Music

Oakhurst Music Department

Music is a very important part of each and every Oakhurst girl’s education. Each grade has a designated weekly Class Music period. Through a wide variety of activities, girls are guided in appreciating the different possibilities Music has to offer. All girls in grade 4 to 7 are invited to audition to be accepted into the Oakhurst Girls’ Senior Choir, which is always excited to entertain any willing audience. The Oakhurst Music Department is growing steadily – currently we have more than 60 girls receiving individual tuition in a wide variety of instruments offered by our teachers at the school.

Class Music

Music is about entertainment and enjoyment, and that is exactly what we aim to instil in every Oakhurst girl. We enjoy singing old and new songs in different languages and styles during the weekly Class Music period. The girls receive tuition in basic music theory, as well as a general knowledge regarding different music genres. No matter how many left feet you have, or if you can’t keep a steady beat, you are guaranteed to have a good time in Music!

Individual Music Tuition

Although the majority of Music lessons are conducted during school hours, the Music Department functions in a private capacity. Oakhurst currently offers lessons in piano, recorder, clarinet, saxophone, flute, violin and guitar. These girls are entered in eisteddfodau, external exams, and are encouraged to perform on a regular basis at our popular Music Evenings. Our qualified teachers are experienced in their respective specialist instruments.

One of our biggest obstacles is the constant lack of suitable teaching venues – we only have one small Music Room and the room utilised for Class Music. Therefore the department’s expansion is largely dependant on the pending project of building an Arts Block, which promises to solve many a problem for us. Be sure to watch this space for updates on these exciting developments!

Choir

The Oakhurst Girls’ Senior Choir is one of our grandest showcases, and we are very proud of these girls! The choir rehearsals are on Thursdays 10:30-11:00 as well as Fridays after school from 13:15-14:15. We aim to have the choir perform at least once every term, whether at an Eisteddfod, a Music Evening or during an Assembly period. Our repertoire includes songs from a wide spectrum of styles, including hymns, songs from musicals and some even by popular artists. This group of girls is very dedicated to their “team”, and are keen to show parents, friends and fellow Oakhurst girls what they can do!

Recorder in Grade 1

As a part of Oakhurst’s Music Programme, all grade 1 girls will receive lessons in recorder. In order for all the girls to receive an equal opportunity, the class is halved and these two groups receive tuition separately. Learning to play the recorder exposes the girls to one of the most affordable methods of Music Education. This will also enable those who show promise to continue with individual music tuition in grade 2 in any of the instruments the Music Department offers.

Our Teachers

Rosanne Lesch (Head of Department)
♫ Class Music – All grades
♫ Senior Choir
♫ Piano
♫ Recorder (Individual & Groups)
♫ Clarinet
♫ Saxophone

Fay Wood (Part-time)
♫ Piano
♫ Recorder (Individual & Groups)
♫ Flute

Annemarie Gelderblom (Part-time)
♫ Violin

Marc Röntsch (Part-time)
♫ Guitar

Jean Westwood (Part-time)
♫ Accompanist – Senior Choir