Music forms an integral part of college life at St Patrick's College, and students are actively encouraged to participate in the school’s Co-Curricular Instrumental Music Program. Playing music can be challenging, enjoyable, and exciting for students, as they learn to read music, be part of an ensemble, and express themselves through music.

Within our Instrumental Music Program, we boast a diverse range of Instrumental Ensembles, Lessons and Performance Opportunities offered throughout the schooling year.

The Co-Curricular Music Program at the College has grown in recent years in both number and quality. Exceptional ensemble directors that have real world experience provide a high standard of tuition in ensemble technique and performance standard. Rehearsals are tailored to each ensemble's capabilities and goals, and are oriented towards an extensive internal and external performance schedule. Weekly Rehearsals ensure that students experience regular immersion in ensemble repertoire and build solid, dynamic musical groups who gain maximum benefit from their director's expertise.

Instrumental Ensembles offered at St Patrick's College are:

• Concert Band
• Drum Corps
• Handbells
• Choir
• Percussion Ensemble
• String Ensemble
• Stage Band

The ensemble program offers our students a number of opportunities, thus utilising a number of expensive resources. As such, we are requesting a membership fee from all participating students. This membership fee will contribute towards music purchase, instrument maintenance, equipment, costuming (where necessary), various consumable items and specialist tutors or mentors. 

Membership Fees (yearly fee):

$100.00 (if a student is a member of one co-curricular group)

The Instrumental Music Program at St Patrick's College Mackay boasts exceptional teachers and instructors that provide a high-quality standard of tuition in Piano, Guitar, Percussion (including drum kit), Strings, Voice, Brass and Woodwind. 

Lessons are tailored to each student's capabilities and goals, and can be oriented towards external exams if desired. A weekly rotational timetable ensures that students experience minimal disruptions to academic studies while gaining maximum benefit from their tutor's expertise.

Each 30-minute lesson is taught weekly and is scheduled on a rotational timetable during class time.

There are two types of lessons available in our Instrumental Music Program:

• Group Lessons are available to all students who wish to receive tuition in brass, woodwind, voice, strings, guitar, and percussion (Group lessons are not available on piano). These lessons are charged at $15 per lesson with a maximum of 10 per term. Lessons are grouped in 2 – 4 students on similar instruments. 
• Private lessons are available on all instruments at a cost of $30 per lesson. Students wishing to learn piano are required to enrol in Private Lessons. Students wishing to undertake external exams such as AMEB on any instrument, are also required to be enrolled in Private Lessons.

The Forte Instrumental Music Program is a scholarship immersion program offered at Mercy to students that wish to learn or start a new instrument. The program offers 30-minute weekly music lessons to students on a rotational timetable during class time. It allows first time students the opportunity to work in a group of between 2 - 4 students, on similar instruments. Once confident on their chosen Instrument, they then have the knowledge and ability to move into the Concert Band or String Ensemble and have the option to continue their lessons in either a group or private structure. 

The Forte Program offers tuition on the following Instruments:

• Flute
• Piccolo
• Clarinet
• Bass Clarinet
• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Baritone Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• French Horn
• Violin
• Cello
• Double Bass
• Tuned Percussion
• Un-tuned Percussion (Including Drumkit)

The Mercy Forte Program includes:

• Hire of a High-Quality Instrument for 1 Calendar Year
• Hire of a Method Book
• One year of Weekly Group Lessons
• Band Enrolment Fee
• Instrument Service Fee
• Practice Journal
• Starting Consumables

Students making a commitment to tuition should sustain their commitment for at least one semester to allow a full opportunity to assess the appropriateness of the instrument. Students involved in the program are expected to undertake regular and consistent practice to ensure full benefit of the tuition offered. 

Students are expected to demonstrate care and respect for the facilities provided. Participation in ensemble rehearsals and available performances is encouraged.

Upon joining the program, a Performance Polo Shirt will be given to all new students which is to be worn for most events. They will also be required to purchase some, or all their own Ensemble uniform which will be used for formal performances.  This includes:

• long black tailored pants
• black socks
• polished black shoes
• black formal long sleeve button up shirt.

Please note - No slogans should be visible on any item of clothing worn when performing.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Samuel Bauer or Mr Marcus McConnell via email at 324_cultural@rok.catholic.edu.au.  We look forward to working with you and your family in the near future and we thank you for your support.