THE ARTS FACULTY
Whilst TAS recognises 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. Art subjects 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) and Mrs Fiona Hamill (Director of Music).
- Art: Mr Jim Rea
- Drama: Ms Maggie Shepherd - King.
The Junior School Arts teachers: Mrs Lou McNamara (Art), Mrs Anna Long (Music WRJ) and Miss Andrea Marks (Music MCC) successfully lay the foundations for all students.
In addition, many students receive instrumental tuition on a range of musical instruments: piano (Mrs Diane Cadell, Mrs Anne Linneman, Mrs Jenny Meehan, Mrs Maureen Walby, Mrs Joy Zahner), strings (Mrs Sue Stitt), brass (Mr Bill Carlyle, Mrs Christina Ogle), woodwind (Mrs Fiona Hamill, Ms Paula Gampe), guitar (Mr Andre Houghton, Mr Sam Conomo) voice (Mrs Melanie Pells), drums (Mr Graeme Lundy, Mr Glenn Saggers and Mr Pete Burgess). The instrumental programme is co-ordinated by Mrs. Stitt.
Click here to listen to Rowan Whites composition of As the tides rise
Each year a major co-curricular event is staged with recent offerings being a Musical, Concert Series, Fashion Parade or Theatre Restaurant. Concerts and community performances occur each term. A music camp commences the year providing an occasion to learn new material. Music tours offer another chance for development, education and performance practice.
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.
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.
Additionally, some students have the opportunity for tuition on wind and brass instruments as an introduction to the skills required to master these instruments.
Our musical groups continue to grow in strength and accomplishment.
TAS Jazz
TAS Jazz, the TAS Stage Band, 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.
String Ensembles
They consist of violins, violas, cello and piano with members from the Junior and Secondary Schools performing in the Junior Strings and Senior Strings. The Senior Strings 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.
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.
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.
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.
Mrs Alison Falk
HEAD OF PERFORMING ARTS
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