Instrumental Music Program 2024
So much more than just Music Lessons
Gisborne Secondary College gives students a range of musical experiences that focus on student participation in a variety of ensembles and weekly lessons. The program operates from the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) which includes the Barcham Theatre, a rehearsal room, three practice rooms, two classrooms and a dance/drama studio.
Activities that students can participate in include a major instrumental music showcase, lunchtime concerts, and smaller soirees. Students can learn a range of instruments including voice, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, violin, cello, piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drums.
Some instruments are more popular, in some cases; the number of students applying may be higher than the places available. For this reason, students may be placed on a waiting list if not already allocated a place. Alternatively, students are encouraged to trial their second or third preference instrument. Instrumental tutors will invite the interested students on the waiting list for a trial lesson as these places become available. Please do not pay for lessons until you receive a written confirmation of lesson allocation. Payment is then expected within 2 weeks of lesson commencement.
Fees (per semester):
Individual lessons $300 for 30 minutes (preferred)
Group lesson $200 for 30 minutes
Instrument Hire $150
New students to the program may have one demonstration lesson with the instrumental tutor. After this, students commit to a full semester of lessons, with fees payable upfront or over four instalments. The first repayment is due within the first four weeks of the first term of lessons (i.e. Term 1 Week 4). The remainder of the fee is due by the end of the first term of lessons (i.e. Term 1 Week 10).
Ensemble participation
Ensembles take place at various time in the Performing Arts Centre. The purpose of the ensemble program is for students to develop a range of performing skills in a group setting as well as gain confidence and make new friends.
- Production Band
- Vocal Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Junior Band
- Senior Band
Participation is highly recommended and encouraged. It is an expectation that once a student commits to an ensemble they attend rehearsals as regularly as possible. Instrumental tutors will advise students of their ensemble placement and check attendance regularly.
Lesson Times
Lessons are timetabled on a rotating basis during class time. Lessons are normally for half a period. This means that students do not miss the same subject more than once. Tutors communicate lesson times over TEAMS and XUNO, and are available to chat on the TEAMS platform.
Instrumental Music tutors are not expected to find students, and students who regularly miss lessons may be asked to discontinue in the program to make room for students on the waiting list.
Missed Lessons
Students who miss lessons due to a College Event, Camp, illness or tutor’s illness will have their lessons credited. Students present at school who fail to attend their lessons will not be credited. It is the responsibility of the student to be punctual and organised. It is at the tutors’ discretion to make up lessons.
Concerts/Excursions
During the year, a number of performances will be organised both during school time and evenings. If a student cannot attend, we ask to be informed as soon as possible. Families will be notified of performance dates as soon as they are arranged via email and newsletters.
Other Costs
Most instruments will require consumables (reeds, strings, oil, drumsticks, plectrums etc.). The instrumental tutor will advise. These items will be available for purchase at the college. Prices vary from $1 – $20 depending on the item. Alternatively, you can purchase them from a music store. Tutors may advise students to purchase various books and sheet music. In most cases these will be available at the college and may cost between $20 and $35.
Music exams
All students will be encouraged to enter for AMEB or ANZCA exams in Music Performance or Music Theory/ Musicianship. The instrumental music tutor will advise further details such as costs, dates and other requirements.
Please contact the College if you have any questions.
Kitty Skeen
Instrumental Music Coordinator / Classroom Music Teacher / Vocal Tutor
kitty.skeen@education.vic.gov.au
2024 Tutors
| Ash Griffin – Guitar and Bass (Acoustic and Electric) | |
| Gordon Graham – Drums and Percussion | |
| Dana Schulz – Piano | |
| Kitty Skeen – Voice | Kitty Skeen began her musical journey in Bendigo, where she learned clarinet and oboe at high school. She was a member of a number of local theatre groups, choirs, orchestras and bands, appearing as vocal soloist with the Bendigo Youth Choir and the Bendigo Combined Schools Concert Band. Kitty took her early love of music forward at university, completing a Bachelor of Music, a Graduate Diploma of Arts (English Literature) and a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne. Kitty has sung as a chorister and soloist with The Melbourne University Choir, The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, The Queensland Choir, and The Gisborne Singers, and arranges music and sings with a small female vocal ensemble ‘Coterie’. She has held the position of president of the Gisborne Singers for four years. She also continues to play oboe with the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra and the Macedon Ranges Chamber Orchestra. Kitty loves working with young people, and has taught secondary school music since 2003. She has also worked with pre-schoolers teaching the Mini Maestros program in Bendigo and the Macedon Ranges. She has a genuine love of musical theatre, and thoroughly enjoys being involved with the school production at GSC which gives her students a chance to shine. |
| Cassandra Ivin – Woodwind, Strings and Piano | |
| Joanne Jesser – Woodwind | Joanne Jesser is an experienced teacher of both classroom and instrumental music. She has taught music at a number of schools in the Macedon Ranges including Braemar College, Riddells Creek Primary School and New Gisborne Primary School. Joanne completed her Bachelor of Music at Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music with major studies in clarinet with Mr Ian Morgan (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra). She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Education at Victoria University making her qualified to teach music from Prep to Year 12. Joanne currently teaches the clarinet, saxophone and flute at Sunbury College and Gisborne Secondary College. Joanne has a great love of music and genuinely enjoys introducing students to be pleasure of musical appreciation and performance. She has designed, revised and implemented VCE Solo Performance programs for Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone with great success. Many of her students have gone on to complete Australian Music Examination Exams and have been offered scholarships to attend events such as the Melbourne Youth Music Summer School Program. Joanne has played in a number of local clarinet and saxophone ensembles including the ‘Licorice Allsorts’. Concerts include fundraiser events and performances for the Victorian Clarinet and Saxophone Society. Joanne has also been invited to perform with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and Ballarat Choral Society on a number of occasions. |
