Music Academy
We challenge them to look beyond existing boundaries, capture a vision and to make a difference in the world.
Program Overview
Thomas Hassall Anglican College is proud to offer an extensive Music Academy Program to all students. We partner with you to educate, nurture and develop your child so that they might reach their full potential.
We encourage our students to get involved in these opportunities, whether in music, sport, debating or the Duke of Edinburgh program, so that they may excel in their learning and growth.
We look forward to partnering with you on your child’s journey.
LESSONS
We offer a wide variety of musical activities within the College. Students are also encouraged to participate in additional musical activities and lessons to complement their musical journey. Additional lessons are available for: Voice, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Cello, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Piano/Keyboard.
Book in to these lessons using the form below.
ENSEMBLES
Thomas Hassall Anglican College supports a flourishing extra-curricular Performing Arts program spanning all ages, and offers a range of ensembles.
Students regularly perform at school assemblies and College events, as well as community initiatives and both National and International Tours.
Bands, Ensembles and Choirs
SENIOR CONCERT BAND
The Senior Concert Band involves students from Years 7-12, performing repertoire ranging from Broadway and Musical Classics, Classical Music and Symphonic Wind arrangements. Instruments used in the Concert Band include flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, tubas, baritone horns, euphonium, drums, string bass, oboe, percussion (including Timpani). This ensemble also participates in several eisteddfods and competitions. In 2022, they achieved third place in the NSW State Band Championships.
SENIOR STAGE BAND
This is the College’s premier ensemble, featuring our most experienced musicians, performing a range of funk/blues/jazz and vocal classics. Included in the ensemble are Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones and rhythm section. Students wishing to join the Senior Stage Band must be involved in the Senior Concert Band. The Senior Stage Band have performed at the Manly Jazz Festival in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. They also participated in the James Morrison Generations in Jazz Festival in 2019 and 2022, and achieved third place in 2022 in the Small Jazz Combo section. The Senior Stage Band collaborate together to compose their own music and write pop/funk songs. They reached the finals in the 2022 National Song Writing Competition for their pop composition for rhythm section, horns and vocals.
INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND
This ensemble is designed for beginning and intermediate concert band musicians, with instrumentation similar to the Senior Concert Band. The level of repertoire is simpler, with the intention to introduce students to the demands of performing in a large-scale ensemble. Students have experienced professional musicians perform alongside them to mentor a professional tone during rehearsals, and run sectionals throughout the sessions too.
INTERMEDIATE STAGE BAND
Featuring advanced players from the Intermediate Concert Band, this group performs a range of funk/blues/jazz and vocal classics. Included in the ensemble are Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones and rhythm section.
YEAR 4 CONCERT BAND
Every student in Year 4 is given the opportunity to learn a band instrument, receive tutoring and perform in a concert band as part of the Year 4 curriculum. The students undergo important aural and instrument testing in Year 3 to help determine the instrument best suited to them to play and perform on. Students from this program often join College ensembles to further their opportunities.
JUNIOR STRING ORCHESTRA
Instruments included are violin, viola, cello and double bass. The Orchestra is under the experienced direction of Mr Ehab Ibrahim and the group performs regularly at various College events and in the wider community.
SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE
This group features more advanced string players at the College. The group performs classical pieces, movie themes and folk tunes. Instruments accepted are violin, viola, cello and double bass. The Senior String Ensemble regularly performs at College events and assemblies.
CHAPEL BAND
The Chapel Band performs contemporary Christian Music at various College events and local youth groups. They regularly play at the College chapel services and end of year celebration events.
JUNIOR CHAPEL BAND
Junior Chapel band is an auditioned group of students that performs contemporary Christian Music at various College events. They regularly play at the Junior College chapel services and end of year celebration events.
JUNIOR CONCERT BAND
The Junior Concert Band involves students from Year 4-6. These are beginning musicians who have the opportunity to practice their skills and perform together as they shape their early musical development. Most of the students in this ensemble are students who have enjoyed the Year 4 Band Program and decided to continue their music journey through participation in this ensemble. The band is comprised of a variety of instruments and performs at College events and assemblies, as well as community events including The Camden Show.
DRUM CIRCLES
There is a Junior and a Senior drum-circle. These groups use African drums called ‘djembes’ and bass drums called ‘dun-duns’, as well as congas and bongos, to perform traditional African rhythms. Students study various accompanying rhythms and solo phrases, as well as working on group compositions. This is a great way to develop fundamental musical knowledge, learn how to work as a team, and have fun! Rehearsals for these groups are during lunchtimes.
SENIOR VOCAL GROUP
Senior Vocal Group is made up of secondary vocalists from Years 7-12. Students in this group sing a range of challenging repertoire incorporating multiple harmony parts and Acapella singing. Senior Vocal Group have the opportunity to sing at various College events and in the wider community.
JUNIOR CHOIR
Junior Choir is a group of junior vocalists from Years 4-6. During rehearsal, Junior Choir are equipped to learn simple and effective vocal techniques in order to sing correctly and in harmony. They sing a range of repertoire including rounds, gospel music, popular music and other forms of choral repertoire suited to their age group. Junior Choir have the opportunity to perform at various College Events and in the wider community.
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
The Saxophone Ensemble is made up of students in Years 5-8 who show great potential and dedication with their saxophone playing. Students audition for this group which focuses on developing their saxophone and small ensemble skills with challenging repertoire, improvisation and opportunities for composition. This ensemble regularly performs at College and community events.
SENIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE
The Guitar Ensemble is a group that gathers weekly to play pop and rock songs. The group builds on skills such as playing harmonies, melodies and chord patterns, as well as learning to improvise.
CREATIVE ARTS EVENINGS
Junior College - The Junior College biannually showcases every student in each year group in a spectacular series of evening concerts. This year the Junior Creative Arts series will be held in Terms 2, 3 and 4.
INTERMEDIATE CLARINET CHOIR
The Clarinet Choir features advanced players from Stage 3 and Stage 4. This group performs a range of folk/classical and jazz pieces. Students have the opportunity to play at various College events and in the wider community.
SONS OF TONALITY
Sons of Tonality is a group of male secondary vocalists from Years 7-12. Rehearsals take place every Tuesday at lunchtime. Students in this group sing a range of challenging pop, movie, sea shanty repertoire incorporating multiple harmony parts and Acapella singing. Sons of Tonality have the opportunity to sing at various College events and in the wider community.
M.A.D.E. FOR STAGE
This is an event hosted every 2 years to showcase the College’s best work in the Arts, including College Music Ensembles, Soloists, Drama, Dance, Visual Art and Photography. The evening is often hosted with delicious food prepared and cooked by our Hospitality students.
MUSICALS
Thomas Hassall Anglican College presents a Musical every two years. These productions include students from Years 4 to 11 involving actors, singers, dancers, stage crew and musicians. Rehearsals take place over two terms with multiple performances being held in April.
Musicals previously produced at College:
- The Little Mermaid (2024)
- Shrek the Musical (2022)
- Peter Pan (2020)
- Leader of the Pack (2018)
- Wizard of Oz (2016)
- Fiddler on the Roof (2014)
- Beauty and the Beast (2012)
- Seussical (2010)
- Oklahoma (2008)
- Joseph (2006)
MUSIC CAMPS
The Creative Arts Department arranges a Music Camp for students every two years, (rotating with the School Musical Productions). Students have the opportunity to have full band rehearsals, sectional workshops, as well as plenty of time to play sports, games, and participate in the famous Talent Contests!
MUSIC TOURS
Every two years, Thomas Hassall students have the opportunity to participate in our band program music tour. Our tours can be overseas or interstate and have proved to be very successful learning experiences with life long memories for the students involved. Recent tours have included:
- Japan Cherry Blossom Tour (2023)
- Adelaide Generations in Jazz (2019)
- Melbourne (2017)
- New Zealand (2015, 2011)
- Queensland (2013)