Innisfail State College proudly delivers the Department of Education's Instrumental Music Curriculum and the school boasts both a strings and wind band program. Students who participate receive a group lesson once a week during class time. Lessons rotate to ensure that learning in other subjects is not negatively impacted. In addition to these group lessons, students are also required to be part of a string ensemble, concert band or jazz band.
Instrumental music students participate in performances throughout the local community and have the opportunity to be involved in annual camps and tours. Through these activities and events, students learn valuable social skills and develop life-long friendships. Many of the students currently participating in instrumental music at ISC were first introduced to learning their instrument at their local state primary school, and the College works to support the cluster primary schools, enabling a smooth transition to the music program for Year 7 students each year.
Instruments Offered
STRINGS - violin, viola, cello and double bass
WOODWIND - flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe
BRASS - trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, French horn
PERCUSSION
Cost (per year)
Student Resource Scheme $30.00
Instrument Hire $30.00
Payment plans can be organised through the college administration
Benefits of Learning a Musical Instrument
The benefits of learning a musical instrument are diverse and well-documented. There is a growing body of research which indicates that students who learn a musical instrument achieve greater academic outcomes and experience enriched social connections, regardless of their ability on the instrument. This suggests that it is the process of learning itself, particularly reading music and playing with others, that facilitates growth in particular parts of the brain. These benefits grow with the length of time that students remain engaged with music-making, and ISC therefore works to encourage students to continue music throughout secondary school, regardless of whether they see themselves taking up a career in the field.
Follow the link below to learn more about music and t
he brain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng
Follow this link to hear a variety of perspectives on instrumental music in schools:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-E2YDi3wZ0&t=34s
Instrumental Music and the QCE
When students reach Year 11 and 12, they may elect to sit for a QCE point if they have reached Level 7 of the instrumental music curriculum. Students are able to obtain the QCE point by passing their regular instrumental music assessment and attending the ensemble rehearsals. This is a fantastic recognition of the many hours which students put in to learning an instrument. Many ISC students have successfully obtained this point since the program was rolled out across the state several years ago.