A.B. PATERSON COLLEGE
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
COLLEGE PORTAL   
 

Bands and Ensembles

“Band members have a special bond. A great band is more than just some people working together. It's like a highly specialized army unit, or a winning sports team. A unique combination of elements that becomes stronger together than apart.” - Steven Van Zandt

After a suitable period of instruction on an ensemble instrument, students who take lessons at the College are required to participate in the ensemble program when they have reached an appropriate standard. Students who learn a band instrument are required to play in one of the concert bands, and those learning a stringed instrument are required to play in one of the string ensembles. The Big Band program is by invitation or audition.  Those students who learn piano, guitar or voice are also welcome to join ensembles and simply need to ask relevant staff.

Download the Co-Curricular Directory 

The minimum expectations of ensemble members are as follows:
  • Arrive at least 10 minutes before the commencement of the rehearsal.
  • Have all the required equipment (instrument, music).
  • Help in the set-up and pack-up of the rehearsal space.
  • Practise your part between rehearsals.
  • Focus on the requirements of the ensemble and behave in an appropriate manner during rehearsals.
  • Notify ensemble director in advance of all absences (messages from friends are not acceptable).
  • Attend scheduled performances.
  • No phone use during rehearsals

Band (Core Concert Band Program)

Year 5 Concert Band
Wednesday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
Continuing Year 4 band students will automatically progress into this ensemble. 

A Concert Band is essentially a wind orchestra which combines wind instruments with percussion.  The Concert Band program is our “core” band program and begins in Year 4, where all students are required to choose an instrument for the year with the hope that they may find their niche and continue playing in bands into Senior school. 

All students who play a wind or percussion instrument are expected to participate in this program.  There is also some scope for other musicians to join the band program if they wish.  This is generally, but not limited to, piano players who may wish to participate in some of the percussion or band areas.

Year 6 Concert Band
Monday 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Continuing Year 5 students will automatically progress into this ensemble. 

Intermediate Concert Band
Tuesday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
Continuing Year 6 students will automatically progress into this ensemble. 

Wind Symphony
Monday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
This is the most senior level of Concert Band at the College.  This is populated by the most proficient instrumental students and is not governed by age level but by ability. 

Strings (Core Strings Program)

Junior Strings
Tuesday 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Continuing Year 4 students will automatically progress into this ensemble. 

The Strings program begins in Year 4, where all students are required to choose an instrument for the year with the hope that they may find their niche and continue playing into Senior school.  Junior Strings welcomes all the Year 4s from the previous year to enjoy a more challenging program.  This continues into Intermediate Strings and eventually to Senior Strings.  All students who play violin, viola, cello or bass are expected to participate in this program.  There may often be scope for piano players to participate here if required.

Intermediate Strings
Tuesday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
This is primarily a middle years ensemble which may also include younger or older students whose ability is around that middle years level. 

Senior Strings
Wednesday 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm
This is the most senior level of Strings at the College.  This is populated by the most proficient instrumental students and is not governed by age level but by ability.

Big Band (and Jazz related) 

Junior Big Band
Thursday 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
This is the beginner level of Jazz Ensemble and is made up of students who in their early stages of tuition and have expressed or displayed an interest in the styles of music ensembles like this play.  This is a group for students who would like to be extended on their instrument and enjoy the chance to play a wider variety of music.

A Big Band is essentially a large Jazz Ensemble and plays a more contemporary repertoire.  This is a specialist ensemble and students are chosen based on ability, often by selection and sometimes by audition.  Junior Big Band consists mainly of Year 6 students and in some cases suitable Year 5 students.  Intermediate Big Band is the next step and Senior Big Band is at the top of this program.

Intermediate Big Band
Friday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
This is primarily a middle years ensemble which may also include younger or older students whose ability is around that of middle years level. 

Big Band
Friday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
This is the most senior level of Big Band at the College.  This is populated by the most proficient instrumental students and is not governed by age level but by ability.  Students are selected by invitation or audition to this ensemble.

 Small Ensembles

Rock Band
Tuesday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
Provides an opportunity for musicians to explore more contemporary musical styles with the suitable guidance they need.

Guitar Ensemble 1
Tuesday 7.15 am – 7.45 am
This is where our more senior and proficient guitarists spend time exploring guitar ensemble in a more classical sense.

Guitar Ensemble 2
Tuesday 7.45 am – 8.15 am
This is where our junior guitarists spend time exploring guitar ensemble in a more classical sense.

Guitar Club
Friday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
Guitar club provides an informal format for very young beginning guitarists to learn and participate in and ensemble environment which is but fun and educational.

Drum Line
Thursday 7.15 am – 8.15 am
An opportunity for our percussionists to collaborate together and enjoy a “just percussion” moment.

Small Ensembles (Quartets, Trios etc.)
Small chamber ensembles such as saxophone ensemble, string quartets and flute trios are formed for advanced Instrumental Music students, giving them the opportunity to develop their ensemble skills and experience beyond their involvement in the larger instrumental ensembles. The types of small ensembles offered changes from year to year, depending on student ability and instrument groupings. 

Musical Orchestra
When the college produces a musical, a musical orchestra will be formed to provide music.  This is populated by the most proficient instrumental students and is not governed by age level but by ability.  Students are selected by invitation or audition to this ensemble.