Music Ensembles
Ensembles build confidence, belonging and mastery, fostering self-discipline and teamwork while empowering students to perform with passion as part of something greater.
There are several ensembles on offer at Thomas Hassall that span a wide range of genres.
Each ensemble is assisted by professional tutors who assist students with instrumental technique. There is a fee of $425 for the year to be part of a band ensemble, this fee will cover students for one or multiple ensembles they are involved in. For choir ensembles the fee is $250 for the year.
All of our ensembles perform at College events and external public events throughout the year. Students that participate in an ensemble should aim for a minimum of 20 minutes of practice 5 times a week in order to gain the most benefit from participating in an ensemble.
Why be part of an ensemble?
Ensembles help students to develop self-confidence because they are given an avenue to play masterfully as part of a bigger whole and also an improved socio-emotional well-being as it develops a sense of belonging. Ensembles also help to hone students self discipline and self organisation.
Being part of an ensemble enables students to see why perfecting their part matters in the greater scheme of things – a trait that inevitably comes into play in their professional life later on and they learn how to be in sync with others around them and develop an awareness of what is going on around them. Their nonverbal communication skills are honed as they tune in to the rest of the group, playing their parts accordingly, all the while maintaining focus on the conductor who brings everything and everyone together.
Becoming a team player is something that they will learn in an ensemble – an important skill that can be to their advantage in any and all aspects of life.
SENIOR ENSEMBLES
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). Students perform with experienced professional musicians during rehearsals and run sectionals at the beginning of rehearsals This ensemble also participates in several eisteddfods and competitions. In 2022, they achieved third place in the NSW State Band Championships.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 3pm - 4:20pm
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 also 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.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 4:40pm - 6:00pm
SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE
This group features more advanced string players at the College. Instruments accepted are violin, viola, cello and double bass. The Senior String Ensemble regularly performs at College events and assemblies.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 2:45pm - 3:45pm
SENIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE
The Guitar Ensemble is an acoustic guitar group that plays pop and rock songs. The group builds on skills such as playing harmonies, melodies and chord patterns.
Rehearsals are on Thursdays at lunchtime.
SENIOR 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.
Rehearsals are on Mondays at lunchtime
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.
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays lunchtime
SENIOR VOCAL GROUP
Senior Vocal Group is an auditioned group of secondary vocalists from Years 7-12. Rehearsals take place every Monday afternoon, after College. Students in this group sing a range of challenging and pop 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.
Rehearsals are on Mondays from 2:45pm - 3:45pm
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.
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 2:45pm - 4:15pm
INTERMEDIATE STAGE BAND
Featuring advanced players from the Intermediate Concert Band, this groups performs a range of funk/blues/jazz and vocal classics. Included in the ensemble are Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones and rhythm section.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 2:45pm - 4:15pm
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.
Rehearsals are on Mondays from 2:45pm - 3:30pm
JUNIOR ENSEMBLES
JUNIOR STRING ORCHESTRA
Instruments included are violin, viola, cello and double bass. The Orchestra is under the experienced direction of strings specialist Mr Ehab Ibrahim and the group performs regularly at various College events and in the wider community.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:45am - 8:45am
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.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday lunchtimes
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. The band is comprised of a variety of instruments and the focus is on students having an outlet to practice their performance and ensemble skills.
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7:30am - 8:45am
YEAR 4 CONCERT BAND
Every student in year 4 is given the opportunity to perform in a concert band and receive lessons as part of their school fees. 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 DRUM CIRCLE
This 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, and learn how to work as a team, and have fun!
Rehearsals are on Tuesday lunchtimes.
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.
Rehearsals take place every Monday afternoon 2:45pm - 3:45pm
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
The Junior 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.
Rehearsals are on Mondays from 2:45pm - 3:30pm
Ensemble Application Form
Choir Application Form
