Music at Essington

General Information

Staff

Music Superstars!!

Music News

Music Upcoming Events

Music at Essington:

Over the past few years, The Essington School Darwin has built a strong foundation in music learning and appreciation. Music is valued at the school as a rich source of expression, inspiration and pleasure for all students.

In 1999 the School set as its goal to develop outstanding programs within the school by setting up a number of Centres of Excellence. Music was the schools first Centre of Excellence initiated in 2000 and since then students, teachers and parents have worked hard to develop an outstanding music education program and to provide facilities for the program.

It is well accepted that music is of great value to children, not only providing the opportunity of personal satisfaction in making music, but also the positive effect on learning in other areas.

The Importance of a Good Music Education:

In conjunction with other curriculum areas, music education has the following effects:

assists cognitive development and coordination
assists growth of self-esteem
provides opportunities for social interaction and cooperative learning
provides for enjoyment, relaxation and emotional response
leads to the exploration of other arts disciplines as well as other cultures
encourages self discipline
provides resources for creativity
enhances other curriculum areas.

Our major goal in Music is the development of the individual child's skill, sensitivity and imagination in music.

Essington - A 'Top 20' Music School:

In 2005 our Music School was recognised as one of the 'Top 20 Exemplary Music Schools in Australia', by the National Taskforce reviewing Music Education in Australia.

In 2004 the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon. Brendan Nelson, set up a Taskforce to review Music Education in Australian Schools. The Taskforce reviewed 500 schools and identified 20 schools as 'schools of exemplary practice'. In Term 2, 2005, two representatives from the Taskforce visited our school and interviewed teachers, students, parents, the Principal, and observed numerous classes in action. We were very pleased with their positive and enthusiastic response to our music education programs.

We were very pleased to be identified as one of these 'top 20' schools.

Classroom Music:

Classroom music is part of the primary curriculum program for all students. Specialist music teachers are used to teach these classes. Additional interest and extension groups are formed as needed. These weekly music classes take place in our Music Centre and foster an understanding and love of music in those formative years.

Aspects of music covered in the program include beat and rhythm, history, dynamics, timbre, tempo, pitch, form, harmony, graphic and format notation.

In certain years, additional programs are included. In Year 4 all students have the opportunity to learn the violin or cello in small groups as part of their weekly classroom music program. In Year 6 and 7 students have the opportunity to learn the guitar in small groups as part of their weekly classroom music program.

In the Middle School, secondary students are able to select music electives covering a variety of areas and interest. Of particular interest to students at Year 8 and 9 level is our keyboard classes conducted as part of our Middle School electives program.

Instrumental Music Classes:

The Essington School Darwin conducts an extensive program of instrumental music classes on an individual or small group basis. We believe we have the largest number of students studying instruments in the Northern Territory. Given the size of our school, this is an outstanding endorsement of the importance of music at our School.

Specialist teachers are employed on a sessional basis to teach piano, keyboard, violin, guitar and recorder. All lessons are conducted in the School's Music Centre or music teaching rooms at the school and lessons are conducted during the day or after school.

Singing/Choir Classes:

The Essington School Darwin provides opportunities for students to undertake singing classes on a one to one basis or in small groups.

A number of choirs are conducted during the school day. These choirs have been highly acclaimed and annually achieve excellent results at the annual Northern Australian Eisteddfod.

Band and Ensemble Groups:

Students are able to take lessons in flute, trombone, clarinet, trumpet, tuba and percussion. These students make up our School Ensemble groups and join together at times to form our School Band. Instruments are available for hire through the school or privately.

Music lessons are available on a one to one basis or in small groups during the school day or after school.

Students are encouraged to sit for instrumental exams and to take part in the annual Northern Australian Eisteddfod. Opportunities to perform at various school recitals and concerts is also provided. The School is often invited to provide music groups for community events and activities.

Music Extension Classes:

As part of our Talented Students Program, from time to time extension groups are organised to allow interested students to extend their knowledge and understanding of music. We use a number of approaches for this program including the program, 'Music Mind Games', devised by an American music educator, Michiko Yurko. These Music Mind Games are an exciting and fun way to extend students in music and to learn the theory of music.

Staff in the Music Department:

Jill Kuhn - Music Coordinator

Music Coordinator Jill Kuhn has been teaching piano since 1974 in the NT. She holds an Associate Diploma of Music Teaching and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Music Teaching, President of NT Piano/Keyboard Teachers Association Inc, Committee member of Seabreeze Festival Committee, the NT Eisteddfod Council and Australian Society of Music Educators.

Jill has developed Essington’s music program with the help of the many music teachers here and is always looking for ways to make music interesting and exciting to maintain students’ interest. She is passionate about making music available to every child. She conducts the Essington Songsters choir which in 2007 won the Best Primary School Award at the Eisteddfod.

Merrilyn Watson - Music Teacher

Merrilyn Watson is a primary school music specialist with 20 years experience in a variety of schools, both private and government, in WA and the NT. She has now been teaching at The Essington School for 10 years, building up a classroom music programme for children in pre-transition to grade 5.Merrilyn's special interest is in choirs and she is passionate about getting children singing and building up a singing culture in the school. Since starting at the school, she now conducts a large year 3/4/5 choir, year 6/7 choir, and a year 8 choir.

All choirs do consisently well in the annual NT Eisteddfod, with many First places and Highly Commended Certificates, and they are frequently invited to perform at community functions. Merrilyn also runs 2 children's choirs out of school and previously ran an adult community choir in Katherine.

As well as singing and classroom music, Merrilyn also teaches recorder and has established a recorder band for her and other teachers' students. This band has also done well in competition and played for events both within and outside of the school.

Merrilyn says: "Music has always been an important part of my life; I learnt piano, violin and recorder, and picked up guitar along the way. But what I really loved was singing! I was so thrilled when I got to high school and found there was a choir there, as well as an orchestra, to join. They took hours of my time after and before school but I loved every minute of it, and I loved practising and performing with my friends. When I became a teacher I decided that teaching music would be fun and rewarding - and I was right! It has been exciting to teach children, many of whom have had no opportunity to learn music otherwise, and see them becoming really good at it, and giving fantastic performances which also bring pleasure to other people."

Lindsay has been in the music industry for approx 40 years, doing live performances, sound engineering and teaching Guitar and Bass. Lindsay has been involved with recording music over the last 15 years, producing albums, songs and demos for artists and professional audio services for local Businesses. Lindsay has recently completed a new recording Studio facility in Palmerston where he will continue to offer his skills.

Julia Toussaint-Jackson - Brass Teacher

Julia attended the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne from 1976 -1998, becoming School Music Captain in her final year. She commenced Piano studies at the age of seven years with Marie Driscoll. At the age of eight she took up study of the Horn under Tom Nicoll with whom she obtained her Associate Diploma in Music (A.MUS.A.) at the age of sixteen. Julia went on to study at the Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, understudying Graeme Evans, Principle Horn with the Melbourne Symphony. Julia completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance at the Conservatorium in 1995.

In 1990, Julia was one of four Australians chosen to participate in a Masterclass with Barry Tuckwell in Sydney. In 1993 Julia travelled to Europe where she understudied Adam Friedrich at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Julia also played professionally with Hungarian orchestras.

Julia has performed widely as a chamber and orchestral musician and soloist in Australia, Asia, and Europe. Julia’s Ebony and Ivory French Horn and Piano Duet performed both classical and jazz music at regular engagements. Julia is also a member of the Melbourne based Piston Baroque Brass Quintet which performs a diverse range of both jazz and classical music, and has successfully recorded the CD Under the Influence with Tony Gould and Graeme Lyall.

Julia has taught both trumpet and horn for many years at private schools in Melbourne, and has much experience tutoring and conducting youth ensembles in Sydney and Melbourne. Julia has been a well established freelance player in Melbourne, performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with whom she toured Japan in 1994, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She has been recorded by ABC FM in a quintet featured on the Young Performers Program, as well as playing in live radio and television broadcasts.

Julia has had much theatre experience, including performing in the Melbourne season of the Australian Premiere production of Lloyd-Weber’s Sunset Boulevard, and in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Sondheim’s Into The Woods.

In 1999, Julia went to Papua New Guinea for 4 years where she devoted time to raising her 2 young children. She also donated her time and experience as a teacher of music and recorder at the Madang International School, where she formed the School’s choir – the vast majority of whom are Papua New Guinean nationals – introducing them to western choral music and performing with them as their director for 3 years.

Upon her return to Australia, Julia hopes to share her vast experience as performer and educator, her musical knowledge, and enormous enthusiasm for music with audiences and students. Presently based in Darwin, she runs her own professional wind quintet, Quintessential which has bookings 12 - 18 months in advance. Julia actively participates in the musical community in Darwin, being Principle Horn with the Darwin Symphony, teaching at The Essington School and numerous private students, and being an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board in the Northern Territory.

Liza Tobin has joined our Essington group of music teachers as a Flute and Recorder teacher. She has been teaching other primary school children and some adults for the past two years and is really enjoying it. Liza learned to play flute in primary school and is still studying with Januscz Kwasny in Darwin. Her current enrolment in the Advanced Diploma of Music at Charles Darwin University has given her an excellent grounding in music theory, performance skills and teaching repertoire.

Kirsty McCallum

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Kirsty McCallum finished her schooling there and then went on to study music at Trinity College of Music in London where she majored in violin and piano. While there, she also studied singing and recorder for a year. After graduating, she completed her teacher training at the Institute of Education, London University.

When she first came to Australia, Kirsty joined the popular Sydney based folk group 'Raglan Road'. As well as performing and touring, she made three albums with the group, Kirsty also studied guitar at the Sydney School of Classical Guitar.

Kirsty has been a school teacher in both the public and private sector for over twenty years, She has also worked as a session musician with several major recording companies including the ABC and EMI. Her school experience ranges from preschool to year 12. In 1995 Kirsty released her own album of songs and was elected as a writer, full member of the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA).

Kirsty finally settled in Darwin with her husband and son in 1999, where she has continued to teach and perform.

In her spare time, Kirsty is a member of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, the Arafura Ensemble, the Darwin Chorale, the Top End Folk Club Bush Band, and string trio, 'Trio Gone Troppo', a light classical ensemble whcih plays for corporate and other functions, She also has private students in piano and violin and is a professional piano accompanist.

Susi Bertie

Susi started her musical career learning the classroom recorder at the age of eight at Ashburton Primary School in Melbourne. She progressed to the clarinet when she was eleven, studying it through to Year 12.

She graduated with a Chemical Engineering Degree in 1984 and kept up her musical interest during this time through participation in community bands and orchestras, and the acquisition of a tenor saxophone for her 21^st birthday.

She was clarinet section leader of the Melbourne Moomba Youth Band for several years, and later joined the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, playing clarinet as well as bass clarinet and saxophone when required, and has played in many musicals and other community events.

Since 1997 Susi has taught clarinet, saxophone and flute at various schools, the Centre for Youth Music, and privately. She holds a Graduate Diploma of Education majoring in Maths and Music, and had taught Maths for a year at Darwin High School in between raising children.

Susi enjoys playing in a variety of settings, from classical to musicals and big bands. She encourages her students to have as wide a musical exposure as possible and to take part in Eisteddfods and recitals and other performance opportunities. She also guides her students towards AMEB examinations if possible.

Whilst only having been at Essington just two years she has already made her mark here with the success of her students in the Eisteddfod and recent examinations.

She leads a busy life with a teenager and toddler to bring up, and is very active in orienteering in Darwin.

Eunice Hicks

I started my first music lessons in a little ukulele group when I was 5 or 6. I remember the teacher encouraging me to help him tune the other children's instruments so I must have had some sort of ear for music. Music had been an important and joyous part of our family life and remains that still. Over the years, I have learned the violin, viola, piano, cello, (and of course the ukulele!), completed a Bachelor of Music Performance on viola at the Sydney Conservatorium and last year, received "Player of the Year" award with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.

I have enjoyed teaching at many schools and have had many private students. Being a mother of two young girls, teaching is a lovely occupation where they can be present and also absorb music (admittedly many out of tune notes!). The 7 month old is present at my school teaching and both are present at my home teaching. Every now and then, baby provides some interesting diversions to the music lessons but on the whole she is very good!

I am enjoying my teaching at Essington school, including helping out with the year 4s violin classes, private tuition and a weekly music session for the little ones at the Essington Rapid Creek Day Care. I look forward to sharing many future musical experiences with the students here.

Luke Kent

Luke has been playing music since his school days. Having first developed an interest in music as a singer in the school choir he moved on to learning saxophone before taking an interest in other instruments.

He has completed Certificate I in Contemporary Music and is currently working towards completion of his Bachelor Of music (Charles Darwin University)

Luke is a regular drummer/guitarist in his church group and has been involved in many different music groups and situations throughout the years including: The Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Darwin City Brass Band and Palmerston City Concert Band

He has also played drums and guitar for a variety of cover/original bands throughout the years and worked in collaboration with other musicians recording jingles for TV advertisements, some of which have appeared on Darwin Television Stations in the past few years.

Luke has been teaching music for the past 5 years in various schools in Darwin.

Luke says: "I approach music education with each student individually, whilst stressing good technique and musicality. Not every student wants to learn drums or guitar from a classical viewpoint (ie reading music) But I do insist on a basic grounding. I think music should be fun and rewarding and I teach my students not only to play well as instrumentalists but to function well as musicians. I teach my students to realize that music is more than just notes, and sounds, but a collection of voices joining together for the benefit of the music."

Keith Scott:

Keith has been teaching music professionally for more than 20 years, and the last 8 years of that has been around the Darwin area. He has taught in almost every school in the area as either directly employed by the school, as a private tutor teaching students as part of their school curriculum, or during his employment as an musical instrument specialist at Northern Territory Music School.

He is well qualified with his attainments including the following degrees: Master of Design Science in the field of Audio and Acoustics, Bachelor of Arts in the field of Music, Diploma in Creative Arts (music) Honours, and other awards include unit awards in Music Production and Computers in Music.

He has also been performing for 35 years and has played in many major cities in England, USA, Malaysia, China and Israel and of course here in Australia.

Our Music Superstars!!

Each week students are nominated for Star of the Week at Assembly and each term there is a special $50 voucher presented by Billy Hyde Top End Sounds to the music student showing consistent and enthusiastic practice.

Hannah McCourt

Winner of Inaugural Jill Kuhn Award which is awarded to a girl learning at Essington who shows by her actions her extra interest and enjoyment in music and tries to improve constantly.

Hannah says: 'As far back as I can remember I have always played an instrument or sung songs. I love being in the choir, performing with my friends in our trio GLITTER GIRLS, singing solo, or attending music camps as I did recently in Adelaide. Music really inspires me and when I watch someone performing I wish that could be me. One day I hope to be a great performer like them'.

Hannah learns voice and piano from Lucy Neville. She always practices well and comes to extra singing rehearsals. She has shown great improvement in piano as well as singing. Has worked really hard on performance skills and on harmony singing skills so that she could do the harmony in the Trio. Hannah is also a committed member of the choir, and won her singing section in the Eisteddfod.

Dr. Bob Smith Award: Cedric Tan

Cedric Tan is 11 years old in year 7 at Essington and learns clarinet at Essington from Susi Bertei. He gained First in Eisteddfod Clarinet Trio 12 and under and Duet 12 and under, and Piano Trio 17 and under. He recently sat for his 3^rd Grade Clarinet with AMEB and 4th grade piano.. He is a capable and interested member of the School Band. He has been learning the piano for 6 years and has been learning the clarinet from Susi Bertei since coming to Essington. He is currently preparing for Grade 5 Piano and Grade 4 Clarinet. His favourite type of music is jazz. He enjoyed the whole experience of Life is a Song and was excited to see himself playing in the Essington School Band on Australian Idol in early September. Cedric won the inaugural Dr. Bob Smith Music Award.

Deni Taulelei

At 13 years of age Deni Taulelei has managed to achieve A in 3rd Grade Flute with ela Kwasny and A+ in Piano for Leisure 5th Grade and is working towards the next grades. She gained Honours for her 2nd grade Musicianship. Her favourite instrument is the piano which she learns with Jill Kuhn and says that she enjoys music but wishes it didn’t require practice! Deni also plays in the school band performances.

She has a busy life outside school playing netball and coaching a junior netball team. Deni also supervises after school care students who wish to practice during that time in the Music Centre.

Alesha Tan

Alesha earned the Top End Sounds Award for most consistent student at end of Semester 1 2007. She constantly practices her clairinet which she learns with Susi Bertei and has recently passed her 5th Grade Piano Exam. She earned 1st in the Eisteddfod Clarinet Trio and Duet 12 years and under and also the Piano Trio 17 and under. Alesha plays with the School Band and is a reliable and helpful member.

Alesha Tan, Cedric Tan, Chanel Villegas-Biro have won this trophy for the two years they have been entering this section at the Eisteddfod for Woodwind Trio 12 years and under with Susi Bertei’s expert tuition.

Kiara Musco

Kiara Musco was given the Top End Sounds Award at the end of Term 1 2007 for her consistent practice and effort. Kiara has been learning the piano since she was 7 years old and at 11 is now sitting for her 1st grade piano exam in November 2007. She loves piano and often practises at the Music Centre during her lunch times. Kiara also enjoys playing tennis.

Lana Kains

Lana Kains is one of our up and coming musicians also. She has already won the Darwin Chorale Award for best girl vocalist 18 and under at the 2007 Eisteddfod and other singing awards. Lana is also learning piano and trumpet and has entertained parents and students at Pre school Graduation Nights.

Imogen and Connor Randazzo

Imogen Randazzo and Connor Randazzo are a brother and sister team who last year won the 8 and under piano duet section at the Eisteddfod. They are already planning ahead for next year and Connor and Yianni Glynatsis are also preparing a duet for a higher age group.

Alexandra Toussaint Jackson – Recorder, Piano Alexandra won all 9 items entered at the Eisteddfod.

The Essington School Darwin celebrates the involvement of our students in music and their successes. We would like to congratulate Alexandra Toussaint Jackson on her outstanding achievements in music in the community. Alexandra currently learns piano with Quynh giao Hoffman and won all 9 sections of the Darwin Eisteddfod for piano and recorder in which she entered. We congratulate Alexandra on her success in music.

Music News:

Songsters sing for Prime Minister John Howard.

NSW Army Band with school band

Did you know...
Keyboard lessons are conducted on an individual or group basis.

Did you know...
Year Four students have the opportunity to learn to play the violin as part of their classroom program.

Did you know...
The Essington School Darwin is often invited to provide music groups for community events and activities.

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Site maintained by Cheryl Salter - Updated October, 2007

The Essington School Darwin