details to follow on various events throughout the year. Thanks for your continued support in everything we do to make learning music successful for your child. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with any concerns or joys or questions about your child’s progress.

Thank you

Ms Joanne