2023 Term 2 Newsletter
Friday, May 5, 2023 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
How fast is the year going? Hope you are enjoying the ride and loving all the accomplishments your kids are making with their music.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and stay informed and involved. I appreciate it.
TERM 2 SHOWCASE
This is an optional and informal event for all students and their families. We would love to have your family join us!
Sunday May 28
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 May 12 - please register now so you don’t miss out.
How?
Log into student portal>calendar> may28>register your student. After May 12 you will then receive an email with the program, so you know what your child will be playing.
For your diary: TERM 3 SHOWCASE Aug 27
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 recital levy (non refundable - May 28 is deadline for letting me know your family can’t be involved) is charged to your account in June ($50 per student and $85 for families). 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.
More details to follow in term 3 but for now make sure the date is firmly marked in your family calendar.
Also for your diary: SUNDAY NOV 5 will be a celebration lunch for families who have been part of our music families for five years or more.
OTHER UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
QMTA Concert: Matilda, Rebecca, Gemma, King and Ching are representing our studio at this event in Cairns on June 4 - we wish them the very best. It is a concert being put on by the combined music teachers of the Cairns region. If you would like to attend to enjoy the performances and support our students, then please contact me for details.
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.
MFactor: Our Miallo students have their school talent show happening in term 2 this year, May 25. I’m sure our students will enjoy performing for their school, they always do a marvellous job.
Saint Augustine’s: Our students at Saints are extremely busy with a full load of performances at school this term for assemblies, liturgies and special occasions. We are also organising some aged care visits soon. Our school music program is bustling and exciting. Congratulations to those who have performed so well this term already.
Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod: We look forward to hearing about how our performance team goes at this event in mid June. If you registered your child for this and did not send me a confirmation email, please do so ASAP.
Con Brio Exams: We have had some great 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.
BRINGING TO YOUR ATTENTION
I’m hoping that all families kept a copy of the 2023 information brochure for their records, if you want another one emailed please just let me know. Please note the information in there (at end of policy section and clearly underlined) about ceasing enrolment. The last date available in 2023 for giving notice to withdraw from lessons is week 8 of this term.This policy is in place to support good continuity of learning for classes, stability of lesson planning and best outcomes for your child. If you don’t plan on your child finishing out the music year, now is the time to be in touch to discuss.
AWARDS since last newsletter
Well done to all of these student on their achievements!
Francesca Hughes - 100 piano pieces/ 10 drum pieces
Sabrina Osera - 40 piano pieces/ 30 piano pieces
Amelie Zonai - Distinction for grade 1 piano exam
Oliver Johnston - 30 piano pieces
Callum Moffat - 30 piano pieces
Zeth Birch - 30 piano pieces
Brock Milford - 10 piano piece
Mario Molinari - 20 piano pieces
Saxon Keech - 10 drum pieces
Ema Parker - 30 piano pieces
Lola Gonsalves - 50 piano pieces/ 10 pieces grade 1 piano
Scarlette Jack - 50 piano piece
Bailee Weier - completing her first piano book
Kasady Quaid - 50 piano pieces
Charlie Moffat - 30 piano pieces
Estella Spence - 30 drum pieces
Jasper Keech - Distinction Preliminary grade guitar exam/ 10 pieces grade 1 piano/ 30 pieces guitar
Emma Coiutti - 70 piano pieces
Indi Connor - 40 piano pieces
Nate Hancock - 10 Grade 3 piano pieces/ Distinction Grade 3 piano exam
Jaxon Ducker - 20 piano pieces
Matilda Muller - 10 Grade 5 piano pieces
Lucy Milford - 50 piano pieces
Quinn Kelleher - finished her first piano book
Callum Moffat - finished his first piano book
Jordi Keune - 30 piano pieces
Anastasia Frahn - 10 grade 3 pieces/ Distinction grade 2 piano exam
Nakeisha Wellham 10 Grade 1 piano pieces
Elena Rodriguez - 30 guitar pieces
Khobi Arthurson - 20 Grade 3 piano pieces
Ava Dwyer - 70 piano pieces
Rosie Perry - Distinction Preliminary grade piano exam
Lucia Hughes - Credit for grade 2 piano exam
Nova Hilton - 10 preliminary grade piano pieces
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A few weeks ago I was able to attend a teachers workshop from AMEB on the new flute syllabus for grades prelim to 4. I have also attended three zoom sessions on the changing face of musicology and the future of classical music from the Australian Guild of Music.
CHARITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Our Saints students are collecting all of the stamps they earn (for recording practice, completing theory, playing pieces by memory, writing compositions, teamwork in lessons etc.) as a fundraiser for the Caritas charity. Our home studio students are doing the same for the Mossman Hospital Foundation. We have passed $50 so far between the two teams and hope to increase that further during term 2.
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 :)
Ms Joanne ♫☺
2023 Term 1 Newsletter
Sunday, February 19, 2023 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
MUSIC WITH JOANNE TREWICK NEWSLETTER TERM 1 2023
As always, the start of the year is such an inspiring time filled with new possibilities and it has been super exciting to get back into our classes and stuck into some of the great things I have planned for 2023. I can't believe we are looking down the barrel at week 5 already!
The highlight of our 2022 Term 4 was another triumphant recital and I’m sure you can agree that our students did us all proud, if anyone has missed the photos (on social media and personal ones sent to families) please let me know. Be sure to block out Saturday November 4 in your diary now for the 2023 Annual Recital and Awards Night. I have been successful in securing a Saturday this year, as I know that is better for so many families. Rehearsal will run in the morning, solos in the afternoon and the group event at night - so be sure to keep that weekend clear. A levy to contribute towards costs will be applied to accounts at the start of term 3.
So, what else does 2023 have in store for our musical families?
TERM 1 Student Showcase
Unlike our Recital, our term showcases are a much more informal event, for students to have a chance to perform what they have been working on in a warm, supportive environment.
Students can perform in group pieces or solos and every student no matter how new is encouraged to participate. If your child feels particularly nervous about performing, then it is really essential that that we help overcome that from the earliest lessons - so register them and let me know the concern. I will play with them and make sure it is not an intimidating experience.
This event is by registration only. Go to the student portal > calendar > march 26 > Showcase event - complete registration for your student. Once your student is registered I will help them decide on a performance piece and this will be noted in their diary. A $6 charge will be added to your account upon registration as a small contribution to the cost of putting on this event. Gold coin at the door is also welcome from audience members to offset hall hire costs.
Registrations close March 10 (and please note this year no late registrations will be accepted) so that organisation of the program can be finalised at this point.
NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
** Our award program is changing **
The Pieces Learnt Challenges
New students start by completing a 50-piece challenge, certificates at 10, 20, and 40 pieces. A medal at 30 pieces and a Trophy at 50 pieces. Most students will be onto their grade level challenges (30 pieces per grade) by then, but we also keep track of the total tally and have a special award at 100 pieces, 200 pieces and so on!
The more pieces a student has learnt (and can play with confidence) the broader range of skills they have acquired. So, by recognising numbers of pieces learnt we are really encouraging this growth and ownership of learning, along with the home practice needed to make this happen.
The Stamps in Diaries for The Prize Box
Here we are making a change also. Stamps will still be awarded to students for recording their practice in diaries (or in the student portal practice log), or for home theory tasks completed. Bonus stamps are also awarded for special achievements in lessons.
The stamps will no longer be collected in individual diaries but will be added to a chart in the music room, for a team effort to raise funds for a charity. The Saint Augustine’s students are working together to raise funds for Catholic charity - Caritas, to join with other fundraising efforts at school this term. Home studio students are working together to raise funds for the Mossman Hospital Foundation. Which team will get to $100 first? Students learning at Miallo SS are all in junior grades and will continue with the prize box.
2023 INFO BROCHURES
It is important that even long-time families take the time to read the brochure for this year, there is lot of important information that will help make your musical education journey a successful one.
A few changes to note from this brochure is that while I have not raised lesson fees, GST is now applicable to all music account items. There are also three specific dates throughout the year when withdrawing from our studio is possible - please take note of these as withdrawals from enrolment are not accepted at other times. (This is to avoid disruption to classes and performance preparation, to ensure optimum learning for all students in each term.)
If you have not yet read the brochure and filled in a 2023 enrolment form please attend to that asap. Thanks!
STUDENT PORTAL
Please keep your password somewhere safe and visit the portal often to check on your account details, review lesson notes, reread newsletters, register for events, check calendar for upcoming lessons, record practice etc. Many parent like to use the widget function on their phone for ease of access.
CLASSES
Ø BEGINNER PIANO - Our piano kids keep rocketing forward with their progress and moving upwards and onwards to higher classes - this means we have plenty of openings in our beginner classes. Let your friends know!
Wednesdays 3:30-4:00 for First Piano Adventures
Wednesdays 4:00-4:30 for Junior 2
Mondays 3:45-4:30 for Junior 3
Ø ENSEMBLE CLASSES - The following classes are looking for new members to join the fun and help us sound amazing for our ensemble performances, please enquire for details:
· String Ensemble Class Mondays 3:15-3:45pm (open to violin, viola, or cello students)
· Guitar Class Tuesdays 3:30-4:00pm
· Vocal Class Tuesdays 5:00-5:30pm (must be old enough to read lyrics)
· Flute Class Tuesdays 7:00-7:30pm
Ø CASUAL LESSONS - For students seeking extra individual lessons (to consolidate or extend learning/ to learn a particular piece for a family event/ to prep for an exam or competition etc.) we have a casual lesson list.
If you want to be on this list, just ask and you will receive a text every time I have availability upcoming. Book by replying to the text if the available time suits you. Lessons are added to your account and will appear on the following month invoice, or you can make arrangements to pay for these lessons as they occur.
EISTEDDFOD
This is an exciting event for young musicians in our district, I strongly encourage participation for many students as committing to a performance like this always spurs great progress.
Emails will go out this week to all families who have students at competition standard for their age group.
Even though the event isn’t until June preparation starts now, so a prompt reply and movement on learning the performance repertoire is essential.
EXAMS
Our studio has been a long time participant in the examination systems of AMEB and TCL, and in recent years we have added Con Brio to our tool belt.
Con Brio has now also gained recognition with QCCA for recording on senior statements and QCE accreditation, so our students have even more options available to them. You will receive information about exams throughout the year if your child is ready complete a grade, we usually submit for assessment via video recordings, but ‘in person’ exams are also possible if you prefer that - let me know now.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Since our last newsletter I have been able to take advantage of some fantastic short courses to keep growing my skills and stay current with research on learning and development. Continued professional development is very important to me and a very worthwhile use of my time on school holidays as it benefits our learners individually, our studio as a whole and me personally as well. Courses completed include:
Ø Music and the Neuro-Diverse student
Ø Understanding Music through the Autism Lense
Ø ADHD in the Classroom
Ø Motivational (external and intrinsic) Outcomes for music students
Ø Self-Determination Theory (and the study of how motivation for learning is built in individuals)
IMPORTANT DATES
Ø Sunday March 26 Term 1 Student Showcase by registration
Ø Sunday May 28 Term 2 Student Showcase by registration
Ø Sunday August 27 Term 3 Student Showcase by registration
Ø Saturday Nov 4 Annual Recital and Awards Night for ALL students. Levy applied to accounts in term 3.
Ø Thursday April 6 last teaching day for term 1
Ø Monday April 17 first teaching day of term 2
Ø Tuesday April 25 ANZAC DAY holiday and combined schools choir performance
Ø June 12 Cairns Eisteddfod opens and runs to the start of the school holidays - by invite and then enter through Comps Online
Ø TCL Theory exams are May and November
Ø Con Brio and TCL digital assessments are open all year
Ø AMEB in person exams are May and August, video exams are June and October
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your support in the journey of musical education for your family.
:) Ms Joanne
April/May Creativity Challenge
Saturday, April 10, 2021 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
CREATIVITY CHALLENGE!
Deadline: Sunday May 30th at 3pm (three videos of three different tasks must be submitted to me prior to this date/time)
Three categories from which winners will be chosen:
1. Students in their first year of lessons
2. Primary school Students
3. High school students
Winners announced and awarded at the Term 2 Showcase
What to do?
Submit three videos (by text or email) showcasing tasks chosen from the following list:
- Create an exercise to help develop a particular technique.
- Show a creative way to practice scales and arpeggios
- Write your own piece to be played on your instrument (at least 8 bars). In the video show your written music as well as you playing it. (This could also be a song)
- Make a recording or video of you performing your own composition that is not written down. (Either memorised or improvised)
- Create an improvisation on a chord progression
- Personalise one of your pieces by adding an introduction or coda, changing octaves/rhythms/ riffs or making it more interesting in anyway you can imagine.
- Take the main themes of one of your pieces and play it a different style. (for example, change your sonatina to ballad style or turn your waltz into a march)
- You are also welcome to suggest a task of your own!
BE SURE TO ASK FOR HELP IF YOU WANT TO TRY A TASK BUT AREN’T SURE HOW TO START :)
This challenge will be an important part of our learning program this term, please make the effort to get involved.
Have fun!
