The Arts
Music, Drama and Visual Art, are thriving disciplines at TAS.
ARTS subjects are studied as part of the Junior School curriculum. In Year 7 and Year 8, all students study Music, Drama and Visual Art for a semester. In Year 9 and Year 10, Music, Drama and Visual Art can be studied as elective subjects each semester. This culminates in the students’ selection of Music, Drama and Visual Art as Senior Authority subjects.
Instrumental Tuition
Many students receive instrumental tuition on a range of musical instruments through TAS Instrumental and Vocal Lessons. These lessons are provided by a number of visiting private contractor tutors who offer professional, individual tuition, during school hours. Students from Year 2 to Year 12 can apply for lessons on piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, drums, guitar, and voice.
Concerts and Events
Each year, a major co-curricular event is staged with recent offerings being “High School Musical” (2015), “At the Band-stand” (White Rock Junior 2014). Gala nights and cabaret concerts have also featured in recent years. In 2016, we will stage “Rock under the Stars” which will give every one of the many rock bands at the school the opportunity to perform at an open-air concert. TAS musicians always perform at major school events such as Trinity Day, Speech Night and Coconut Carnival. TAS groups often stage off-site concerts and community performances during the year. TAS choirs and ensembles take part in and have a high success rate at the Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod.
Camps and Workshops
Every year, a music camp or workshop is held, providing an occasion to learn new material and offering further opportunities for development, education and performance practice. One highlight of 2015 was the choir camp with Gordon Hamilton, the Artistic Director of the nationally renowned “Australian Voices” vocal ensemble. In 2016, TAS musicians will take part in a two day workshop with Mr Mark Eager, a respected professional conductor and music educator from the UK.
Opportunities for Musical Growth
The foundation of the TAS Instrumental Music program is built on the voluntary Year 3 String program. This course, taught by the Director of Music, offers each student introductory group lessons on the violin, viola or cello and instruments are loaned to students for the duration of this semester-long course. For students in Year 5, the Wind/Brass program offers the same opportunity to students who are interested in these instruments. Many students who commence these programs go on to individual lessons on their chosen instruments and as a result, our musical groups continue to grow in strength and accomplishment.
TAS Visual Art Program
Each year, the Senior Visual Art students participate in competitions and exhibitions.
Competitions
Cairns Show – Photography and Wearable Art Competitions
Write About Art by Flying Art Competition
Exhibitions
Creative Generation – ENERGY Exhibition at the TANKS Art Centre
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COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS
TAS musicians are encouraged to aspire to be the best that they can be on their chosen instrument. Many students take part in external examinations through Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) or Trinity College London (TCL).
TAS Music is committed to training young musicians who are musically informed and literate and who can confidently play their chosen instrument in solo and ensemble settings. TAS Music recognises that the ability to play an instrument or sing in a choir is a skill that can be nurtured and developed into a life-long passion for, and engagement with, the music community of Australia.
Commitment to Professional Development
TAS recognises the need to provide professional development and performance opportunities to support teachers and musicians in our local area and further afield. To find out more please contact the Director of Music.
FRIENDS OF TAS MUSIC
Friends of TAS Music is an enthusiastic group of parents who have supported music excellence at TAS since 1997. Working closely with the TAS Music Department, Friends of TAS Music provides assistance and fundraising opportunities for the TAS Music programs at White Rock and Kewarra Beach.
Instrumental and Vocal Lesson Request Form - 2017
TAS Art Program
The TAS Art Program is enhanced by regular visits of professional artists and by attendance at local exhibitions. Students enter both local and national art competitions, as well as displaying their work at school promotional evenings and at specifically staged school art shows.
TAS Drama Program
The TAS Drama Program encourages students to participate in productions ranging from Shakespeare to mime and contemporary plays. Productions are staged for the public on a regular basis in the Bishop Centre for Performing Arts, the School’s fully equipped Performing Arts Complex. The student technical crew support these performances.
TAS Music Camps
TAS Music Camps, often held at the start of the year, provide students with an occasion to learn new material and sharpen their skills. Professional guest conductors are invited to attend music camps.
TAS Orchestra
This group combines the talents of our top orchestral musicians and is conducted by the Director of Music. The orchestra performs at key school functions such as Speech Night, Trinity Day and Gala Awards Night.
TAS Middle School Orchestra
TAS Concert Band
This group is conducted by one of our visiting professional tutors. The concert band plays music from a diverse range of musical styles and is open to all senior school musicians who play a wind or brass instrument.
TAS Ensembles
String Ensemble
Conducted by the Director of Music, this ensemble is open to all string players in the Senior School and experienced White Rock Junior players. TAS Strings plays for school functions, especially when there is a need for quieter, reflective music, and in events for the local community.
Small Ensembles
As musical talent develops, students are encouraged to play in small ensembles. These have been many and varied and have included a string quartet, piano trio, clarinet choir, flute ensemble and sax pack. These groups perform on many occasions, both at school and for community events.
Junior Ensembles
Both campuses have Junior School Concert Bands forming effective training ensembles for participation in Senior School music. White Rock Junior and Kewarra Beach Junior string ensembles are also essential training groups which feed into the Senior School ensembles in later years. These bands also play for school events and celebrations.
Other Junior School Ensembles
In recent years a variety of ensembles have formed in the Junior Schools to suit the talents of students. An example of this is the ukulele ensemble at Kewarra Beach Junior who have performed in the Cairns Ukulele Festival.
TAS Jazz
TAS Jazz is comprised of some of the School’s top wind, brass and rhythm players, enabling it to perform Jazz, Rock and popular music to a very high standard. This is a very committed group of musicians who play not only for school performances, but out-of-school functions.
TAS Rock Bands
TAS offers year level rock bands for students from Years 2 to 12. These bands performed in 2015 to great acclaim at the Coconut Carnival and will feature in “Rock under the Stars” in 2016.
TAS Voices
Our Senior School choir, TAS Voices, is open to all Senior School students, from our talented vocal specialists to any student who wishes to learn to sing in a choir. A diverse range of music is performed from popular music to Australian choral compositions.
TAS Choirs
Choirs are an integral part of the school music program at all stages of school life. Junior and Senior School Choirs perform at Eisteddfodau, Speech Night, Worship Services, School functions and concerts.
Junior School Choirs
Kewarra Beach and White Rock Junior schools have a choir for students in all age groups from the Prep to Year 2 and from Years 3 to 6. The Year 3 to 6 choirs have very successfully performed in the Cairns Eisteddfod and, in recent years, have frequently placed first in this competition.
