2024 Term 4 Newsletter
Sunday, December 1, 2024 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
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
Term 3 Newsletter
Friday, August 2, 2024 by Joanne Trewick | Uncategorized
Hello to all music families
Welcome to the Term 3 newsletter!
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!
Thank you to all families who have expressed their support as I travelled this week to be with my family. As many of you would understand, I am in that season of my life where my parents (mum, dad and step mum) are all dealing with ill health. This particular trip was a very positive one though with a great outcome to the surgery. We are so very lucky to have our most capable Miss Rebekah and the support of senior students Nikita and Matilda who have allowed continuity of learning to take place for nearly all classes. This is essential so close to recital and I appreciate their efforts - and your support. Thank you.
This newsletter is pretty much all about recital. The benefits to our students or moving through the various processes of preparing for an event like this are way too many to list here. Every single year I feel daunted about the prospect of putting on another recital, and every single year, when it is done and I see in classes the jump in skills and confidence, the excitement and inspiration in the kids, the delight of the parents and the impetus that has moved everyone forward in their learning - I know why I do it!! It is only a month away, so please make sure your family is very much in the loop of what is happening.
So……
2024 Recital and Awards Event SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8 @ SAINT AUGUSTINE’S STAGE
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. It is a group performance event, so all of your child’s performances will be as part of a group and it will be so much fun! (For those who have experienced previous recitals - we are not doing the solo concerts in the afternoon this year) Every student will be a part of the opening song, and then junior classes have two items each, with older students involved in a bit more as they have various ensembles happening. Please support frequent practice at home for maximum confidence on the day.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th. Clear the whole day as we have numerous parts to the program and students need to be available for rehearsals during the day, then the big event begins at 5pm. If you haven’t participated in a recital before, feel free to ask any questions you need. If you have just joined our studio and are a brand new family, please let me know asap if your child can participate - I hope they can! To all of you who have not experienced a recital before, I promise you will be amazed at what the kids can do and what a wonderful event it is. Please do invite as many friends and family as you can, your child will be so proud to show what they can do to all the significant people in your life and everyone in the audience will thoroughly enjoy the performances.
No registration is required for this one as it is assumed that all families will participate, the significant costs of putting on an event of this magnitude is offset by a two part levy to families. This was applied to all accounts in June and July - and for new students who have just started, the levy will be charged in September. Levies were as follows:
$26 per student or $38 for families with more than one student, in June
$26 per student or $38 for families in July.
Please note there is no refund of recital levies if your child does not attend. Awards, costs for sound guys/stage equipment etc has all been done and paid well ahead of time - based on the number of students we have planned for (and we do plan to allow for all the new students joining us in recital term each year)
SENIOR STUDENTS HAVE AN ESSENTIAL STAGE REHEARSAL
ON SATURDAY MORNING AUG 17….you will be emailed separately if this rehearsal involves your child.
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.
TERM SHOWCASES
Our Term 2 showcase was so very wonderful, we had some really great ensemble performances and lots of magnificent solos. Everyone was so well prepared and the audiences thoroughly enjoyed the performances - we had so many beautiful comment cards!
Lock in the date for the Term 4 Showcase now - a much more informal event than the upcoming Recital but a very important part of our learning program nonetheless. SUNDAY NOV 17 3pm.
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT that I have enjoyed since last newsletter
Online - High Impact Teaching Strategies in Action
Online -Differentiated Teaching
Online - Technology and Composition
Cairns AMEB workshop - Engaging Young Beginners with Lisa Bastien and Exam Preparation for the Modern Student with Paul Harris
AWARDS SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER
Rebecca Farraway - Credit GRADE 6 PIANO EXAM
Charlie Moffat - Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM
Sabrina Osera - Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM
Zac Williams - 50pc piano trophy
Dannielle Lake - 30pc drum medal
Ava Axon - High Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM
Maddison - 10pc piano certificate
Willow Reilly - 30pc piano medal
Lucy Milford - High Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM
Aadidev Padnakad - Distinction PRELIMINARY GRADE PIANO EXAM
Louis Begtsson - 30pc medal and 30pc medal and 50pc piano trophy
Elina Bengtsson - 50pc piano trophy
Aelita Moss - 10pc Grade 3 piano certificate
Etenia Simon - 10pc piano certificate
Elsie Morris - 10pc piano certificate
Nova Hilton - Distinction GRADE 1 PIANO EXAM
Ellie Scott - 20pc Preliminary Grade piano certificate
Parker Fapani - 10pc Preliminary Grade piano certificate
Lennox Freitas - 10pc piano certificate
Archer Scomazzon - 10pc guitar certificate
Cody Hilton - 20pc guitar certificate
Moses Kavanagh - 40pc piano certificate
Olive-Litsa Kavanagh - 40pc piano certificate
Sabrina Osera -10pc preliminary grade piano certificate
Oscar Hack - 40pc piano certificate
Lana Soltwedel - 10pc piano certificate
Nakeisha Wellham - 10pc grade 3 piano certificate
Tyler Morley - 10pc piano certificate
Sabrina Osera - 20pc guitar certificate
Khobi Arthurson - 10pc grade 5 piano certificate
Nate Hancock - 10pc grade 5 piano certificate
Eva Tunnock - 20pc piano certificate
Elena Rodriguez - 50pc guitar trophy
Mahli Goetze - 10pc piano certificate
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.
I'm very much on the run, so hoping there aren't too many typos in this. Can't wait to see you all at recital, don't be afraid to email me with any questions, or just to check in on your child's progress. I might be a little hard to contact in early August but I will catch up on communications after that.
Biggest smiles :)
Ms Joanne
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 :)
