Music
Music
at Joeys.
From its foundation, St Joseph’s College has been committed to ensuring music is an essential part of a boys educational journey. We believe that in order to participate fully in the cultural life it is essential for every student to be provided the opportunity to develop confidence through music.
St Joseph’s has excellent music facilities to support the progress of boys. The Brother Louis Music Centre has 43 practise studios, a music computer classroom and two large ensemble rehearsal rooms. Distributed throughout the studios students have access to 17 pianos, 12 drum kits, and tuned percussion.
Each year many of our students, in excess of 350, learn an instrument. There are 24 ensembles that cater to all levels of student ability, and all styles of music. These ensembles enrich student experience, drive faith formation, offer leadership opporuntites, and sustain our diverse leaning environment. The Music Centre is open from 7.00am to 8.30 pm each weekday for its various activities and programmed individual practise sessions. The Centre has day and night time supervisors who monitor student activity.
St Joseph’s has a proud tradition of singing and all boys are expected to participate wholehertedly in this. There is opportunity for boys to develop their individaul voice, be part of contemporary and liturgical choirs. Whole-school singing is a hallmark of our deep spiritual and community focused values.
It is mandatory for all students in Year 7 to learn an instrument at the College, and tuition is offered in 25 different instruments. Students entering the College in Year 7 are allocated an instrument after testing and evaluation by a member of the Music staff. There are 22 part-time instrument tutors and four full-time teachers who bring collective expertise to support boys development.
It is possible for boys to study more than one instrument through the Music Centre. The majority of individual tuition is schedule throughout the school day with the timetable of lessons working through a rotational system. Before school and after school lessons are predominantly reserved for Senior boys.
Musical productions are a flagship component of the College. Led by the Music and Drama faculties recent showcases have included Burramatta Songlines, Pippin, Strictly Ballroom, The Wedding Singer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hairspray, and Shout!.
In recent years students have also taken part in overseas performing arts tours to Europe, the United States and New Zealand.
For more information in relation to the College’s music program please contact music@joeys.org.
Music options
Instrumental Tuition Program
Students are given scheduled times for instrumental lessons and for individual practise. Students are expected to practise for a minimum of 25 minutes, five times a week. Day students departing the College at 5.00pm are expected to practise at home. Tuition is available to students on the following instruments:
STRINGS:
Cello
Double Bass
Viola
Violin
WOODWIND
Alto Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bassoon
Bass Clarinet
Clarinet
Flute
Oboe
Tenor Saxophone
BRASS:
Euphonium
French Horn
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
OTHER:
Acoustic Guitar
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar
Music Theory
Percussion
Piano
Pipe Organ
Voice
Note:
percussion students must study both tuned and untuned percussion instruments. Students purchase sheet music, musical supplies, tuition books and accessories from the Music Department.
Instrument Hire
Students in Year 7 and those who continue with lessons in Year 8, are required to maintain enrolment in tuition for the duration of the year. Students in Years 9 to 12, who are not part of curriculum Music and who wish to discontinue lessons must notify music@joeys.org prior to the end of the term they will be finishing lessons.
External Music Examinations
To affirm musical progress, students are encouraged to complete external music exams in either practical performance, musicianship or theory of music. The College enrols capable students in examinations run by Trinity College London (TCL) or by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). St Joseph’s has been a Top 10 school with AMEB in 2021 and 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Music Ensemble Program
Music students are placed in ensembles that cater to their instrument, ability level and experience.
There are currently 25 ensembles at the College:
• Big Band (Y7-12)
• Brass Advancement Group (Y8-12)
• Brass Ensemble (Y7-12)
• Cello Ensemble (Y7-12)
• Chamber Strings (Y7-12)
• Chapel Choir ( Y7-12)
• College Choir (Y7-12)
• Concert Band (Y7)
• ELO String Ensemble (Y7-10)
• Emmanuel Guitar (Y7)
• Hendrix Guitar (Y7)
• Jazz Improvisation Ensemble (Y8-12)
• Kondo Percussion (Y7)
• Piano Masterclass (Y7)
• Rock Band (Y7 , Y8, Y9, Y10, Y11)
• Rodrigues Guitar (Y8-11)
• Sor Guitar Ensemble (Y7)
• Stage Band (Y7-10)
• Strings (Y7)
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Y7-12)
• Wind Ensemble (Y7-10)
• Zappa Percussion (Y7)
Plus Liturgy ensembles for all College Masses.
Performance opportunities are provided for our students and ensembles. Formal concerts are organised to showcase the current learning and progress of the students. These are:
Term 1:Scholars Soiree
Year 10 Music Concert Evening
Term 2:
Year 9 Music Concert EveningSt Joseph’s College Musical (biennial)
Grandparents Day Concert (Y7)
Music Gala Evening
Term 3:
HSC Music Showcase
St Joseph’s College Solo Recital (Y11 and Scholars)
Joey’s Jazz Club
Term 4:
Years 7 and 8 Music Concert Evening
All Ensembles Evening
Battle of the Bands (Spring Fair)
The Music Department also provides music and entertainment for various community events, student art exhibition, P&F functions (e.g. Spring Fair, Old Boys’ dinner, Ladies Auxiliary dinner), year group dinners, Headmaster’s Assemblies and various community performances (e.g. Hunters Hill Council functions, ANZAC ceremonies, nursing homes). Quality liturgical music by various ensembles is provided at each mid-week and weekend Mass in addition to Family Masses. The College’s annual Spring Fair, Battle of the Bands competition, workshops, annual Collaroy music camp, band festivals, eisteddfods and special projects provide performance participation opportunities for students.
St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill admissions@joeys.org 02 9816 0806
Engaging boys in a range of experiences to develop their talents, instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for music.
Music Centre
For more information in relation to the College’s music program please contact
Music Selections
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