Ensembles

Choral and instrumental ensembles are at the core of music-making at Brighton Secondary School. The school provides a wide variety of experiences across twenty-three extra-curricular ensembles including orchestras, concert bands, big bands, performance choirs, small ensembles, chamber groups and percussion ensembles. All extra-curricular ensembles perform at our annual 'Music Spectacular' concert series which is held on site in the beautiful Brighton Concert Hall.

Ensemble Participation

Entry into extra-curricular ensembles is by audition, invitation or expression of interest at the discretion of the ensemble director. Eligibility to join ensembles is based on the following:

  • Instrumental ensemble members must be receiving regular instrumental tuition on the instrument being played in the ensemble.
  • Priority will be given to students enrolled in classroom music.
  • All Special Interest Music (SIM) students are required to participate in at least one cocurricular ensemble.
  • All year 8 and 9 continuing string players are required to participate in Sinfonia.
  • All SIM first instrument percussionists are required to participate in Percussion Ensemble 1 or 2.
  • Core and 2nd instrument percussionists are highly encouraged to participate in Percussion Ensemble 1 or 2.
  • All SIM first instrument guitarists are required to participate in the Guitar Ensemble.
  • Core Music guitarists are highly encouraged to participate in the Guitar Ensemble.
  • Membership in an ensemble is for a full year.
  • Vocal majors enrolled in classroom music are required to participate in a co-curricular choir.
  • Non-vocal majors may participate in co-curricular choirs without having formal tuition.

Ensemble List

Below is a list of ensembles currently on offer at Brighton Secondary School. Please note that a star generally indicates a non-auditioned ensemble. Developing musicians are encouraged to join these ensembles.

Big Band

Big Band 1

  • Director: Rhys Williams
  • Rehearsals: 3:45pm-5:30pm Thursdays

Big Band 2

Big Band 3

Ensembles - Student playing drums with Big Band
Photo by Ula G

Big Band is a large jazz ensemble typically consisting of the following instruments:

  • Alto Saxophone
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • Double Bass/Electric Bass
  • Drum Kit

If you wish to join one of our Big Bands you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year. Students in Year 7 maybe approached to join Big Band 3 in term 1 as appropriate.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Big Band.

Brass Ensemble

Ensembles - Brass Ensemble performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Emma M

Brass Ensemble is a large ensemble. Its repertoire is wide and varied and generally includes orchestral pieces, fanfares, cinematic scores, and arrangements of popular music.

Brass Ensemble typically consists of the following brass instruments:

  • Trumpet
  • French Horn
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba

Entry into Brass Ensemble is via expression of interest, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Brass Ensemble.

Brighton Chamber Orchestra

Year 10-12 continuing string players are strongly encouraged to participate in Brighton Chamber Orchestra.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Brighton Chamber Orchestra.

Choirs

Bel Canto

Brightones

  • Directors: Luke Thompson
  • Accompanist: Rhys Williams
  • Rehearsals: 3:45pm-5:00pm Tuesdays

Concert Choir

Jazz Choir 1

  • Director: Luke Thompson
  • Accompanist: Rhys Williams
  • Rehearsals: 8:30am-9:30am Wednesdays

Jazz Choir 2

Treble Choir

Ensembles - Jazz Choir 1 performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Emma M

Bel Canto, Brightones and Treble Choir cover a wide variety of repertoire including contemporary Australian works. Bel Canto and Treble Choir are for soprano and alto voices. Brightones is for Tenor, Bass, and unbroken male voices. Vocal majors enrolled in classroom music are required to participate in a co-curricular choir. These ensembles are non-auditioned.

Jazz Choir covers a variety of jazz repertoire while developing skills in improvisation and scat-singing. If you wish to join a Jazz Choir you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Choir.

Concert Band

  • Director: Hannah Lewis
  • Rehearsals: 3:45pm-5:00pm Wednesdays

Concert Band is a large ensemble. Its repertoire generally includes wind compositions, marches, orchestral arrangements, and popular music.

Concert Band consists of the following woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments:

  • Piccolo
  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Bassoon
  • Clarinet
  • Bass Clarinet
  • Alto Saxophone
  • Tenor Saxophone
  • Baritone Saxophone
  • Trumpet
  • French Horn
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • Electric Bass
  • Percussion

If you wish to join Concert Band you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Concert Band.

Dixieland Band

Ensembles - Dixieland Band performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Emma M

Dixieland Band is a small six-piece ensemble designed to develop students' skills in improvisation through the study of traditional early-jazz repertoire. Dixieland Band consists of the following instruments:

  • Trumpet
  • Clarinet
  • Trombone
  • Banjo
  • Tuba
  • Percussion

Entry into Dixieland Band is via expression of interest, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Dixieland Band.

Flute Ensemble

Students in Flute Ensemble utilise the full range of flutes including piccolo, alto and bass flutes. Repertoire includes classical, light jazz and popular music.

Students who specialise in flute are expected to attend. Flute Ensemble also encourages students who are studying Flute as part of their Core Music program. Entry into Flute Ensemble is via expression of interest, typically in term 1 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Flute Ensemble.

Fusion

  • Director: Sam Morris
  • Rehearsals: 8:30am-9:30am Wednesdays

Fusion is a small ensemble designed to develop students' skills in improvisation through the study of modern jazz repertoire. This ensemble is non-auditioned.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Fusion.

Guitar Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble is a small ensemble designed to develop guitarists' ensemble skills. Students cover a wide variety of modern repertoire using both acoustic and electric guitars, whilst developing techniques and skills in improvisation, fretboard knowledge and reading standard notation. All SIM first instrument guitarists are required to participate in the Guitar Ensemble. This ensemble is non-auditioned.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Guitar Ensemble.

Jazz Combo

  • Director: Andrew Barrett
  • Rehearsals: 12:50pm-1:30pm Tuesdays and 7:45am-9:00am Fridays

Jazz Combo is a small ensemble designed to develop students' skills in improvisation through the study of jazz repertoire. Entry into Jazz Combo is via expression of interest, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Jazz Combo.

Percussion Ensemble

Percussion Ensemble 1

  • Director: Billy James
  • Rehearsals: 7:45am-9:00am Tuesdays and 12:50pm-1:30pm Fridays

Percussion Ensemble 2

Percussion Ensemble 3

  • Director: Billy James
  • Rehearsals: 12:50pm-1:30pm Wednesdays
Ensembles - Percussion Ensemble students performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Ula G

Percussion Ensemble consists of both tuned (mallets) and untuned percussion instruments. Repertoire across the 3 ensembles includes arrangements of popular songs and ensemble-specific compositions.

All beginners are encouraged to join Percussion Ensemble 3. This ensemble is non-auditioned.

All SIM first instrument percussionists are required to participate in Percussion Ensemble 1 or 2.

Percussion Ensemble 2 caters for intermediate students. This ensemble is non-auditioned however demands 1-2 years percussion experience. If you wish to join Percussion Ensemble 1 you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Percussion.

Recorder Ensemble

Students in Recorder Ensemble utilise the full range of recorders. Repertoire includes a large range of pieces from early music (including Baroque) through to modern repertoire.

Students who specialise in recorder are expected to attend. Recorder Ensemble also encourages students who wish to transfer their skills from other instruments. Entry into Recorder Ensemble is via expression of interest, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Recorder Ensemble.

Sinfonia

Ensembles - Students in Sinfonia performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Ula G

Sinfonia is a large string ensemble. It's repertoire typically includes classical compositions but extends to a variety of modern pieces such as film scores.

Sinfonia consists of the following stringed instruments:

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double Bass

All years 7-9 continuing string players are required to participate in Sinfonia. This ensemble is non-auditioned however demands some string instrument experience. All students are encouraged to express their interest with music staff.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Sinfonia.

Stimson Wind Quintet

  • Director: Renae Stavely
  • Rehearsals: 12:50pm-1:30pm Tuesdays
Ensembles - Stimson Wind Quintet performing in Brighton Concert Hall
Photo by Emma M

This ensemble is named in honour of Rosemary Stimson: oboe teacher at Brighton Secondary School 1979-2017. Wind quintet repertoire generally includes compositions from 19th-21st centuries and arrangements of modern pieces.

A wind quintet comprises one of each of the following instruments:

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • French Horn
  • Bassoon

If you wish to join Stimson Wind Quintet you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Stimson Wind Quintet.

Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble It's repertoire typically includes classical compositions but extends to a variety of modern pieces such as film scores.

Symphony Orchestra consists of the following woodwind, brass, percussion instruments and stringed instruments:

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Timpani
  • Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, and Auxiliary Percussion
  • Mallet Percussion
  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double bass

If you wish to join Symphony Orchestra you are required to audition, typically in term 4 of each year.

Follow this link to read about recent events involving Symphony Orchestra.