Music

St Mary’s Junior School believes that every child should keep a healthy balance between academics, sports and culturals in order to be a well-rounded and educated child. For this reason, music is part of our everyday life. We sing together at Assemblies, Chapel Services and Hymn Practices on a weekly basis. We also perform for one another at Music Assemblies and Piece Playing once a term. Music is an important learning area in our School and is linked to many other learning areas - from songs about certain themes to research on musicians and instruments.

Senior Primary Choir

The Senior Primary Choir consists of girls from Grades 4 to 7 and sings at many school events, functions and concerts. The Choir takes part in the annual Magic of Music concert at the Linder Auditorium and The Ridge Choir Festival. The girls get together once a week for a rehearsal and they have an annual weekend camp in order to learn new material and to have fun together as a team. The Choir consists of more than eighty members. They sing songs ranging from traditional South African folk music, to popular songs, rounds and sacred music. The emphasis is on having fun but, at the same time, working hard as a team to achieve our goals.

Chamber Choir

The Chamber Choir is a smaller choir with an audition for selection. This Choir has approximately 30 members from Grades 5 to 7 and generally sings music of a higher standard. All the girls in the Chamber Choir sing in the Senior Primary Choir. Girls in the Chamber Choir are extremely dedicated to the Choir as seen by their outstanding performances. The choir, accompanied by the orchestra, visited Cape Town in 2009 on a Cultural Concert Tour and Kwazulu Natal in 2011.

The Singing Angels

The Singing Angels consists of all Grade 2 and 3 girls and they rehearse during school hours. They enjoy learning and singing various songs, ranging from old favourites, children's songs and South African folk songs. They perform at special Chapel services, Junior School Music Concerts, The Sound of Children with Richard Cock and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra at the Linder Auditorium, as well as the Let the Children Sing concert at St John's College. The aim of the Singing Angels is to have fun singing together and, at the same time, learn songs the children would otherwise not encounter.

The JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

The Junior Orchestra is lead by Carol Shutte. The orchestra is involved in performing in School Plays, Carol Services, School Music Concerts and Chapel Services. The orchestra features violins, recorders, clarinets, flutes, saxophones, percussion instruments and keyboards. In 2009 the Orchestra accompanied the Chamber Choir on a cultural tour to Cape Town and in 2011 the girls travelled to Kwazulu Natal. We encourage all instrumentalists in the Senior Primary to play in the Junior Orchestra.

The Chapel Band

The Chapel Band was started in 2008 to assist our worship in Chapel. They accompany our singing during Chapel Services and Assemblies.

Marimbas

Marimba lessons are offered to all girls in the Senior Primary Phase. A Marimba Band consists of a maximum of twelve players and they rehearse on a weekly basis. They perform at Junior School Music Concerts, Music Assemblies, Paint the Town Red, Carol Services and any other events where entertainment is required. The Marimba Bands are lead by Kgaogelo Mailula.

Instruments

St Mary’s Junior School offers private lessons on various instruments. These include piano, violin, cello, flute, recorder, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, drums and singing. The School supplies instruments for hire on a termly basis if necessary. Please contact the Music Department for more information.

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