Music

Across our two campuses, Waverley College offers a great variety of Choral, Bands and Ensembles for our music students.

Choirs

2018 Music Tour in Chiesa degli Scalzi, Venice

College Choir

The Waverley College Choir rehearse and perform a variety of repertoire under the Direction of Ms Jaz Dolso and Mrs Anne Fahy. Rehearsals are held weekly in the Recital Room of the Performing Arts Centre.

The College Choir is engaged throughout the year to sing at many College events, College liturgies, masses and concerts. Over the last 10 years the Choir has participated in several overseas tours performing in Germany and Italy. Students also have the opportunity to attend a Music Camp and to participate in performances across the wider community.

Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir is a small acapella group of Waverley College and St Clare’s College students who meet once a week to rehearse and perform at assemblies, music festivals and other College events.  The group sings a range of contemporary repertoire.

Concert Bands

Cliff Goodchild Concert Band

This is the premier Concert Band at Waverley College, and students are invited and auditioned for their position.  The Band comprises students ranging from all years at the Senior School.  Students need to be proficient on their instrument and are given the opportunity to learn skills and to contribute to large group performances.  The  band perform for College events and competitions and have toured across Europe, China and the USA.  The Band is under the Direction of Mr Dan Williams.

Matthew Coorey Concert Band

Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students are introduced into the large ensemble program for Senior School students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument including piano. This group allows new and existing students the ability to come together during their first years of Senior School to perform music in a safe, fun and enjoyable learning environment. The Band is under the Direction of Mr Alexander Lee.

Waterford Concert Band

This Band comprises students from Years 5 and 6.  All students who learn an instrument in brass, woodwind and percussion can join this Band.  Rehearsals are held Thursday morning from 7.30am.  The Band covers a range of repertoire and performs at College assemblies, concerts and festivals.

Jazz Band – A

This ensemble builds upon the skills learnt in Jazz Band – B. The students in this group mainly belong to the Cliff Goodchild Concert Band and wish to continue developing their jazz ensemble playing.  Jazz Band – A are often called upon to perform at many College events and competitions.  The Jazz Band also offer their time and skills to perform at a number of our local community events which fall under the social justice programme of the College.  This group has also toured extensively overseas.

Jazz Band – B

This ensemble provides our middle school students an introduction to jazz at the Senior School level. Students are required to audition and should also be part of the Concert Band programme.  Jazz Band – B gives students an opportunity to begin learning about the different genres and the art of improvisation. 

Brass Ensemble

The Brass Ensemble comprises students who are proficient on their brass instrument.  The group builds on skills learnt in the Concert Band and performs often within the College environment, including liturgical services, academic assemblies and community events.  Students perform a wide spectrum of repertoire.

Woodwind Ensemble

Students are given an opportunity to learn and perform Wind Chamber Music in various types of woodwind ensembles.  These ensembles are small groups that usually perform in small venues.   Membership is by audition.  

Rock Bands

There are a number of Rock Band Groups at the College. These groups are arranged by year group and ability. The annual ‘Rock Band Festival’, gives each of the rock bands an opportunity to perform in front of their friends and family and is one of the many highlights of the year in the Music Department.

String Ensembles

Chamber Strings Ensemble

Students in the ensemble range from Years 7 to 12, and approximately Grade 2 to Grade 5 standard (AMEB).  The ensemble extends and enhances students’ musical development and enjoyment through the rehearsal and performance of stimulating repertoire.

Guitar Ensemble

The College has a number of guitar ensembles allowing students to play in a group of students with a similar level of attainment. In most Chamber Music groups there will be only one player per part, giving added responsibility to the musicians.

Private Music Lessons

A Year 12 Music student during his alto saxophone performance

Private music tuition is available on a range of instruments.  Students electing to take private music lessons must do so for a minimum of six months (one semester).  There is an additional charge for the use of a College instrument.

Parents who would like their sons to commence instrumental lessons must complete a private music registration form by clicking on the following link: https://Private Music Tuition Form

Scholarship

A Junior Student playing the trumpet

George William Rummery Music Scholarship

The George William Rummery Scholarship is a gift of the Rummery Family in memory of their son and brother, George, whose life ended tragically in 1982 when he was in Year 8 at Waverley College.

The Scholarship is awarded to a student of the College who displays particular aptitude and interest in music and is committed to supporting co-curricular music at the College.

The Scholarship covers ongoing full or partial remission of music tuition fees for students from Year 7 to Year 12.

Please click here to find out more about the scholarship and to complete the online application form.