Music

Balwyn High School’s Music Program is one of the largest and best developed in Victoria. Over 800 students participate in our renowned instrumental and choral program. The school is committed to classroom music as part of the curriculum from Years 7 through to Year 12. The school is proud of its impressive music facilities.

Instrumental and Voice Program

There are two main aspects to this part of the Music Program:

SOLO PERFORMANCE

Instrumental lessons for all well-known instruments and for voice are taught by a team of outstanding instrumental and vocal teachers. Instrumental lessons are supported by an extensive program of soirées, concerts, competitions, and masterclasses. Balwyn High School has a record as one of Victoria’s highest achieving providers of VCE Music Studies. The school also enters many students each year for examination with the Australian Music Examinations Board.

Across the program, there is a strong emphasis on classical and jazz styles – Balwyn High School has excelled in these styles for many years. The best in contemporary music is also integrated into the curriculum.

ENSEMBLES AND CHOIR

A great variety of ensembles are offered with entry points for musicians of all levels, from beginners to advanced. These include:

  • five string orchestras
  • five concert bands
  • three stage bands
  • four choirs
  • acoustic guitar ensemble
  • chamber and contemporary music groups which rehearse regularly, including string quartets, contemporary jazz and vocal ensembles, brass and flute ensembles.

A multitude of performing opportunities are available for all ensembles in the school. Ensembles, from junior to senior, perform in a wide variety of venues and may undertake interstate and overseas tours.

Balwyn High School participates fully in many competitive festivals. Results in recent years confirm Balwyn High School as one of Victoria’s leading music schools when compared to both government and private schools.

Classroom Music Program

Balwyn High School has one of the most extensive classroom programs in Victoria. The program focuses on music-making through using a range of instruments, singing, music

technology, composition/arrangement and developing an understanding of music styles. The school’s skilled and energetic classroom music teachers deliver a stimulating and imaginative curriculum.

For VCE studies in music, students can select from:

  • Music (Contemporary) Performance
  • Music (Repertoire) Performance

VCE Music teachers have great expertise and standing in the music education community.

All Year 7 students sing in the 800-voice choir that performs at the school’s end-of-year Presentation Night held at Hamer Hall. Over recent years the Balwyn High School Presentation Nights have gained a reputation for being spectacular and musically outstanding.