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The Joy of Learning Music

Wednesday, 25 Oct 2023


In a world filled with exciting activities, learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most enriching opportunities for young people.

As parents, we all want what's best for our children. In a world filled with choices, one enduring opportunity stands out: introducing your child to the world of music. Whether your child is young or a bit older, here are some simple reasons why learning to play an instrument is a great idea.

Brain Boost: Sharpening the Mind 

Music isn't just about melodies; it's a workout for the brain:

  • Better Thinking: Learning an instrument improves memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
  • Math Skills: Music and math go hand in hand, helping kids understand patterns and numbers in a fun way.

Emotional Growth: A Safe Outlet for Feelings

Music is a language for emotions:

  • Expression: Playing an instrument lets kids express their feelings, reducing stress and promoting well-being.
  • Communication: Musical collaboration teaches listening and communication, boosting empathy and social skills.

Time Management and Discipline: Valuable Life Skills

Learning an instrument teaches essential life lessons:

  • Practice: Regular practice builds discipline and time management skills, essential for success in various areas.
  • Achievement: Hitting musical milestones boosts confidence and self-esteem.

Social Harmony: Learning to Work Together

In today's world, teamwork is crucial:

  • Collaboration: Playing music with others fosters cooperation, compromise, and teamwork.
  • Friendships: Music classes and groups connect kids with like-minded peers, expanding their social circles.

Confidence Building: Unleashing Potential

Every child deserves to believe in themselves:

  • Personal Growth: Mastering an instrument boosts self-worth and resilience.
  • Performance Confidence: Overcoming stage fright during public performances (for classmates, parents or the wider community) prepares young people for public speaking and presentations.

Cultural Exploration: A World of Music

Music transcends borders:

  • Global Perspective: Exposure to different musical traditions fosters an appreciation for diverse cultures and history.
  • Open Minds: Exploring various musical genres broadens horizons and encourages cultural curiosity.

Lifelong Joy: A Gift That Keeps Giving

Make way for lifelong happiness:

  • A Gift for Life: The ability to play an instrument offers a fulfilling hobby and even career opportunities.
  • Stress Relief: Music is a constant source of comfort during challenging times.

Better School Performance: Academic Benefits

Your child's success at school matters:

  • Improved Grades: Learning an instrument often leads to better academic performance, with improved focus and discipline.
  • Creativity Boost: Music enhances creativity, benefiting other creative subjects.

Fostering Success Through Music

In summary, introducing your child to a musical instrument is a gift that keeps on giving. It enriches their cognitive development, emotional intelligence, discipline, and social skills.

Music builds confidence, instills cultural awareness, and sets the stage for academic success. Most importantly, it ignites a lifelong passion for the art of sound.

As parents, you can open doors to a brighter future for your child, regardless of their age. Whether they strum a guitar, play the piano, or explore another instrument, the magic of music will resonate throughout their life, enriching it in countless ways.

Music at Helena College's Senior School Campus

Class Music

Through the rotational program in Years 6 to 8, and electives in Years 9 and 10, students can participate in class music.

The rotational program ensures that all students are given the opportunity to enjoy a range of specialist subject areas each semester, in line with the WA Curriculum requirement that all students will study at least two of the five Arts subjects from Pre-primary to Year 8.

At Helena College, Year 6 students will learn to play the ukulele, and in Year 7, the Indonesian Gamelan, alongside aural and theory skills, composition and performance.

In Year 9 and 10 students can select from two music electives:

The Popular Music (Year 9) or Music for Enjoyment (Year 10) courses are suitable for ANY student who enjoys music! They are designed to extend musical knowledge, regardless of prior experience. It explores a range of open-ended practical and creative tasks and delves into a world of musical fun with laptops, iPads, instruments and recording technology.

The Music for Musicians (Year 9 and Year 10) courses welcomes students who are learning an instrument or voice (or have recently begun learning) and have a strong desire to improve their musical skills. Each semester-long course covers a broad range of musical activities including performance and composition and broadens general music skills. Students look at a range of genres with a focus on developing musicianship through frequent creative composition and performance activities.

In Year 11 and 12 students can participate in the Music General program, and ATAR Music* is also offered each year. The Music General course encourages students to explore a range of musical experiences, developing their musical skills and understanding, and creative and expressive potential, through Contemporary (Pop and Rock) Music. The course consists of a written component incorporating Music Skills (aural and theory), composing and arranging, investigation and analysis, in addition to a practical component.

*The ATAR Music course is offered each year, but may only run if their are sufficient numbers of interested students wanting to commit to the two-year course. 

Instrumental Music Program

An added opportunity is the Instrumental Music program which allows students to learn to play an instrument with specialist music tutors during school hours. This optional program is open to all students from Years 6 to 12, and additional fees apply for the weekly lessons. Lessons take place during school hours, on a rotational basis, to avoid missing the same class each time.

The range of instruments on offer is broad, providing plenty of scope for those with a strong musical interest, including:

Woodwind Strings Brass Guitar Other
Flute
Violin
Trumpet
Classical
PIano
Clarinet
Contemporary
Percussion*
Saxophone
Bass
Voice
Electric

*Includes drum kit, marimba, keyboard, xylophone and snare drum.

Ensembles

We encourage all students learning an instrument, whether through the College or independently of the school, to join one of our music ensembles. It is a great opportunity to make music with like-minded people and helps to expand their musical repertoire and further develop their skills. From choir to concert band, rock ‘n roll to musical theatre, there is something for all interests (and skill levels).

Find out more

For more information, please contact the Music Administrator, Ruth Gallagher, or the Head of the Arts, Thea O'Keeffe. For families with students attending Helena College's Year 6 in 2024, if you would like your child to participate, please complete the online expressions of interest form. All other enquiries regarding the Music program can be directed to the Music Administrator.  Enrolment enquiries can be directed to enrolments@helena.wa.edu.au.