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
Term 2 Update
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 by Joanne Trewick | News
Hi to all Music families,
Due to ongoing complications with my foot surgery I am still in hospital a full three weeks after the operation. The videos and messages I have received from music families have been such a bright spot for me during this difficult time! I have really enjoyed being able to support a number of students continue their learning by sending videos and messages back and forwards. Not ideal, but encouraging to have it as an option for those who have wanted to.
For many of you though, it has meant a lengthy break to lessons, and I cannot wait to be able to see everyone in person again. In all honesty though, I do not know when that will be, it seems foolhardy to keep making predictions that don’t come together. It certainly has not been anything like expected so far!
I am definitely doing better finally though, so I think we are though he worst and on track to be returning home in the near future. And then I will be looking at what options I can offer for lessons, and how it might work until I can be back to my full time schedule.
Some important details for you:
1. Our term 2 Student Showcase, scheduled for next week sadly has to be cancelled.
2. Everything possible is being done to ensure eisteddfod students are ready for their performances this month. These students will be prioritised for in person lessons as soon as I have option to do so, possibly even by having bedside lessons. Schedule of sessions and the full program has been released, expect an email soon spelling out days and times. There are also a couple of students with other important wedding/audition/special occasion/exam performances coming up on, please be in touch regarding your preparation and what I will be able to do to help.
3. The May Creativity challenge had a couple of exceptional entries, but I’m going to extend the closing date until Monday June 7 in the hopes that a few more students will use the challenge as a springboard for experimenting with some different ideas while they are not having a lot of normal practice homework. Please look up “May Creativity Challenge“ in your emails, or go to news and blog posts in the portal to get all the details handy again. About 3/4 of our student body would be able to complete the challenge without assistance, and most students have had at least some guidance in the first lessons we had in May. I encourage everyone to at least have a go.
4. In all likelihood, Saints assembly and choir performances will need to be postponed further to the very end of term, or possibly even early term 3. I am terribly sorry as I know how many excited students there were for this!
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch, I’m really keen to hear from everyone, and even though this has been a trying time for me and my family - hearing from students is not a bother at all. You are all very important to me! Please let me know how I can best support the music learning in your home whilst I am not able to do things the normal way.
kindest regards,
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!
