Students from Reception to Year 12 participate in our successful instrumental and choral program. The school demonstrates a strong commitment to classroom music as part of the curriculum, where students are offered an array of performance and creative opportunities.

Blackfriars has a large number of co-curricular music ensembles available for students. It is an expectation that, where possible, students who learn an instrument through Blackfriars’ Instrumental Program are involved in at least one co-curricular ensemble.

Secondary ensembles

  • Stage Band 1 and 2 (auditioned ensembles)
  • Concert Band 1 and 2
  • Instrumental ensembles (percussion, guitar, saxophone, etc)
  • Secondary Vocal Ensemble

Primary ensembles

  • Year 5/6 Choir 
  • Concert Band 3
  • Junior instrumental ensembles (percussion, guitar, etc)

Performance opportunities

  • Generations In Jazz – Held in in Mount Gambier for members of Stage Band 1 and 2.
  • Annual Music Concert – Showcase of all Blackfriars’ ensembles, held at Woodville Town Hall.
  • ABODA Band and Orchestra Festival – Band competition for members of all Stage Bands and Concert Bands, held at Westminster School.
  • Catholic Schools Music Festival – Year 5/6 Choir, Secondary Vocal ensemble and various other ensembles perform at The FestivalTheatre across the weekly festival.
  • Primary Arts Night – A showcase of all primary arts, including Concert Band 3, 5/6 Choir and Junior Instrumental ensembles, held at Blackfriars. 
  • Music soirees – Informal performances for soloists and small ensembles held at Blackfriars, generally twice a year.
  • Music for school events – Blackfriars ensembles frequently perform at important school events, including assemblies, masses and community events.     

Curriculum music

Blackfriars offers music curriculum subjects for all year levels. Primary students undertake weekly music lessons and a variety of subjects are available for secondary students. Secondary Music subjects include:

  • General Music (Year 7 and 8) 
  • Music Performance (Years 7-10, for students focused on learning an individual instrument) 
  • Music Technology (Year 9) 
  • Solo Performance (SACE Stage 1 and 2) 
  • Ensemble Performance (SACE Stage 1 and 2) 
  • Music Explorations (SACE Stage 2)

Instrumental music

Private tuition with specialist instrumental tutors is available to students at Blackfriars. 30-minute lessons are taken throughout the school day, on varying days and times, at the discretion of each instrumental tutor. Instruments available to learn are: 

  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Drums
  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone

    To apply for instrumental tuition in 2024, please complete the online application form. For more information, please contact our Music Administration Assistant Christina Guala

    For music scholarship information, click here.