Music is an academic subject in which JRAHS students demonstrate excellent School Certificate and Higher School Certificate results with our students consistently nominated for Encore in both performance and composition. The school's teaching staff ensure outstanding academic achievement through to the HSC Extension Course level, including first and second place in the NSW HSC.

		The Department offers a wide range of musical experiences. Academically, Music is offered at all levels: The mandatory course is studied by students in Years 7-8 The additional course is available to students in Years 9-10 Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension are available for HSC study Accelerated studies through the Pathways Programme is available to the most gifted and talented students
		Music facilities include: Dedicated music rooms containing the music computers and keyboards The lecture theatre which is used as a rehearsal and small performance area seating 130 people Three practice rooms The JC Hoskin Auditorium
		All students have the opportunity to learn an instrument from one of our music staff and be involved in a number of different performing ensembles. It is the aim of the Music Department to involve as many students as possible and we will always try to find a place for everyone, regardless of their level of experience. There is an opportunity for Year 7 students to learn a band instrument.

• Western classical music 
• Music theatre 
• Music for solo instruments and ensembles 
• Jazz 
• Australian music
• Asian music 
• Other topics chosen by the individual student

Students have regular access to the music computers and become familiar with various software packages including Sibelius.

HSC - Music 1 (Years 11-12)
Students study six topics over two years, developing knowledge and skills about the concepts of music, including duration, pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques, tone colour, texture, and structure. The students learn through their experiences in performance, composition, musicology and aural. All students will perform at least one piece for the HSC examination, with three electives chosen from the areas of performance, composition and musicology. Available topics include:

• Jazz 
• Music for radio, film, television and multimedia 
• Music in education 
• Music of a culture
• Popular music 
• Technology and its influence on music 
• Theatre music

HSC - Music 2 (Years 11-12)
All students study Music 1600-1900 in Year 11 and Music of last 25 years in Year 12. An additional topic is also chosen by the student in each year of the course. The students continue to develop an understanding of the musical concepts (duration, pitch, dynamics and expressive techniques, tone colour, texture, and structure) through experiences in performance, composition, musicology and aural. All students will perform at least one piece and compose one original work (maximum duration of 2 minutes) for the HSC examination and an elective performance, composition, or musicology itme is also chosen by the student.

HSC - Music Extension (Year 12)
Music Extension is only available to students studying the Music 2 course and provides an opportunity for the student to specialise in performance, composition, or musicology.

Extra-Curricular Music
Information about our extensive programmes is available in the Extra-Curricular section of this website.  Please use the link at the top of the page in the dark green navigation bar.