At the Grace Academy, we create a wonderful nurturing community, one that seeks to offer students the opportunity to explore their gifts and talents in a comfortable and caring environment.

The Grace Academy staff are a passionate and energetic team of teachers and industry professionals who have a love for their art forms and take great joy in helping their students develop and share their gifts in an encouraging and protected environment.

We offer extensive programs at both Rothwell and Caboolture Campus and our Music Studio that are supported by a healthy performance calendar.

Explore Music by Location

Grace College Caboolture

Grace College Rothwell

ENROL IN COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAMMES HERE

GRACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE - CABOOLTURE CAMPUS

Concert Band

DIRECTOR: Mrs Kerry Thomas

ENTRANCE: Seating Audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxphone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday 3:15-4:30pm

Concert Band places are auditioned with all students being offered a place. Students who play flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba or percussion are welcomed and are drawn from Years 7 to 12.

Concert Band may perform at community-based events such as fetes, local crèches and school events as well as participation in tours.

As this ensemble requires students to work as part of a team, it is necessary that students practice their music at home so as not to let other team members down and show a high level of commitment to rehearsals and performances. It is not unlike a sporting team in this area. It is expected that students in this ensemble are participating in some form of music lesson on their chosen instrument, as this will allow them to progress through the ranks of the ensemble and thus enhance their musical experiences.

Auditions for this ensemble are held for all participants each year. Concert Band rehearsal once a week either before or after school.

Drum Line*

DIRECTOR: Mr Nathan Poetschka

ENTRANCE: Signup

INSTRUMENTATION: Percussion

REHEARSAL TIME: Lunchtime TBA

Drum Line provides percussion students with an opportunity to explore the variety of genres and styles that make up the area of percussion. Drum Line is formed for special events as required.

String Ensemble

DIRECTOR: Mrs Mandy Gale

ENTRANCE: Seating Audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Violin, viola, cello, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday 7:00-8:00am

String Ensemble consists of students that play violin, viola, cello or double bass. Ensemble work for stringed instrumentalists is important as it develops student’s sense of relative pitch.

String Ensemble plays a varied repertoire encompassing everything from movie soundtrack transcriptions to traditional string works. Playing in this group allows students further opportunities for public performance.

While this ensemble is auditioned, no player of a stringed instrument will be denied participation. It is expected that all ensemble members are having regular lessons on their instrument.

Attendance at performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals. String Ensemble rehearses once a week.

Vocal Ensemble

DIRECTOR: Mr Nathan Poetschka

ENTRANCE: Signup

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday Lunchtime

Participation in vocal ensembles allows singers, instrumentalists and those who just love music to develop their vocal skills, ensemble skills and the love of joint music making. The Vocal Ensemble is the ‘all-comers’ group that aims at fostering a love of music while developing a sense of healthy vocal technique in the choral context. It is good value for singers of all year levels and abilities.

The repertoire chosen for this group is selected from a range of popular vocal music and classic choral works. Students find themselves singing songs from hit movies, top of the charts and classical concert hall pieces. Some arrangements are set as unaccompanied pieces while others have piano or rhythm section accompaniments. Part-singing plays an important role in developing harmonic awareness within the choir and so vocalists sing songs in unison and up to four parts.

Rehearsals are conducted once a week. It is the expectation of all students who participate in the Vocal Ensemble to consistently attend these weekly rehearsals.

Worship Bands

DIRECTOR: Mr Nathan Poetschka

ENTRANCE: Signup

INSTRUMENTATION: Guitar, bass, drums, percussion, vocal, other

REHEARSAL TIME: Lunchtime TBA

The Worship Bands consists of three ensembles; Years 7-8, Years 9-10 and Years 11-12 and may perform at a variety of school events as well as local church and community events. Worship Bands are responsible for providing the music at school chapels and Opening & Closing Services. Students in this ensemble have the opportunity to explore a variety of worship styles and musical genres. The group includes vocalists, guitarists, bass guitarists and drummers with additional instruments added when appropriate.

Attendance at performances is expected, as is regular attendance at rehearsals. Worship Band rehearses once a week.

Caboolture Campus Musical

ROLES: Cast (Leads, Chorus), Orchestra (Senior musical only), Costuming, Makeup, Backstage Crew, Set Design and Construction

ENTRANCE: Cast and Orchestra Auditioned, Other roles signup

Grace has a long tradition of excellence in the staging of Musicals. Students from the Caboolture campus have participated in senior productions of Anything Goes (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2013) and West Side Story (2011).

Musical productions give students the opportunity to combine their gifts and work across art forms in performance. They are an opportunity for collaboration amongst a variety of departments within the school context, where staff lead the way in revealing to students how appreciating the strengths of others and working together towards a shared goal or vision, can offer extraordinary personal rewards and satisfaction. This cross-arts collaboration encourages students to share their strengths and learn new skills in other areas of the arts.

A Musical is acknowledged as a big commitment. Academics and students welfare must be taken into account prior to and for the duration of the Musical process. Students and parents are clearly informed of the commitment requirements prior to the start of rehearsals and are asked to consider their student schedule and academic status, keeping in mind the benefits of the production before allowing their student to commit to the production. Staff at the College, are aware of at risk students, who if they choose to commit to the production are carefully monitored and offered aid where necessary. Students and parents are asked to sign a commitment form, which is given out at the parent night along with a comprehensive rehearsal schedule to help parents and students make an informed choice about their involvement.

The Musical process is an intense one, however not only do students benefit from and enjoy the thrill of a big production experience, but they walk away with interpersonal skills that can only be gained from this kind of involvement.

*Extension Ensembles

Our Instrumental Ensembles work on a Primary and Extension Ensemble system. The Primary Ensembles are the base groups from which Extension Ensemble members are drawn. Therefore members of Extension Ensembles must participate in one of the Primary groups. Commitment to the Primary Ensemble plus consultation with both the Primary and Extension Ensemble Directors, determines placement in an Extension Ensemble.

GRACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE - ROTHWELL CAMPUS

Big Band*

DIRECTOR: Mr Kerry Thomas

ENTRANCE: Auditioned + membership of a Primary Ensemble on the same instrument

INSTRUMENTATION: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Piano, Drums, Bass Guitar, Percussion

REHEARSAL TIME: Friday, 7:00-8:00am

Big Band provides students the opportunity to extend their ensemble abilities beyond those that are taught in the primary ensembles. This ensemble involves saxophone, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, and percussion (drum kit specialist) players. There are also opportunities for vocalists and other instrumentalists as required. The ensemble has a vibrant sound and members enjoy playing a range of repertoire from Jazz standards to popular music.

Big Band comprises up to 17 regular players with additional players as required. Students are drawn from Years 7 to 12 and membership is granted based on ability and prior commitment in primary ensembles. To be a member of Big Band you MUST be a member of one other primary instrumental ensemble (e.g. Wind Symphony, Concert Band or Guitar Ensemble) as this ensemble is seen as an extension or secondary ensemble. Admittance to Big Band is via application to the Head of Co-curricular Performing Arts in consultation with the Primary Ensemble Director and the director of Big Band.

Attendance at performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals. Big Band rehearses once per week.

Brass Ensemble

DIRECTOR: Mr Kerry Thomas

ENTRANCE:

INSTRUMENTATION: Trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba

REHEARSAL TIME: Friday Lunchtime

Chamber Strings

DIRECTOR: Mrs Mandy Gale

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

INSTRUMENTATION: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm

Chamber Strings consist of advanced string players in Years 7-12. Ensemble work for stringed instrumentalists is important as it develops student’s sense of relative pitch, as well as developing ensemble skills.

Chamber Strings play a varied repertoire encompassing movie soundtrack transcriptions, popular music and traditional works and orchestral arrangements for string orechestra. Chamber Strings perform regularly at school and community events, as well as compete in competitions and eisteddfods.

Chamber Strings requires students to work as part of a team, and it is necessary that students practice their music at home so as not to let other team members down and show a high level of commitment to rehearsals and performances. It is not unlike a sporting team in this regard. It is expected that all ensemble members are having regular lessons on their instrument. For senior ensembles such as Chamber Strings, having lessons is a requirement unless specific permission is sought from the Head of Strings.

Attendance at performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals. Chamber Strings rehearse once a week, although additional rehearsal times may be required for leading up to major performances.

Concert Band

DIRECTOR: Mrs Rachel Howley

ENTRANCE: Seating audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxphone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday, 3:15-4:15pm

Concert Band is an auditioned group that consist of approximately 40 – 50 players. While, in general, middle school students are more likely to be placed in Concert Band, membership is based on a students’ ability on their instrument rather than age.

Concert Band often performs at community-based events such as fetes, local crèches, school events as well as participating in some minor tours, and may represent the College at competitions and festivals.

Concert Band requires students to work as part of a team, and it is necessary that students practice their music at home so as not to let other team members down and show a high level of commitment to rehearsals and performances. It is not unlike a sporting team in this regard.

It is highly recommended that students in Concert Band participate in some form of music lesson on their chosen instrument, as this will allow them to progress through the ranks of the ensemble and thus enhance their musical experiences.

Concert Choir

DIRECTOR: Mrs Cleone Cooper

ENTRANCE: Signup

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday, 7:00-8:00am

Concert Choir is one of the major vocal ensembles at Grace. Concert Choir is the ‘all-comers’ group that aims at fostering a love of music while developing a sense of healthy vocal technique in the choral context. It is good value for singers of all year levels and abilities.

The repertoire that is chosen for this massed choir is selected from a range of popular vocal music and classic choral works. Students find themselves singing songs from hit movies, top of the charts and classical concert hall pieces. Some arrangements are set as unaccompanied pieces while others have piano or rhythm section accompaniments. Part-singing plays an important role in developing harmonic awareness within the choir, so vocalists sing songs in unison and up to four parts.

Concert Choir performs at school concerts, organised venues and other special events. It is the expectation that all students who participate in Concert Choir will consistently attend weekly rehearsals.

Percussion Ensemble*

DIRECTOR: Mr Owen Tilbury

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

REHEARSAL TIME: TBA

Percussion Ensemble provides percussion students with an opportunity to explore the variety of genres and styles that make up the area of percussion. Students may be given the opportunity to perform everything from African hand drumming music to well-known orchestral transcriptions, developing skills on instruments such as timpani, xylophone, drum kit, and even less traditional instruments such as tin cans and old car parts.

Attendance at performances is expected, as is regular attendance at rehearsals. Percussion Ensemble rehearses once a week.

Senior Vocal Group

DIRECTOR: Mrs Cleo Cooper

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

REHEARSAL TIME: Friday, 3:15-4:45pm

Senior Vocal Group is an auditioned vocal ensemble of approximately 20 students that draws its membership from the senior school. It is generally expected that students have the ability to read music or be able to learn their part outside of rehearsal.

The group aims to expose students to a wide variety of choral genres and to develop versatility in performance. A typical rehearsal or performance would see students tackle music from a variety of eras and countries, sing with instrumental accompaniment and acappella, and even attempt some dance moves. In the process, students learn how to blend vocally within their part and the whole ensemble and to communicate their music successfully to a variety of audiences. Singing in a choral group such as this develops students’ musicality and is particularly useful for developing the ear of all performers (including instrumentalists) and elective music students.

One before or after school rehearsal, is scheduled each week. Up to one 3 hour weekend rehearsal may be required per term. Students should expect to be involved in up to 2 vocal workshops per year.

String Ensemble

DIRECTOR: Mrs Mandy Gale

ENTRANCE: Seating audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm

String Ensemble consist of string players from Years 7-12 that play violin, viola, cello or double bass. Ensemble work for stringed instrumentalists is important as it develops student’s sense of relative pitch, as well as developing ensemble skills. While, in general, middle school students are more likely to be placed in String Ensemble, membership is based on a students’ ability on their instrument rather than age.

String Ensemble play a varied repertoire encompassing everything from movie soundtrack transcriptions to traditional string works. Playing in these groups allows students further opportunities for public performance such as local charity events and church services as well as school performances and tours. Chamber Strings is also part of the major touring group that tours every two years.

String Ensemble requires students to work as part of a team, and it is necessary that students practice their music at home so as not to let other team members down and show a high level of commitment to rehearsals and performances. It is not unlike a sporting team in this area.

It is highly recommended that students in String Ensemble participate in some form of music lesson on their chosen instrument, as this will allow them to progress through the ranks of the ensemble and thus enhance their musical experiences. Attendance at all performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals.

Wind Symphony

DIRECTOR: Mrs Howley

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday, 3:15-4:45pm

Wind Symphony and Concert Band are auditioned groups that consist of approximately 40 – 50 players. Students who play flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba or percussion are welcomed and are drawn from Years 7 to 12. While, in general, senior students are more likely to be placed in Wind Symphony and middle school students in Concert Band, membership is based on a students’ ability on their instrument rather than age.

Wind Symphony, plays at many of the official school events as well as perform in concerts both on and off campus. Wind Symphony is also part of the major touring group that tours every two years. Concert Band often performs at community-based events such as fetes, local crèches and school events as well as participating in some minor tours. These ensembles may represent the College at competitions and festivals.

As these ensembles require students to work as part of a team, it is necessary that students practice their music at home so as not to let other team members down and show a high level of commitment to rehearsals and performances. It is not unlike a sporting team in this area.

It is highly recommended that students in these ensembles participate in some form of music lesson on their chosen instrument, as this will allow them to progress through the ranks of the ensemble and thus enhance their musical experiences. For senior ensembles such as Chamber Strings and Wind Symphony, having lessons is a requirement unless specific permission is sought from the Head of Co-curricular Performing Arts.

At times, Wind Symphony will be required to rehearse twice a week, particularly leading up to major tours and school events. This would include either one morning and one afternoon rehearsal, or two afternoon rehearsals. Concert Band rehearses once a week either before or after school.

Auditions for these ensembles are held for all participants each year and positions are allocated based on audition results and prior commitment to groups. All students that audition will be offered a position in one of these ensembles.

Rothwell Campus Middle School Musical & Senior Musical

ROLES: Cast (Leads, Chorus), Orchestra (Senior musical only), Costuming, Makeup, Backstage Crew, Set Design and Construction

ENTRANCE: Cast and Orchestra Auditioned, Other roles signup

Grace has a long tradition of excellence in the staging of Musicals. Recent senior productions have included Anything Goes (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2013), West Side Story (2011), Pirates of Penzance (2009) and My Fair Lady (2007). Recent Middle School productions have included Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat (2014), The Aristocats (2012) and Seussical (2010). Middle School and Senior Musical run biannually in alternating years.