Music is a mandatory subject for Stage 4 and an elective subject for Stages 5 and the Preliminary and HSC courses. In Stage 5, students study various genres of music to enrich their musical knowledge and to develop their interest and experience in music. In Stage 6, Concord High students can either study Music 1 or Music 2 (with the added option of Extension). Music 1 is a subject that caters for students with a contemporary background and interest. It allows the students the flexibility to choose from three electives (Performance, Composition and Musicology). Music 2 and Extension are programmes that cater for students who want to explore various musical performance, composition, and aural study experiences at an advanced level.
Units of work
Students studying these topics.
Year 7 mandatory course
- Term 1 - What is Music?
- Term 2 - Instruments of the Orchestra and Introduction to Piano
- Term 3 - Rock Music and Introduction to guitar
- Term 4 - Music of Australia
Year 8 elective course
- Term 1 - Music and Technology
- Term 2 - Performance Skills
- Term 3 - Ensemble Exploration
- Term 4 - Passion Projects
Year 9 elective course
- Term 1 - Australia Art Music
- Term 2 - Arranging for Small Ensembles
- Term 3 - Jazz
- Term 4 - Project Based Learning
Year 10 elective course
- Term 1 - The Baroque and Classical Periods
- Term 2 - Focus on Film Music
- Term 3 - Cultural Studies
- Term 4 - Rock Music
Year 11 elective course
- Term 1 - Popular Music
- Term 2 - Instrument and its Repertoire
- Term 3 - Small Ensembles
Year 12 elective course
- Term 4 - Music for Radio, Film, Television and Multimedia
- Term 1 - Music of the 20th and the 21st Century
- Term 2 - Instrument and its Repertoire (Detailed Study)
- Term 3 - Preparation for HSC/HSC examination
Instrumental and vocal ensembles
Concord High School has a strong and diverse program of instrumental and vocal ensembles, which help foster students' musicianship, help to create new lasting friendships and improve students' discipline and punctuality.
Concord High School concert band
Concord High School Concert Band enjoys an enthusiastic membership of around 20 to 25 students who rehearse each Tuesday and Thursday morning in preparation for performances at school assemblies and other school community gatherings. The band plays a variety of musical styles such as old English folk tunes to band arrangements for modern rock and musicals.
The band is busy building its repertoire with a view to expanding its performing opportunities outside of the school such as band competitions and other community events.
The primary goal of the concert band is to give students a forum to develop their musicianship in a welcoming and encouraging environment. The band enjoys the membership of students of varying ability from beginners to students involved in regional band organisations.
Concord High School string ensemble
Concord High School String Ensemble was established with the intention of giving students of string instruments the opportunity to develop their ensemble skills in a positive atmosphere of encouragement regardless of their current ability.
The ensemble currently boasts violins, violas, cello and double bass giving students an invaluable experience in developing intonation and sight-reading ability. We play a variety of repertoire to reinforce the musical skills of students across a range of classical genres.
The string ensemble rehearses each Wednesday morning and looks forward to performing within and outside the school environment.
The Concord High School String Ensemble is determined to produce great performances and work diligently to execute this for every performance.
Concord High School stage band
Concord High School Stage Band gives students an extension opportunity beyond their existing ensemble.
The ensemble currently boasts percussion, wind and brass instrumentalists specialising in complex jazz and swing repertoire.
The stage band rehearses each Monday morning and performs at a variety of school and external events.
Concord High School chamber strings
Concord High School Chamber Strings were formed in 2020 for the Strike a Chord national chamber music championships. Now they have grown to become a permanent part of our instrumental ensembles program.
The ensemble is made up of existing String Ensemble members who either audition for a seat in the Chamber Strings or are selected by the director to take part.
The chamber strings rehearse each Friday morning and perform at a variety of school and external events.
Concord High School vocal ensemble
Concord High School Vocal Ensemble welcomes young brooding vocalists, so they can improve their vocal skills and perform with exceptional quality.
The ensemble currently boasts soprano, alto, tenor and baritone voices.
The vocal ensemble rehearses each Wednesday afternoon and performs at a variety of school and external events.
Concord High School rock ensemble
Concord High School Rock Ensemble provides students with an experience in rock and pop music from different decades.
The ensemble currently has guitars, piano, percussion and singers.
The rock ensemble rehearses each Thursday morning and performs at a variety of school and external events.
Concord High School orchestra
Since 2020, all of the Instrumental and Vocal Ensembles join forces for a combined item at the end of each year.
This so-called Orchestra normally produces Christmas repertoire or pieces of similar magnitude, to provide the students with a spectacular ending to their year's experience in the ensembles program.
The orchestra is called to rehearse on select mornings in Terms 3 and 4, and presents their work at the Semester 2 Instrumental and Vocal Presentation Night.
Primary schools strings workshop
Every year, the Concord High School String Ensemble and Chamber Strings join forces with the strings of our local feeder primary schools for one whole day.
These combined strings are conducted under Mr Luke Wallace from Concord West Public School, a highly regarded music teacher in the area. They work on string technique and ensemble skills while working on suitably challenging repertoire.
The Chamber Strings have traditionally done a guest performance to the visiting students as a demonstration of more advanced music they may be interested in undertaking throughout their school careers.
At the end of the day, the musicians present their repertoire in a final concert to Concord High School music classes, parents of visiting students and attending staff.
Primary schools concert band workshop
Like the Primary Strings Workshop a few months prior, the Primary Concert Band Workshop involves the Concord High School Concert Band combining with the winds of local primary schools.
The joint band is conducted by our very own Michael Jobson, working on breathing technique and ensemble skills while working on suitably challenging repertoire.
At the end of the day, the musicians present their repertoire in a final concert to Concord High School music classes, parents of visiting students and attending staff.
Secondary schools concert band workshop
Each year, the Concord High School Concert Band merges with bands from neighbouring high schools to play under the direction of the honourable Stephen Williams, a nationally renowned conductor from the highly prestigious NSW Department of Education Arts Unit.
The musicians work on advanced musicianship as a substitute to mentoring visiting players, opting to work together as equals to produce great music.
Like the primary school workshops, the band presents their repertoire in a concert at the end of the day to select classes and staff, but parents of attending Concord musicians are also allowed to attend unlike the other two workshops.
