All students at Frayne, from Kindergarten through Year 6, are provided with an education in music, experiencing the elements of music on a regular basis by a Kodaly/Orff trained Music Specialist.

Preparatory School (Kindy – Year 2)

Preparatory School students learn to sing, use movement in music, clap, say and play rhythmic patterns, and play high and low sounds on instruments and with their voices. They also learn to differentiate between loud and soft sound whilst they sing and play on untuned instruments.

Students incorporate learned music knowledge as well as simple dance and movement into our end of year production, the Preparatory School Christmas Concert.

Junior School (Years 3 – 6)

Following on from their Preparatory School music education, Junior School students are further equipped to read and notate music at various levels. Students also compose and perform in groups by singing and playing on xylophones, which are then accompanied by other untuned percussion instruments.

Students from every Junior School year level also perform two songs as part of the year end celebration.

All students at Frayne, from Years 4–6, have the opportunity to participate in one or more of our award-winning music ensembles we facilitate at our Balmoral Campus.

Singing

Ursula Frayne has a strong singing culture, which is evident on the Balmoral Campus through our Junior Chorale. The Chorale is actively involved with the College Liturgy and Mass program throughout the year, as well as participating in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and other College events.

Junior Chorale

The Junior Chorale is an auditioned choir for students in Years 4-6. This is a highly selective program, as each year more than 120 students audition for selection. There are two rehearsals conducted weekly before school; a 30-minute sectional and a 40-minute combined rehearsal.

Junior Chorale is the College showpiece for our Balmoral Campus and is always in demand to perform. They are provided with many opportunities throughout the year with performances at the Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools & Colleges, our Highly Strung and Sung event and the Junior School Celebration Under the Stars.

The choir also performs in various school and local community events such as the College Open Day, Frayne Day and VisAbility.

Instrumental

With a wide range of musical instrument instruction available at Ursula Frayne, parents can avail themselves of this extensive program by paying additional fees for their child to take instrumental lessons on a rotational basis during the school day, which are delivered by our peripatetic music tutors.

Sound Beginnings Course (Years 3-6)

SBC (Training Band & Strings) is an opportunity for students in Years 3-6, who are beginning to learn on a band or stringed instrument, to study the fundamentals of being a musician in a band or string ensemble.

Students who are just starting out on their instruments and elect to do this course are able to access grouped lessons, either in threes or pairs. Individual lessons are also available (differing Terms & Conditions and fee rates apply, depending on the class option chosen).

To avoid disappointment with lesson options it can help to convince a friend or two to learn to play the same instrument and join in with you.

Junior Band

Upon graduation from the SBC, students who elect to continue in band studies can join the Junior Band. Junior Band is for students in Years 4-6 who are studying a band instrument.

Participation in the Junior Band further develops fundamental skills learned in the Sound Beginnings Course, whilst also preparing appropriate graded repertoire for performance.

The Junior Band rehearses one morning a week from 7.30–8.30am and performs for the Balmoral Campus Open Day, Assembly’s, the Learning Journey, at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and at other College performance opportunities.

Junior Strings

Upon graduation from the SBC, students who elect to continue in string studies join the Junior String Ensemble.  Junior String Ensemble is for students in Years 4-6 who are studying a stringed instrument.

Junior Strings further develops fundamental skills learned in the Sound Beginnings Course whilst preparing appropriate graded repertoire for performance.

Junior Strings rehearses one morning a week from 7.30–8.30am and performs in the Highly Strung & Sung concert, at Assembly’s, at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and at other College performance opportunities.

Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone and Brass Ensembles

These ensembles come together for a 30-minute rehearsal at the discretion of their instrumental tutor, usually only once a week at a mutually agreeable time throughout Term Two & Term Three only.

Percussion Ensemble

Junior Percussion ensemble comes together for a 30-minute rehearsal at the discretion of their instrumental tutor usually only once a week at a mutually agreeable time throughout the entire year.

Year 7 

All students in Year 7 experience music education, which focuses on the elements of music, as a term “taster” unit.

Students have the opportunity to engage in making and responding to tasks, where they apply their music knowledge through performing, composing and listening to music.

Year 8 and 9 

Music is a creative and practical course that provides students with opportunities to listen and analyse, improvise, perform and compose music throughout a Semester long course.

Students continue their acquisition of skills and understanding through a range of activities. They experience a variety of music styles, discovering the integral role that music plays in shaping and reflecting society. Learning and creating is supported by different music technologies, providing an insight into how music is produced and communicated.

All ensembles are open to all students who attend the College. Instrumental Ensembles require the student to be studying the instrument they wish to play in the ensemble. This instrument may be studied through the College Instrumental Lesson Program or privately.

Frayne Music opportunities – Digital Handbook

Singing

Youth Chorale

This choir is open to all students Year 7-8, no experience is necessary, just a love for singing.

College Choir

This choir is open to all students Year 9-12 who audition; most students are experienced singers and are usually having vocal lessons.

All our choirs perform throughout the year at various College and community events including Liturgy’s and Masses, Highly Strung and Sung event and the Catholic Performing Arts Festival.

Instrumental 

Sound Explorers

The Sound Explorers provides an opportunity for students just starting out on an orchestral instrument to learn the fundamentals of being a musician in a music ensemble.

Sound Explorers rehearses once a week and focuses on preparing students for advancement into a more musically demanding group.

Concert Band II

Students who play a band instrument will move into Concert Band II after completing Sound Explorers.   Concert Band II is a natural stepping-stone in the pathway to Concert Band I, where students further develop ensemble-playing skills with a heightened awareness of their surrounds. Listening skills are honed along with continued advancement in their instrumental playing skills.

Concert Band I

On invitation students move from Concert Band II into our premiere College ensemble, Concert Band I.   Students are challenged with advanced band repertoire further refining their instrumental and ensemble skills culminating in an extremely rewarding experience.

Concert Band I, being our premier band, only accepts our very committed student musicians, as it requires a high level of discipline and determination, weekly attendance to rehearsals is mandatory to remain a member of this band.

Concert Bands I and II both rehearse twice a week; one rehearsal is from 3.30–5.00pm once a week and the other is; Concert Band II – one 1-hour rehearsal a week and Concert Band I – 1-hour group rehearsal one morning a week 7.20-8.20am.

Duncan Strings

Students who play a stringed instrument will move into the Duncan Strings after completing Sound Explorers.

Duncan Strings is for students Year 7-12 who are studying a stringed instrument.

Duncan Strings rehearse one morning a week from 7.20 – 8.20am and performs in the Highly Strung & Sung concert, Mother’s Day Morning Tea, at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and at other performance opportunities around the College.

Rock Band

Selected students meet one afternoon a week for 60-minutes to work on contemporary music.

Contemporary Guitar Ensemble

Selected students meet one afternoon a week for 60-minutes to work on contemporary music.

Singing 

Liturgy Chorus

Open to students Year 9–12 generally more experienced vocalist and usually having vocal lessons.

This choir prepares music for College Liturgies and Masses as well as for performance in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival.

This choir rehearses once a week for 30-minutes.

Instrumental 

Jazz Band

Open to students Year 7–12 generally the more experienced instrumentalist.

Students must be in one other College authorized ensemble, for most this is Concert Band, to participate in Jazz Band.

This Jazz Band is a very hard working and busy band requiring a huge demand on students time therefore only the very committed students are accepted into this band.

Performances are scheduled throughout the entire year including at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival.

Jazz Band rehearses one afternoon a week 3.30 – 5pm.

Frayne Jive

Jazz Combo is generally for students Year 11-12; other year group students may be invited to complete required instrumentation.

This band rehearses once a week for 30-minutes at a recess or lunchtime, which ever is mutually convenient.

Chamber Groups

Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone and Brass Ensembles

These ensembles are for all students who play the respective instrument of the ensemble they’re in.

Contemporary Liturgical Band

Selected students meet once a week for 30-minutes to work on contemporary Christian music for the sole purpose of playing for Liturgy’s and Mass.

Percussion Ensemble

This ensemble is for all students who are studying the drum kit and/or percussion.

These ensembles rehearse once a week for 30-minutes before school or at a recess or lunchtime, whichever is mutually convenient.

Matthew Hall – The Arts Learning Area Coordinator

Ashley Baker – Coordinator Instrumental and Choral Program

Christian Tang – Music Specialist/ Choral Director (Balmoral Street Campus)

Erin Bussanich – Director of Choirs (Duncan Street Campus)

Most music tutors teach across both Campuses.

Keenan Levis – Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Connor Siekman – Clarinet, Oboe and Bassoon

Sarah Chung – Piano

Vanitha Hart – Baritone Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba

Francis Fong – Piano, Violin and Viola

Augustine Kaung-Htet – Saxophone (Duncan Street Campus)

Annalisa Powell – Flute

Erin Bussanich – Voice

Rachel Ossebaar – Piano and Saxophone (Balmoral Street Campus)

Thomas Selim – Drum Kit and Concert Percussion

James Chong – Drum Kit and Concert Percussion (Duncan Street Campus)

Kateryna Melnichenko – Violin and Viola

Leah Van der Meulen – Beginner Cello, Double Bass and Bass Guitar

Milly McAuliffe – Kinder Horn and French Horn

Hamish Mc’Camley – Trumpet

John Pound – Piano (Balmoral Street Campus) and Organ (Duncan Street Campus)