Our excellent reputation in the Performing Arts is supported by a range of co-curricular opportunities in music, drama and dance as well as competition theatresports teams. Our teaching team across performing arts draw upon professional performance careers, technical knowledge of performing arts, and backgrounds in a range of subject specific specialisations such as conducting, instrumental and vocal pedagogy, ethnomusicology, improvisation, theatre production and musical theatre.
Our extensive music programme has opportunities for all students to get involved. Students have opportunities to explore their drama talent through our ensemble and theatresport programmes, and in Dance, students will develop technique and choreograph performances under the guidance of our highly experienced and talented teachers in musical theatre.
Find out more about our Performing Arts programme:
More about our Music programme
Developing skills, building confidence and fostering friendships in Music
Learning music is very much a part of student life at St Andrew’s Cathedral School and contributes immensely to the general tone and fabric of our School. Our extensive music programme has opportunities for all students to get involved. There are many performance opportunities provided by the School:
- Performances at every assembly and chapel service
- Maestros concerts in Fairfax
- Soirées presented by instrumental and singing teachers
- Showcase concert held annually in Sydney Town Hall
- Performances (gigs) around the city for various charities and business functions
- End of year Evening of Celebration and Prize-giving and special award assemblies
- Christmas carolling around the city, in the QVB for instance
- School and community events
Individual Music Tuition programme
The Music Department engages a large number of visiting instrumental teaching staff, covering specialisations in a wide range of vocal, string, woodwind, brass, piano, organ, guitar, and also in music craft, composition and electronic music production and percussion instruments.
Individual lessons are delivered weekly during term time. Most students receive a 30-minute individual lesson per week, but as the student progresses on the instrument, lessons may be extended to 45 or 60 minutes.
Many parents /guardians enquire as to how they can help encourage their child with their individual musical studies. The most important help you can give is to organise your child into a regular practice routine. Ideally, this should be done at a set time each day – before school, after school or in the early evening. Practice should be done at least five times per week. The amount of practice time required will vary for each student and music tutors will advise what is best for each student.
As a minimum beginners should start with approximately 10 to 15 minutes for each practice session. The rate of progress and the amount of pleasure derived from playing an instrument depends largely upon the amount of practice, the regularity of practice and the concentration and effort that are applied during the practice routine.
All music information can be found on the Parent Portal site, in the performing arts forms area under Music. If you have any questions regarding our ensembles, please give our Music Administrators a call on 9286 9537 or email music@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
To find out more, or to enrol in either a Music Ensemble or for Individual Music Tuition, see below.
Junior School and Gawura
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are encouraged to participate in our Tuition programme. Those learning a string, woodwind or brass instrument (inside OR outside school) are also encouraged to join our ensemble programme. Extension groups for students who play at a higher standard are also run as needed. Students of an advanced ability are also welcome to request consideration to participate in Years 7-12 ensembles.
Ensemble Enrolment
There is no enrolment needed for K-6 ensembles, student can come along to the first rehearsal in 2024 (typically in week 3).
Junior School Music Ensemble sign-up is communicated directly by Junior School music teachers at the start of the school year.
Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Middle School
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend lessons of younger students if they can. This will enable you to watch the techniques used by the teacher and to discuss specific problems, length and routine of practice items, and generally understand ways of maintaining the child’s interest during the more difficult stages of learning.
Music is studied by all Year 7 students and can be selected as an elective subject in Years 8 and 9. Opportunities are also available to attend international music and drama tours, and a musical or major drama production takes place in professional venues in alternate years.
Ensemble and Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Senior College
Tutors are asked, where possible, to accommodate Year 12 study hall times to assist students in their final year. Music can be selected as an elective in Years 10, 11 and 12. Opportunities are also available to attend international music tours, and a musical or major drama production takes place in professional venues in alternate years.
Ensemble and Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Enrolment:
Year 7 – 12 Ensembles
Click here to enrol your child in Year 7 – 12 Music ensembles for 2024.
** Note: only students enrolling in an ensemble for the first time need to use this enrolment form. This form closes during Term 1 each year. If the form is closed please contact music@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
K-12 Individual Music Tuition
Singing lessons are available to students from Year 5 onwards, based on tutor availability. Students who undertake singing lessons should also participate in our Junior Choir. Please read the 2024 Individual Music Tuition Terms & Conditions for more information about our programme.
Click here to enrol your child for Individual Music Tuition beginning in Term 1, 2024.
** Note: only students enrolling in tuition for the first time need to use this enrolment form.
Find out more about our Performing Arts programme for each stage on our main website: