Music

The Music Stream at The McDonald College is unique as it offers two hours per day of training in the art of performance.  The program is designed to be accessible to all students regardless of their chosen genre e.g. Music Theatre, Contemporary or Classical Vocal, Instrumental both Classical and Contemporary.  Learning experiences in performing, performance techniques, composition techniques and styles, musicianship and analysis aim to heighten student awareness and assist in the development of the complete musician rather than solely the performer.

The Music Stream consists of core days where students work towards achieving specified outcomes in relation to Music.  Performance days offer an opportunity for students to work towards specific performance outcomes that may not necessarily be associated with the curriculum offered on the core days.  This time may also be used for preparation of items for concerts or recitals.

Elective days are designed for students from all streams to experience another art form that interests them.  Ensemble performance is the priority for the elective day in the Music Stream.  Music students may choose to remain in the Music Stream on elective days, but are encouraged to broaden their education by choosing a class in another performance discipline.

In any of the Core, Elective or Performance Days, students may have access to choreographers, directors or specialist musicians brought in to supplement the program, as the need should arise.

The Music Stream program works alongside the Academic Music program and can support students who wish to study Music for the Higher School Certificate, particularly in the area of performance.

Each year the staff of the Music Stream assists the students to record a CD of their own original works. Specialists in the area of Music production and composition teach students the process involved in writing original work and how the recording process works. These recordings are made in the College’s digital recording studio located within the Music Department.

The Music students gain performance experience by performing in excess of 50 occasions throughout the year.   These include showcase concerts, open days, fairs, studio recitals, lunch-time concerts, launches, corporate functions and the Music Stream’s Annual Gala Performance held in the City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney.

Students in the younger years experience the Music Stream by becoming involved in a Primary Concert Band which, under the direction of a Primary Music Specialist, offers our students the opportunity to extend their skills learnt as part of the Primary Orchestral Instrument Program.  An introductory course in Musical Theatre is also offered to upper primary students as an alternative to the Primary Orchestral Instrument Program. The Primary Chorale continues to build not only its repertoire but its reputation as well.  These students are invited to perform at such functions as the Pilot’s Conference at the ANA Hotel, the Starlight Foundation’s Star Ball held at the Sheraton on the Park, Open Days at the College, Grandparents’ days, the Annual Music Gala, Speech Day, the City of Sydney Eisteddfod and numerous other events.

Students who would prefer a more traditional approach to Music performance can hone their skill as part of the Classical Music program in the senior school. Performances are held regularly in our Recital Room that houses a full size Yamaha Grand Piano. 

A unique area in the Music Stream is the provision for contemporary singers and musicians. This style of performance is strongly supported at the College.  Jazz and rock bands develop within different year groups and are a popular section of the Music Stream.

On occasion, industry professionals are invited to give a workshop to our students.  One of those, graduate Tim Draxl, conducted a Master Class with five students who were asked to perform and then received feedback on improving their performance.  Events such as these prove to be very successful and provide an excellent learning experience for the students.

To support the Academic and Performing Arts programs students may arrange for individual lessons in all instruments as well as contemporary or classical voice.  These lessons are provided through the McDonald Performing Arts College by Peripatetic staff, many of who are highly regarded Music industry professionals. The McDonald Performing Arts College provides these expert teachers during the day for students as well as all the after-hours programs in Performing Arts.  These students are given opportunities to display their individual skills at concerts throughout the year.