The Instrumental Music Academy at Chancellor State College is the legacy of a proud history of excellence in music at our school. Our College has a proven record of academic, cultural, service and sporting achievements that together are celebrated to create a holistic approach to education for our students.
Students enrolled at the College are offered group tuition on brass, woodwind, orchestral percussion and orchestral string instruments from Years 3 to 12. Participating students, when ready, enter one of the many performance ensembles provided at the College. 'Core' Ensembles provide the opportunity for students to receive Ensemble Curriculum delivery while preparing quality, engaging performance programs to be delivered at events throughout the school year. Our 'Elective' Ensembles enable students to explore other performance mediums and musical genres under the direction of one of our specialist staff members.
Many of our Instrumental Music students participate in excellence programs outside of the College. At present we have successful students playing, or accepted to play, in prestigious programs including:
- Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra (based at Chancellor State College)
- Queensland Youth Orchestra
- State Honours Ensemble Programs (SHEP) – Regional, State and National
- MOST and Creative Generation
- Instrumental Music Excellence Program NCR (IMEP)
- Australian Youth Orchestra
- Australian Romantic Chamber Orchestra development programs
The Instrumental Music department at the College is fortunate to have many talented and dedicated students.
For more information, download the Instrumental Music Handbook (PDF, 571KB).
Teachers
Chancellor State College is extremely fortunate to have specialist instrumental music staff to enhance and support student learning. Our current staff boasts some of the Sunshine Coast's most experienced and multi-skilled teachers.
Jodie Lutherborrow, our Instrumental Music Coordinator, specialises in brass and multi-instrumental teaching and directs Concert Bands from the beginning level through to advanced. She is in demand internationally as a Wind Band Conductor and clinician, linking our College to major state and international performance opportunities.
Alex Lehmann is our Woodwind specialist and majors on the saxophone. His passion lies predominantly in the field of jazz education and he produces exceptional programs for jazz ensembles at our College. Alex teaches woodwind and multi-instrumental at the College and feeder schools.
Kristi Nageli is the newest member to the teaching team and is based at our College. She studied Percussion Performance in the USA at Florida State University and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2002. Her primary instruments are drum set and Caribbean steelpan. Kristi is currently completing a Masters of Teaching at Southern Cross University. She is particularly interested in world music and sees percussion as a musical passport around the world.
Andrea Risby-Jones, our Strings specialist, began her training in the United States. Andrea runs outstanding string orchestra programs across both the Primary and Secondary Campuses. These groups annually excel at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod. Andrea is a viola specialist and teaches multi-strings at our College and feeder schools.
Ensembles
Chancellor State College offers a wide variety of performance ensembles. All music students are placed into an ensemble at the discretion of the instrumental music teachers and conductors of the various ensembles. The College offers multiple 'core' ensembles (Concert Bands and String Orchestras) and 'elective' ensembles (Jazz/Percussion Ensembles and Symphony Orchestra). Chamber Music is also integral to the program. All of these ensembles are available on both the Primary and Secondary Campuses.
Curriculum and Ensemble Pathways
At Chancellor State College we pride ourselves on a diverse and extensive range of learning and performance opportunities. All our Instrumental Music students have access to quality teaching and learning platforms taught by some of the Sunshine Coast’s most experienced and multi-skilled instrumental staff.
Performances
Performances during the year are diverse and include events like the biennial Fanfare program run by the Queensland Department of Education, commemorative events such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, and College Celebration events including Leadership Induction, Awards and Excellence Ceremonies. Whole College Gala Concerts and performances at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod are an annual highlight in our calendar.
Fees
The Instrumental Music program attracts a participation levy.
- General Instrumental Music Levy – there is a cost per year for each program a student is involved in. This goes towards the cost of purchasing music, purchasing new instruments and maintaining ensemble equipment (stands, banners etc.).
- Instrument Loan – there is a fee per year for students who have use of a school instrument. This goes towards repair and eventual replacement. Fees will by invoiced by the school.
Classroom Music
Classroom Music ELOs and Electives (Years 7 – 12)
In Classroom Music, students use the concepts and materials of music to compose, improvise, arrange, perform, conduct and respond to their own and others’ work. They learn the elements of music and apply this knowledge to the materials of music, including the voice, instruments, found sound sources and information and communication technology.
Music is developmental and relies on the sequential progression of critical literacies, including aural, kinaesthetic, oral, visual, written and digital. For this reason we highly encourage students to elect the Music Innovators Program or Music Journey in Year 7 through to 9 to ensure students develop the necessary skills to undertake further music studies in their senior years. Senior Music electives include, Year 10 Music, Year 11 General Music, Year 12 General Music and Music Extension – Composition or Performance specialisation (by invitation).
Students involved in the Instrumental Music program are encouraged to undertake Classroom Music programs as part of a broad, holistic music education.
For application and curriculum information regarding our Classroom Music programs, please visit
The Arts page.