About Music at Hunter Sports High School
At a glance:
- Kids who study music from an early age can do better at a range of subjects
- Children who play music learn there are rewards from hard work, practice and discipline
- Playing a musical instrument helps develop kids' creative thinking and motor skills
- Music helps kids become more active listeners
- It can also enhance their health and wellbeing and increase their stamina
More benefits for kids who play music:
- Children learn to embrace other cultures through their music
- It develops teamwork and shared goals
- The overall experience of listening to music is dramatically enhanced
- Music can assist active listening, which is beneficial in a range of things from taking part in conversations to building more satisfying friendships
- Children can also explore emotions through music, which may help them better understand who they are
(above information sourced from School A-Z)
Students complete mandatory hours in Year 8. Topics include Concepts of Music, Music in The Media, Music and Technology, and Instruments of the Orchestra. Students gain experience in composing, listening, responding and performing.
Through elective choices students can continue with music education offered in Stage 5 (Years 9 & 10) and as Music 1 in Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12). At Hunter Sports High School we have achieved outstanding results in Music with most students gaining their highest mark in HSC Music 1.
We have designed educational excursions to see the Wicked musical, we have hosted acclaimed artists such as Tjupurru and Loren Nicholson, and we attend the annual HSC Day at Newcastle Conservatorium with our Stage 6 students.
Our students are encouraged and supported to apply for regional events such as Star Struck, Hunter Singers and Hunter Central Coast Wind Ensemble. We also support our students to engage in Youth Rock and Triple J Unearthed.
Locally, we perform at various venues. Bandfest at Warners Bay Performing Arts Centre and local primary schools including Windale, Wiripaang and Mt Hutton, are some of the fantastic concert locations for our band.
Our band is made up of students in Years 7-10. Students are able to join the band with no prior knowledge of how to play an instrument. As part of our band program we are lucky enough to have Mrs Teena Wallace as our band tutor for wind and brass instruments. Students are able to opt for peripatetic lessons and further instrument specific instruction.
The vocal ensemble meet regularly to rehearse a wide range of repertoire and prepare for school assembly items. Students are able to join without audition and can enjoy participating in a range of activities as an ensemble.
We are passionate about music education!
Mrs Hudson and Mrs Ward
"I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning." Plato