Term Two is upon us, and it is an exciting one!

Already two weeks into the term, the sound of music has boomed right through our doors. Lessons have resumed and ensemble rehearsals have started again. Next week will mark an incredible start to the history of St Bernard’s College. Not only will Super Seven’s begin next Wednesday morning, but the SBC Drumline will have their very first rehearsal on Wednesday 3^rd of May at 7:30am. If your son is interested in joining one of the college ensembles or would like to have lessons, they are highly encouraged to meet and speak with one of the staff members in the music department.

Students are highly encouraged to be a part of one of the college ensembles if they are having music lessons. Joining an ensemble is a wonderful experience that allows your son to develop not only new friendships but challenge their own musical skills. Also, there are a number of performance opportunities your son is welcome to participate in; including all year ACC Music events, the Music Soiree Performance Evening and a collaborative concert with St Columba’s College later this term. It is also highly encouraged that if a student is also interested in joining an ensemble but are not currently undertaking lessons, to register, so they can study their ensemble music more carefully with one of the private instrumental teachers.

Trybooking is still open for you to enroll or re-enroll your son into private instrumental lessons for term 2, and will close on the 12^th of May. If you would like to enroll/re-enroll your son into music lessons, please click on the link, https://www.trybooking.com/CGOPK. If you have any questions regarding private instrumental lessons, please contact the Music Administrator, Michelle Puglisi at MPuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au.

There are a number of instrument lessons offered at St Bernard’s College, including:

Piano and Voice

Brass

• Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium

Woodwind

• Flute, Clarinet, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophone

Percussion

• Drumkit and pitched percussion

In addition to this, St Bernard’s College offers a variety of lesson options, including:

• Year 7 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)
• Year 8 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)
• Year 9 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)
• Year 10 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)
• Year 11 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)
• Year 12 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)

Please note that if there is no other student to pair lessons with, 15-minute weekly lessons or 30-minute fortnightly lessons will be offered for your son instead. This arrangement can be discussed with your son and his tutor.

Term Two is prepping up to be fantastic music experience. Already, the College Symphonic Band has performed in front of the entire school community for the ANZAC Day Ceremony on Friday 28^th of April, and a few VCE Music students played a live performance at the Melbourne State Library for the SBC Induction into the Hall of Fame Gala Evening. Next week, the VCE Music class will also perform live for the Edmund Rice Day celebration on the ovals. It is going to be an incredible performance.

There are a number of major music performances and events coming up this term:

More details regarding each of the college events will be addressed in the coming weeks.

Finally, Friends of Music will be starting on May 9^th. Friends of Music is a wonderful opportunity for parents and members of the St Bernard’s Community to get involved in the music program, and with that contribute to creating as many opportunities as possible for all the young men involved. Looking ahead, it is our hope to raise money for not only a more diverse collection of instruments, but for a national and international trip within the next few years. If you would like to join Friends of Music, please email the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo at JRomeo@sbc.vic.edu.au.

Joshua Romeo

Head of Music