Music

At South Island there is extensive provision for music making outside the classroom. A range of orchestral, instrumental and choral ensembles and activities exist to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in performances of repertoire appropriate to their experience and musical preferences. There are frequent public events to showcase the talents of our students, both in school and in venues outside.

 

The main ensembles include:

 

Chamber Orchestra - an advanced level orchestra which performs classical repertoire from the Baroque to the present day. Our most talented students are frequently invited to perform concerto movements with this ensemble. This orchestra was also involved in the 2009 musical tour to the Italy. Places in this orchestra are awarded on audition and rehearsals are held on Friday afternoons.

 

Wind Band – open to all students who have played a wind instrument for at least a year, this group rehearses on Friday afternoon and performs at all major school concerts.

 

String Group – a small ensemble for developing string players who wish to improve their technique and ensemble playing.

 

Vocal Academy – a new initiative in 2009, Vocal Academy welcomes singers of all ages and interests. Students have the opportunity to perform in one large vocal group for all, and one smaller sub-group suited to age and ability, including Junior Singers, Senior Vocal Group and Chamber Choir.   Vocal Academy students perform in all school concerts and are also frequently invited to perform in events outside of school. Chamber Choir participated in the

 

In addition to the groups listed above there are also frequently other small ensembles, such as string quartets and vocal groups in existence, often run by students supported by the music staff.

 

The performance calendar obviously changes from year to year, but many events have now become a part of SIS tradition. The Winter Concert provides a platform for all our main ensembles and many of the smaller ones. It also includes a performance by the whole of Year 7, so that each student has the experience of singing in front of a large audience at least once during their time here. A Celebration of Christmas, held at St. John's Cathedral each December, is a much anticipated event. All our choirs join together with invitations to sing extended to the wider SIS community- staff, parents and former students. Accompanied by Chamber Orchestra they perform oratorio numbers as well as traditional carols. In the spring there are two recitals to showcase the individual talents of our students. The musical year is brought to a close by our annual Gala Concert, in which all the main ensembles perform. In recent years, two musical productions, ‘The Wall’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’ have been staged. As well as these major events our students are also often to be found performing in a range of other situations such as the Awards Ceremony, the Hong Kong Cricket Club carols event, HIV Red Ribbon Day events, other schools etc.

 

For our more advanced musicians, the department run a Gifted and Talented programme, the Young Musician Development Programme which culminates in a Young Musician of the Year competition. Students on the programme have the opportunity to attend concerts, participate in workshops with professional musicians, talk to professionals about being a working musician and studying music.

 

SIS is also a member of the International Schools Choral Music Society and has participated in all three festivals since it’s inception in 2008, travelling to Beijing in 2008 and 2010 and hosting the event in 2009.