Music
A classroom music teacher is based at the school for five days a week. Students in Years Prep-6 take part in the Kodaly Based Music Education Program, and attend one 30 minute lesson per week.
Music levy: Each student involved in the Instrumental Music Program is asked to contribute a levy of $30 each year to assist in the ongoing costs of running the program (sheet music, visiting clinicians and maintenance of instrumental resources – music stands, performance uniforms).
Instrumental hire: Students who are allocated a school-owned instrument, pay a hire fee of $70 per year which covers maintenance and insurance costs.
Prom concerts: Prom concerts are held each term. These are performed by the students involved in the school Music program. These concerts showcase the range of skills being taught and the progress made by each musical group. All students who participate in the Instrumental Music Program and choirs from years 4-6 are expected to hire or purchase the formal uniform of white shirt, black pants, black socks and black shoes. The purchasing and hiring of the performance shirt is arranged through the Uniform Shop.
Instrumental Music
Strings
Belmont has one and a half days of instrumental instruction time per week. Students apply at the end of year 2 for inclusion in the upper strings program for violin and viola, and at the end of years 3 or 4, for inclusion in the lower strings program for cello and double bass. Students attend lessons in a group situation and join the orchestra when they reach the required skill level. Parents must provide (hire or buy) instruments for their children studying violin or viola. Double basses and cellos are available for loan while children are studying at school. Tuition is free.
Woodwind/Brass/Percussion
Students join the band program in year 5, but if there are vacancies, places may be offered to year 6 Students join the band program in year 5, but if there are vacancies, places may be offered to year 6 students. Parents must provide (hire or buy) instruments for their children. Some instruments are available for hire through the school.
Ensembles
There are two concert bands – Beginner band and senior band. The concert band is made up of students from the Woodwind/Brass/Percussion program. All students involved in this instruction program are expected to be involved in the band, attend all rehearsals and be available for all scheduled performances. The Instrumental Music Teacher directs the concert band.
There are two string orchestras and one string ensemble – Corelli strings for students in second year and Vivaldi Strings for more advanced players. First year string students form their own ensemble, Mozart Strings, in 4th term. The string orchestras are made up of students from the upper and lower string programs. All students involved in this instruction program are expected to be involved in the orchestra, attend all rehearsals and be available for all scheduled performances. The strings teacher directs the orchestra.
School choirs
Belmont offers a choral music program for children. Interested students may be involved in their year level group:
Year 3 choir
Upper school choir – Years 4, 5 & 6
Belmont Harmonies – selected students in years 5 & 6
Belmont Boys’ Voices
Students involved in these groups meet for rehearsal once a week, either before school or after school, and are involved in a concert program, which includes both in-school and out-of-school performances. The classroom music teacher directs the choirs.