2025 Term 1 Newsletter

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized

 Music With Joanne Trewick Music Studio

Term 1 Newsletter

Wow, we are already past the halfway mark of this term!

Our year has had a banging start, with so much going on in our music rooms that is exciting and wonderful.

Welcome

We have had many new families join us this term and I hope that all children are starting to feel settled and excited about the possibilities of their musical journey. We extend a very warm welcome to all new families and encourage you to get as involved as possible with home practice routines, performance opportunities and to feel comfortable asking any questions that you may have, if there is anything that you are not feeling sure about. Learning an instrument is a “Big Picture Project” not something that happens in a short timeframe, but the benefits to students are almost immediate as they create new pathways in their brain and carve out new ways of being effective learners. 

Two Learning Spaces For Us

One of the biggest changes to our music studio this year has been given the opportunity of adding the music learning space at Saint Augustine’s primary school to our schedule of after school and weekend classes. We are beyond grateful to the school for allowing us to put their space to such great use and look forward to showing our appreciation of that by respecting the safety rules in place for the school grounds outside of school hours. Please see below a letter from Saints principal Mrs Kym Bennett that details the expectations.

Dear Parents,

St Augustine's are excited to welcome all Music with Jo Trewick students to their school! Ensuring the safety and well-being of your children is our shared priority. With child safety in mind, we implement comprehensive safety protocols and maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio to ensure that every child receives the attention, instruction and care they deserve. We believe that a safe student is a happy student, and we are working together to support your child's musical educational journey every step of the way.

Because the lessons are happening on school premises and outside of school hours, the children attending lessons will be supervised in the music room at all times. Ideally parents, carers and siblings will then leave school grounds until pickup time. Students will be supervised in the Music room until the responsible adult arrives for pickup.  If leaving the school grounds is not possible or practical for the parent/carer, all children (i.e. siblings) not involved in music classes must be fully and actively supervised by their parent in the undercover area. Please be aware, Outside of School Hours Care use the playground equipment as part of their program. This means we are not able to use this equipment at any time outside of school hours.

Thank you for your understanding and your ongoing support.

Kind Regards,

Kym Bennett 
Principal 
E: kbennett@cns.catholic.edu.au

Term 1 Showcase Change of Plans

As many of you may have realised by now (since no email addressing registration or providing further details has been sent out) the Term 1 Showcase, announced as taking place on Sunday March 9 in the January newsletter - is not this weekend! This was a typo, and the event is Saturday March 29. Instead of our usual Student Showcase we are providing entertainment at the Community Bush Dance Event between 4 and 6pm. Please plan to join us if your child has a performance, or just come along to support our students and enjoy the whole event. No registration is needed for this event.

Community Bush Dance hosted by Saint Augustines

The March 29 Bush Dance event will not involve every single student, but it will involve many. If your child’s class is among those invited to perform you can expect an email with details soon. I will need a prompt reply to confirm their availability to be there. Please check your diary now to see if this date will be workable for your family. Our performances will run between 4 and 6pm. 

Term 2/3 Showcase dates

These events are optional and require registration if you wish to participate. Details will be in the next newsletter, but please save the following dates:

Term 2 Showcase is on Sunday June 8

Term 3 Showcase is on Sunday Aug 31

All students will be encouraged to register and events will start at 3pm.

For Term 2, registrations will open on Friday May 16 and close on Saturday May 31. This year I will not be able to accept late registrations so please mark your diary carefully. 

RECITAL and AWARDS Night

Mark October 18 in bold highlight on your calendar as this is the event that involves all students from all classes, and is our biggest event of the year - the Annual Recital and Awards! Your family will need the whole day free to enjoy this spectacular event, as we do a stage rehearsal in the morning and have our performance late afternoon and into the evening. Unless there are extenuating circumstances we expect attendance by all students to this event, so please make every effort to keep this date free to celebrate the musician in your family!

Professional development

Time and costs involved in the pursuit of excellence are many, but I think it is well worth it to ensure that I maintain a fresh pedagogical approach. Therefore, I am continually and actively seeking out new input, as it is very important to me to keep learning. And to keep you informed regarding this aspect of lesson preparations, I like to share my current professional development course/s in each newsletter. 

This month I have been exploring ideas around memorisation of musical works, both the benefits that can be achieved and also the blocks that some students can experience playing from memory - and how to overcome these. 

All Instrumentalists Should Sing….

Singing is so impactful to our musical education to develop our inner hearing and sense of pitch. This skill called audiation, is a skill I want for all my students! Not all of us feel comfortable singing, but I strongly encourage everyone to sing at any opportunity to help develop a sense of comfort with the sound of our own voices. Our Monday voice class still has openings, it is our lowest cost class (because I really want it to be accessible to all students) and….if your family already pays for three or more classes a week it is completely FREE! Consider now if you can make 4-4:30pm on Mondays work for the students in your family.

Term Resource Fee

As you would be aware, the resources used in lessons (subscriptions to learning platforms, streaming services, downloadable music licenses, reference copies of books, instruments, printing etc. etc.) all come with a cost. The term resource fee charged to each family once a term goes a small way towards contributing to maintaining access to these things. I always try to apply it to invoices in a month that have a smaller number of lessons due to school holidays. For Term 1 - that will be the April invoices. Term 2 doesn’t have an ideal month as May and June are both 4 active lesson weeks each, so it will be added to the May invoice. Please be assured that it is a once a term charge, not a once a month one, but at times it may occur back to back, on consecutive monthly invoices.

Staff Introductions

Most of you have had the chance to meet or work with the lovely Miss Rebekah Ives, she aides in a good number of classes throughout the week , takes some classes on her own, as well as being our licensed Kinder Beat instructor. This is Miss Rebekah’s third year as part of our teaching team and her focus is early childhood music education.

Miss Rebecca Farraway has assisted with some classes in the past but is stepping into the assistant role in more classes this year. Miss Rebecca has been in lessons with me for ten years now, is a fine pianist and holds skills across various other instruments as well, she attends Mossman High.

 

Many of you receive lesson notes each week from either Miss Rebekah or Miss Rebecca who write about our lesson for you, check your child’s practice diary and theory books, help with tuning and set up of instruments, offer extra guidance to students who may be struggling with an activity or take on other tasks that allow the class to run smoothly and for me to concentrate on delivering a fast paced and full lesson of learning.

When either of these ladies are not able to be in class, I really miss them and notice the difference. For this reason, I will be training more of our advanced students over the coming months to be available for relief work when more teacher assistants are needed to cover our classes with me. 

Also, in the pursuit of keeping my energy and focus on planning and teaching, I have employed the services of Mrs Deb Cockburn to take over some of the admin load for our studio. Here is a brief introduction from her.

Hi music students and parents, I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to help Joanne with the administrative side of her wonderful music studio and as such, provide support to her students and parents in that capacity. Over time I will be able to assist with your enquiries etc., at the moment I am learning Studio operations and working towards streamlining Studio admin processes, with the main goal of freeing up more of Joanne’s time for her passion projects, the important stuff – teaching music to your children.

Deb

Awards Since Last 2024 Newsletter

2024

Francesca Hughes - Grade 2 piano 10 pieces

Cody Hilton - 40pc guitar certificate

Haku Emmerson - 50pc piano trophy

Emma Coiutti - High Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM

2025

Alianna Currie - 10pc piano certificate

Lennox Freitas - 20pc piano certificate

Etenia Chayenne Simon - 30pc piano medal

Bella Hawkes-Gabrielli - 20pc piano certificate

Marsden Smyth - Grade 2 piano 20 pieces

Louis Bengtsson - Preliminary Grade piano 20 pieces

Elina Bengtsson - Preliminary Grade piano 20 pieces

Neil Ekwanich - Distinction GRADE 4 PIANO EXAM

Neil Ekwanich - Credit GRADE 2 THEORY

Nakeisha Wellham - Distinction GRADE 3 PIANO EXAM

Nakeisha Wellham - Grade 3 piano 10 pieces

Aelita Moss - Distinction  GRADE 3 PIANO EXAM

Aelita Moss - Grade 3 piano 10 pieces

Saxon Keech - High Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Saxon Keech - Grade 1 piano 20 pieces

Kieantae Salaam - 20pc piano certificate

Cora Mountford - 40 pc piano certificate

Moses Kavanagh - Grade 1 piano 10 pieces

Olive-Litsa Kavanagh - Grade 1 piano 10 pieces

Marsden Smyth- Credit GRADE 2 PIANO EXAM

Olive- Litsa Kavanagh- Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Moses Kavanagh- High Disctinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Madeline Morgan- Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Ava Axon - Credit GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Aadidev Padnakad - Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

Anastasia Frahn - Credit GRADE 4 PIANO EXAM

Aadidev Padnakad - 40pc guitar certificate

Callum Moffat - Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM

 

Welcome to 2025

Monday, February 3, 2025 by Joanne Trewick | Newsletter

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