Music Department
"It is the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. Once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen" Muhammad Ali
Senior Scotch music students and staff attended a presentation by guest lecturer Mr Michael Griffin last Wednesday afternoon, which focussed on strategies for musical success. His two main messages to students were simple; motivation leads to work which leads to progress and excellence is a habit that you develop. Michael's approach to achieving excellence through practice was to chunk (practice small sections at a time), play it slow (to play it correctly) and play with repetition in order to automate the process. After his talk to senior musicians Michael Griffin went on to remind staff that in general boys tend to overestimate their ability to do something and underestimate the time it will take them to achieve excellence. Whilst staff and coaches will always encourage boys to follow the path to excellence at school, parents also play a key role in reinforcing these habits at home. The good news is you do not have to be a master musician to recognise if your son is doing the following: Are they chunking their practice at home or playing through whole pieces at a time? Are they playing slow enough to avoid mistakes? Are they playing accurately with repetition to reinforce Muhammad Ali's words as quoted above? Often a few well-chosen words at home can make the world of difference for how successful your son is in his pursuit of excellence.
Congratulations to the Scotch Youth Voices, Senior Vocal Ensemble and the Combined Scotch/PLC Vocal Ensemble who performed in concert with Dr Jonathon Welch and the 'Choir of Hard Knocks' last Thursday evening. This was an outstanding concert which provided musical excellence and great entertainment for all those who attended.
Important Dates:
Autumn Term
Week 2, Monday 2 May, FOSM meeting, 7.00pm Senior Music Department
Week 6, Tuesday 31 May, Vocal Showcase, 6.30pm Dickinson Centre
Week 7, Wednesday 8 June, Junior and Middle School Autumn Concert, 6.00pm Dickinson Centre
Week 9, Friday 24 June, Music Department Jazz Night, 7.30pm Dickinson Centre
Week 10, Wednesday 29 June, Con Brio Strings Concert, 6.30pm, Dickinson Centre
Contact Details
The Instrumental Programme is administered by the Senior School Music Department and all queries should be directed to the Music Administrator, Julia Robinson (9383 6841) music@scotch.wa.edu.au
Alternately, please contact Mr Tim Simpson, Acting Head of Music, via email TMSimpson@scotch.wa.edu.au or phone 9383 6824.
If you wish to become more involved in supporting the Music Department, please contact FOSM@scotch.wa.edu.au.
Mr Tim Simpson
Acting Head of Music
