Structure of Ensembles

Structure of the St Leonard’s College cocurricular music program in 2023

All year 7-12 students taking private music lessons on instruments and voice are required to participate in the cocurricular music program as part of their study of music. Students will be a member of at least one Core Ensemble. Through working in St Leonard’s College ensembles they will be exposed to a wide variety of repertoire and also develop skills in performing music with others. We know that these qualities are essential to every musician’s ongoing enjoyment of music. There are two types of ensemble:

Core ensembles

These are the large (mainly) non-auditioned ensembles that deliver a broad musical offering accessible to all     St Leonard’s College students. A student cannot be awarded Music Colours or Awards if they are not a member of a Core ensemble. Core ensembles will perform at major events such as the Music Festival and Speech Nights. Core ensembles in 2023 are:

ORCHESTRAL – SLSO* & STL Pops

CHORAL – Senior Choir & Middle School Choir

BAND – Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE)*, Wind Band* & Concert Band

GUITAR – Acoustic Guitar Ensemble

Specialist ensembles

These are ensembles that have a musical focus upon a style or instrumental grouping. All music students who participate in a Specialist ensemble MUST also be in a Core ensemble. Specialist ensembles in 2023 will include:

• • Orchestral Program – Chamber Strings / McMillan Maestros / Middle School Musical Orchestra / Power Strings / Senior Musical Orchestra
  • Choir Program – Senior Vocal Ensemble / McMillan House Choir / Middle School Choir / Senior School Choir / Middle School Chamber Choir /  Jazz Choirs
  • Guitar Ensembles – Guitar Maestros (yr 2 – 4)
  • Jazz Program – Big Band / Jazz Band / Stage Band / Swing Band / Wednesday Jazz Ensemble / Tuesday Jazz Ensemble
  • Chamber Music Program – Percussion Ensemble / Piano Trio /  String Quartet

It isn’t possible for a student to be in a Specialist ensemble but NOT a Core ensemble. It is possible for a student to be in a Core ensemble but NOT a Specialist ensemble. A student in a Specialist ensemble may choose to be in ANY Core ensemble. For example, a student in Auditioned Choir may choose to play violin in SLSO as their Core ensemble commitment.

* An audition is required for this ensemble

The following is a diagram that shows the relationships of the various St Leonard’s College Music Ensembles: