Music

Please note that to be involved in an extension ensemble, students must be participating in at least one of the College’s Core Ensembles.

Jazz Ensembles

The College currently has three Big Bands and several small Jazz Ensembles that cater for a wide level of skills, from basic through to advanced. There is a focus in the program on developing improvisational and listening skills that are integral to the development of a good understanding of the jazz idiom.

Our Jazz Ensembles incorporate styles from traditional Big Band, Swing and Jazz through to more contemporary works. With a strong focus on improvisation and technique, students have the opportunity to develop advanced music skills and perform at many key events throughout the year. Some highlights include the Queensland Youth Big Band Festival at Brisbane Jazz Club and the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, featuring guest mentors from NYC’s Jazz at the Lincoln Centre.

Percussion Ensembles

The College has three percussion ensembles which feature students across all levels. With a focus on both tuned and non-tuned percussion, these ensembles cover a diverse range of styles and showcase some great talent within the department.

These ensembles allow students to develop advanced musical skills under direction by our specialist percussion staff; with a focus on reading, improvisation and exposure to contemporary works. There are many performance opportunities for these groups throughout the year, including highlights such as the Winds & Percussion Concert in Semester 2 and the Percussion Spectacular, featuring other combined ensembles with other schools and workshops.

Chamber Choir

The College Chamber Choir is an auditioned group that features some of the College’s most regarded singers. With very limited places available, this ensemble truly showcases students who have honed in on their craft.

Chamber Choir allows students to further develop advanced choral skills through diverse repertoire, showcasing all voice types within the ensemble, as well as featured soloists. There is a strong emphasis on listening and aural skills for vocal technique, as well as performance skills which are demonstrated through many events throughout the year. Some highlights for Chamber Choir include the Cathedral Concert in Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral – a great acoustic setting for this ensemble.

Other Small Ensembles

The College also offers a wide variety of other small and chamber ensembles that rehearse each week, including string quartets, liturgy ensemble, percussion ensembles, vocal groups and contemporary ensembles. There are many unique performance opportunities for these groups throughout the year.

Marist College Ashgrove invites all new members of the College Community to participate in Co-Curricular Music, which aims to involve students in our vast musical culture and develop skills that are transferable to all aspects of college life.

Every student has the opportunity to learn an instrument, with tuition by a number of full-time instrumental staff, as well as seventeen specialist tutors. Whilst being able to cater to advanced musicians, the College also provides the opportunity for students to commence tuition at any time, even with no prior musical instruction.

Students will further develop their musical skills through the opportunity to play in one or more of the College’s twenty ensembles. Our vibrant, practical approach is key to the success of the Music Program here at Marist, which leaves a lasting impression with those involved and some who have progressed to professional careers in music.

Strings

The College’s Strings department includes both Orchestral Strings and Guitar/Bass Guitar. Offering students experience in a variety of genres, through both private and group tuition, as well as ensembles. Our tutors include three high and lower strings specialists, including double bass and bass guitar. As well as two guitar tutors who cover jazz, classical and contemporary styles.

Woodwind

The College’s Woodwind Department offers Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophone lessons. Our woodwind tutors include both full-time staff and a number of specialist tutors with noted professional experience, including members of Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Contributing to a large portion of the College’s Wind Orchestras, Jazz Bands and Symphony Orchestra, there is no shortage of ensembles available to these students.

Brass

The Brass Department forms a large contribution to many of the Wind and Jazz Ensembles, as well as Symphony Orchestra. Brass tuition at Marist includes; Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba & Euphonium/Baritone. Our brass tutors include both high and lower brass specialists, offering both small group and individual lessons. All with noted professional experience, including members of Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Percussion

Marist College Ashgrove offers a diverse percussion program, which incorporates both Tuned and Un-tuned Percussion, as well as Drum-Kit. This combined method of tuition sets Marist students up with a range of skills, which can be applied to all areas of music. Including the numerous ensembles available to percussion students here at Marist. Our specialist tutors provide both group and individual lessons to students at all levels.

DJ/Electronic Music

DJ and Electronic Music lessons provide students with the opportunity to develop performance skills through music technology. Including traditional DJ’ing with industry standard equipment, as well as skills in Electronic Music Software. There are a number of performance opportunities throughout the year, including DJ sets in the yard, school dances and studio concerts. Students from Years 7 onwards are eligible to enroll in small group or individual DJ/Electronic Music Tuition with our specialist tutors.

Vocal

Voice lessons at Marist provide the opportunity for boys to develop their singing voices. Our specialist tutors cater for all voice ranges and offer professional experience, including Opera Queensland and other international productions. Small group and individual voice lessons are a great way to navigate through a changing voice, as well as develop musical and performance skills. Our core choral ensembles; Marist Voices and Performances Choir are open to all students.

Piano

Piano tuition is available to students at all levels, incorporating a range of genres and styles. Piano lessons are offered on an individual basis only. Marist has four specialist Piano tutors, who offer a range of expertise, as well as professional performing and accompanying experience. There are limited ensemble opportunities available to Piano students, including Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles. All students have the opportunity to perform at the Studio Concerts, held once per semester.

Theory and Other

Marist also offers group Theory lessons, these are a great addition to any instrumental tuition and also provide the opportunity for boys to sit AMEB theory exams. AMEB exams are also available to take on all instruments.

Marist also offers Pipe Organ and Harp lessons by enquiry, which have seen use of the Chapel’s Pipe Organ and our very own Concert Harp, which often makes an appearance at the biennial Blue and Gold Concert. This major event involves the wider Ashgrove Community, including guest ensemble members from Queensland Symphony Orchestra, many old-boys and families of the College.

In Year Five, students participate in a special instrumental program, which aims to involve students in the vast music culture of the College from the very beginning of their school life at Marist. Every student will be assigned a band or string instrument and participate in small group lessons with specialist teachers. Students with prior tuition can continue to learn their instrument (with individual lessons being available at an additional cost). 

Tuition is available on the following instruments in Year 5:

• Orchestral Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass.
• Woodwind: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone.
• Brass: trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, tuba.
• Percussion: students learn both tuned and un-tuned percussion concurrently.
• Voice: Primary Group Voice Lessons and Individual Tuition.
• Other*: piano, guitar, bass guitar, pipe organ, harp & music theory.

*Year 5 Enrolments will only be accepted for students who have had prior tuition in these instruments. Beginner tuition is offered from Year 6 onwards.