The Arts Music Programme
The Performing Arts Faculty
Whilst we recognise and encourage the exceptional talents of a number of our students, the pivotal aim of the arts programs is to expose all students to the broadest possible range of cultural experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in and develop an appreciation of the performing arts, which they will carry throughout life.
The three disciplines of Art, Drama and Music are thriving departments across three campuses at Trinity Anglican School. Arts subjects (Music, Drama, Dance, Media and Art) are studied as part of the Junior School Curriculum. In Year Eight, all students study art, drama and music for a semester and in Years Nine & Ten, Art, Music and Drama can be studied as elective subjects each semester. This culminates in the students' selection of Art, Drama and Music as Senior Board subjects.
Tutelage in the Arts is offered by:
- Music: Mrs Alison Falk (Head of Performing Arts), Mrs Sue Stitt (Director of Instrumental Music), Mrs Fiona Hamill (Director of Music) and Miss Melissa Sanders (Class room music).
- Art: Mr Jim Rea
- Drama: Ms Melissa Dickson
The Junior School Arts teachers: Mrs Erica George (Music WRJ), Ms Eva Horn (MCC Music) successfully lay the foundations for all students.
In addition, many students receive instrumental tuition on a range of musical instruments through TAS Musical Instrument Lessons read more >>
Each year a major co-curricular event is staged with recent offerings being a Musical, Concert Series, Fashion Parade or Theatre Restaurant. Recent productions have included The Wiz (2006), Calamity Jane (2007) and Annie (2008) and Bye Bye Birdie (2009). TAS groups often stage off-site concerts and community performances during the year.
A music camp commences the year providing an occasion to learn new material with music tours offering further opportunities for development, education and performance practice. The school also enters the Cairns & District Junior Eisteddfod and organizes and participates in the North Queensland Independent Schools Music Festival.
The drama programme encourages students to participate in productions from Shakespeare to mime and contemporary plays. Productions are performed for the public on a regular basis in The Bishop Centre, the School's fully equipped Performing Arts Complex that is supported by the student tech crew.
A String programme in the Junior School initially offers free tuition to young students. The Year Three violin programme offers each student introductory group lessons on the violin. Each student has an instrument loaned to them for the duration of this semester-long course. Many students who have started in this programme, have gone on to individual lessons on the violin or have chosen to play other orchestral instruments. Our musical groups continue to grow in strength and accomplishment.
TAS Jazz
TAS Jazz, the TAS Stage Band, began in 1994 under the direction of Mr Peter Sunman. It continued from 1998 - 2003 under Mr Eddie Zahner and from 2004 - 2008 under the direction of Mr Bill Carlyle. It is comprised of some of the School's top wind, brass and rhythm players, enabling it to perform Jazz, Rock and popular music to a very high standard. TAS Jazz consists of saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, drums and vocalists. This is a very committed group of musicians who have successfully entered Eisteddfodau and who play not only for school performances, but out-of-school functions.
TAS Jazz Sample Tracks
Light My Fire (mp3 file) Quicktime may be needed to play the music files.
String Ensembles
Originating with Music Captain, Miss Emma Robinson in 1999, string groups are currently fostered and conducted by Mrs Sue Stitt. They consist of violins, violas, cello and piano with members from the Junior and Secondary Schools performing in the Junior Strings, Senior Strings and Chamber String Ensembles. TAS string ensembles have successfully competed in Eisteddfodau and frequently perform at various events throughout the year.
Orchestra
This group is conducted by Mrs Sue Stitt and combines the talents of all musicians within WRS. The orchestra performs at key School functions such as Speech Night and Trinity Day. A Concert Band will recommence in 2009.
Junior Bands
Both campuses have Junior School Concert Bands. These bands form effective training ensembles for participation in Secondary School music as well as regularly performing in their own right. They are directed by Mrs Fiona Hamill and Miss Melissa Sanders.
School Choirs
Both campuses have Junior and Secondary School choirs which form an integral part of the School music programme. The Choirs perform at Eisteddfodau, Speech Night, School functions and concerts and Worship Services. Smaller vocal groups spring from the choir to present music for various occasions throughout the school. In 2004 a Boys Choir was formed.
Small Ensembles
As musical talent develops, students are encouraged to play in small ensembles. These have been many and varied and have included a string quartet, piano trio, clarinet choir, flute ensemble and sax pack. These groups perform on many occasions, both at school and for community events.
The Junior School has small ensemble training groups which rehearse each week.
Fashion Parade
Each year, the Year Eleven students bid to run this fundraising event. It is highly successful and showcases over 100 students modeling fashions from local outlets and student-devised fashions. One of the highlights is the wearable art section which features the students' creative designs.
The Arts Department is undoubtedly one of the most active faculties within the School with practices, performances and functions keeping staff and students, as well as their supporters, busy at all times. Our students' enthusiasm for the arts has led to the school establishing a fine reputation in the areas of music, art and drama.
