Instrumental & Vocal Tuition

The Music Department offers a full range of music performance specialities. Styles performed range from classical to selected contemporary popular styles. Performance skills are developed for solo and small group performance. Lessons offer a regular challenge with guidance from expert specialist teachers.

Melody Instruments

In orchestras and bands, these instruments have the melody (or play the tune) more often. These instruments include violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet and saxophone. Burgmann offers tuition in each of these areas and encourages students to form small ensemble groups of similar instruments in order to prepare for future large group ensemble work.

Harmony Instruments

In orchestras and bands, these instruments also play the melody. However, more often they harmonise the tune, play accompaniment patterns and add texture to the music. Their most important role is to provide support to the melody, giving the group sound a warm tone. These instruments include violas, cellos, double basses, french horns, bassoons, tenor and baritone saxophones, trombones and bass clarinets. There are also opportunities for these instruments to have solo music performance opportunities. At Burgmann we are currently able to provide tuition in viola. However, opportunities to learn french horn, saxophone and bass clarinet instruments will be made available for interested students.

Percussion Instruments

Students learning percussion learn to play rhythm instruments such as snare drum, bass drum and auxiliary percussion. This may lead to further experiences in learning to play concert xylophone and concert glockenspiel. Students may also specialise in drum kit.

Pianoforte

Students may commence learning to play the piano from mid-year in Kindergarten. An acoustic piano (or appropriate electric keyboard) must be in the home. Using both hands and reading two clefs, students learn to play both melody and accompaniment simultaneously.