Music Overview
Music has had a central place at Grammar for many years.
Boys learn one, and often two instruments, and have many opportunities to perform both in small ensembles and larger groups. The Music Department is very strong, both in terms of the quality of its teaching staff, and the quality of its facilities. We offer a number of music scholarships for outstanding performers.
MUSIC INFORMATION
Concerts: College Street Concerts.
Ensembles and rehearsal schedules: Weekly rehearsal schedule.
Instrumental and vocal lessons: Please note that enrolment in some instruments is subject to the fulfilment of prerequisite standards, and that places are limited in piano, saxophone and guitar.
Application For Instrumental Music Lessons
Musicianship: Musicianship classes at College Street are offered in Grades 2-6. Private Musicianship lessons are available at all levels and may be relevant to boys wishing to study Grades 5 and 6 in conjunction with AMus and LMus examinations.
Music Association: For over forty years, the Music Association has supported practical music in all its forms at the School. Performances such as the Scholars’ Concert, the Term Concerts, Form V Competition Finals Concert, the HSC Recital, and the Chamber Music Concert are a wonderful inspiration to the younger boys, and always provide engagement and stimulation for parents as well.
THE ORGAN, BIG SCHOOL
The organ for Sydney Grammar School was almost the first instrument to be built by Mander Organs (London) south of the equator but it was ultimately pipped to the post as the first by the continuo instrument Mander built for the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. >>Read more from the organ builders
Concerts
Ensembles and rehearsal schedules
| DAY | SESSION | TIME | REHEARSAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:20am | Stanley Street Big Band Monday | ||
| Monday | 7:30am - 8:30am | AMCO, Camerata, Percussion Ensemble 2 | |
| Lunch | 12:55pm | Croonivores, Grammarphones, Grammar Rock Junior, Jazz Combo Monday Lunch, Junior Brass Ensemble 3, Percussion Ensemble 4 | |
| After School | 3:00pm - 4:30pm | School Orchestra | |
| Evening | 6:30pm - 9:30pm | Dr V’s Swing Thing | |
| Tuesday | Before School | 7:30am - 8:30am | Big Band, Concert Band, Seymour Orchestra, Jazz Combo Tuesday Morning |
| Lunch | 12:55pm | Clarinet Choir, Electric Guitar Ensemble, Grammarphones Rehearsal 2, Percussion Ensemble 3, Tárrega Guitar Ensemble, Tuba Ensemble, Jazz Combo Lunch 1, Jazz Combo Lunch 2, Flute Choir | |
| After School | 3:00pm - 3:40pm | Jazz Combo Tuesday Afternoon | |
| Wednesday | Before School | 7:30am - 8:30am | Cambiata, Cantorum, School Choir, Trumpet Ensemble |
| 7:45am - 8:30am | Tommy Emmanuel Guitar Ensemble | ||
| 8:00 - 8:40am | The Khusid Ensemble | ||
| Lunch | 12:55pm | French Horn Ensemble, Flute Choir, Lunchtime Concert, Oboe Ensemble, Senior Jazz Combo I, Senior Jazz Combo 2 | |
| After School | 3:00pm - 4:15pm | Segovia Guitar Ensemble | |
| Thursday | Before School | 7:30am - 8:30am | Zephyr Winds |
| 7:45am - 8:30am | Percussion Ensemble 5 | ||
| Lunch | 12:55pm | Aguado Guitar Ensemble, Bassoon Ensemble, Grammar Rock Senior, Junior Brass Ensemble 1, Percussion Ensemble 1, Jazz Combo Thursday Lunch 1, Jazz Combo Thursday Lunch 2 | |
| 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Concertante, Sheldon Strings, Stringendo, Ventus Ensemble | ||
| Friday | Before School | 7:30am | Wind Ensemble, Stanley Street Big Band Friday |
| Lunch | 1:00pm - 1:40pm | Croonivores Rehearsal 2, Junior Brass Ensemble 2, Saxophone Ensemble, Saxophony, Sor Guitar Ensemble |
Lessons
1. INSTRUMENTS OFFERED
We offer tuition in the following:
| String Department | Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (steel string), Electric Guitar, Electric Bass Guitar |
|---|---|
| Woodwind Department | Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone |
| Brass Department | French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba |
| Percussion Department | Percussion (Orchestral), Drum Kit |
| Vocal Department | Singing (classical, musical theatre) |
| Keyboard Department | Piano (Classical/For Leisure), Jazz Piano, Pipe Organ, Harpsichord |
For a list of instruments offered, please refer to the list on the Application Form (previous page). Please note that enrolment in some instruments is subject to the fulfilment of prerequisite standards, and that places are limited in piano, saxophone, drum kit and guitar. Details are on the lesson application sheet. Musicianship classes (Grades 2 to 6 only) are offered principally for boys who are advanced instrumentalists sitting AMEB examinations. The AMEB sets Musicianship as a prerequisite for some practical examinations.
2. INSTRUMENT HIRE
The School possesses a limited number of some of the above instruments available for hire for a period of one year. This gives the boys an opportunity to test their skill and interest, and delays the purchase of an instrument. However, after this period, parents are expected to buy an instrument (the more expensive instruments are usually excepted).
3. TIMETABLE
Lessons are given during the day on a system of rotation, whereby any one subject is generally not missed more than twice in a term, thus virtually eliminating any adverse effect on the school work. One lesson per week is given throughout the school year so that, even allowing for interruptions for examinations, excursions etc., boys will receive thirty lessons during the year. If time allows, extra instrumental lessons in excess of the standard thirty per year will be given and these lessons will be charged for on a pro rata basis. Priority for out of school hours lessons is given to Forms V and VI boys, and boys learning two or more instruments at the School
4. PROGRESS AND ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION
Lessons will be continued only if a boy makes satisfactory progress, and this will be achieved by regular practice. When a boy has reached a satisfactory standard, he is expected to take part in a group activity appropriate to his ability—in most cases, a band, orchestra or choir. All boys learning piano will participate in either the choral programme or in an additional keyboard class. Such participation is mandatory for boys in Forms I to IV who learn an instrument at the School, but is not compulsory thereafter except for boys in Elective Music. The rehearsal schedule is published on the School’s webpage at: Ensembles and rehearsal schedules
5. FEES
(Provisional per November 2024)
| Instrumental Lessons (40 minutes) | $3,425.40 (for 30 lessons) (incl $7.00 for the Record Book) |
|---|---|
| Extra Instrumental Lessons(in excess of the standard 30 per year) | $114.18 per lesson |
| Instrument Hire | $265.00 per year |
| Musicianship Group Lessons | $250.00 for the course and textbook |
Please feel free to telephone me on 9332 5886 or email to rjw@sydgram.nsw.edu.au if you wish to discuss any of the above or if you have any queries at all.
Application For Instrumental Music Lessons 2025
Robert Wagner
Head of Instrumental Music
Musicianship
Musicianship classes at College Street are offered in Grades 2-6.
Private Musicianship lessons are available at all levels and may be relevant to boys wishing to study Grades 5 and 6 in conjunction with AMus and LMus examinations.
Musicianship is offered principally for boys who are advanced instrumentalists doing AMEB exams. The AMEB sets Musicianship as a prerequisite for practical examinations as follows:
| Practical Guide | Prerequisite Level and Course offered at Grammar |
|---|---|
| Sixth Grade | Pass Second |
| Seventh Grade | Pass Third |
| Eighth Grade | Pass Fourth |
| AMusA | Pass Fifth |
| LMusA | Pass Sixth |
It is therefore expected that advanced instrumentalists undertaking AMEB exams will study Musicianship in the Preps and/or be able to demonstrate a level of knowledge equivalent to that of Grade 1 Musicianship if wishing to enrol in Grade 2.
Music Colours
The award of Colours is an achievement of outstanding merit and an acknowledgement of extensive commitment to the music programme in the senior years at Sydney Grammar School. The music activity being recognised must be relevant to School activities.
Form VI would be awarded in Term III of the Form VI year. Form IV and V are awarded at the end of the academic year. Colours in Music would appear on the blazer in a single line for the year (s) awarded: e.g. Music Half Colours 2021.
Colours awards are given to participants in Music according to the criteria set out below.
Colours
- This award is only open to boys in Form VI if they have met the award criteria.
Half Colours with Merit
- This award is only open to boys in Form V if they have met the award criteria.
Half Colours
- This award is only open to boys in Form IV if they have met the award criteria.
Music award criteria (Forms IV to VI)
- For membership and attendance in four or more regularly rehearsing master led ensembles or music activities for the full calendar year, as published by the Director of Music.
List A
- School Orchestra
- Big Band
- Wind Ensemble
- School Choir
- Segovia
- Senior Rock
List B
The Director of Music will post this list of ensembles and other Music activities on the Music noticeboard. This list will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Director of Music.
Recommendations for awards are made by a Colours Committee of three experienced masters, chaired by the Deputy Headmaster (Co-curricular). Nominations are made to the Committee by the Director of Music.
The Headmaster makes the final determination and reserves the right to grant or withhold awards on exceptional grounds as he sees fit regardless of the published criteria which may also be altered at any time without notice.
Music Association
For over forty years, the Music Association has supported practical music in all its forms at the School.
Performances such as the Scholars’ Concert, the Term Concerts, Form V Competition Finals Concert, the HSC Recital, and the Chamber Music Concert are a wonderful inspiration to the younger boys, and always provide engagement and stimulation for parents as well.
All money raised is used to help the Music Department to buy items needed or to help provide music tuition for boys when required. Concert tours, scholarships and prizes for boys are areas that receive great support from the Music Association. In recent years, the Music Association has contributed to the purchase of the School’s harpsichord, the new Bösendorfer grand piano in Big School and they sponsored the 2005 and the 2009 Opera House Concerts. The Association recently contributed to the funds to purchase the Steinway Model D concert grand piano for the John Vallance Hall.
Please join the Music Association. Complete the form below and select your payment option. An exclusive offer of $150 Family Membership is valid for the entire duration of your son/s’ term at College Street. Membership entitles ALL members of the family, including brothers and sisters, to attend all Music Association concerts. Please note that a nominal charge may apply for admission to other School concerts.
For any additional enquiries about the Music Association, please email musicassociation.sgs@gmail.com
