Special Interest Music
The Brighton Special Interest Music Centre was established in 1976 and is one of four Special Interest Music schools in Adelaide.
Brighton Secondary School is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the strongest music programs in South Australia with many old scholars occupying prominent positions in music education and the music industry.
All students at Brighton Secondary School are encouraged to enrol in Core Music as a subject in Year 7. This subject caters for students with no prior musical experience as well as continuing music students. Students with a passion and desire to study music more intensively can audition for the Special Interest Music program. This program is also available for students outside the Brighton Secondary School zone.
Brighton Secondary School is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the strongest music programs in South Australia with many old scholars occupying prominent positions in music education and the music industry.
All students at Brighton Secondary School are encouraged to enrol in Core Music as a subject in Year 7. This subject caters for students with no prior musical experience as well as continuing music students. Students with a passion and desire to study music more intensively can audition for the Special Interest Music program. This program is also available for students outside the Brighton Secondary School zone.
Follow this link to download the 2021 Year 6/7 Information Evening PowerPoint slides (PDF 770kb).
Special Interest Music audition process
Key Dates
- Information Evening - Tuesday 5 April 2022
- Application Forms due - Tuesday 10 May 2022
- Short-Listing Workshop - Tuesday 10 May 2022
- Audition (if successfully short-listed) Wednesday/Thursday 18/19 May 2022
Information Evening
A Special Interest Music information evening for Year 6 students and parents will be held on Tuesday 5 April 2022 from 5:30pm in Brighton Concert Hall.
Applications
Completed Application to Audition Forms for Year 7 Special Interest Music (commencing secondary school in 2023) are due by Tuesday 10 May 2022.
Completed application forms for Brighton Secondary School can be emailed to: dl.0803.music@schools.sa.edu.au
Selection Process
School’s will confirm details for information collection and outline timelines for the selection process after receipt of the Application to Audition form.
- Click here to download the BROCHURE (PDF 1.5MB) for the Special Interest Music Centre
- Click here to download an APPLICATION TO AUDITION FORM (PDF 257KB) for the Special interest Music centres
Completed application forms for Brighton Secondary School can be emailed to: dl.0803.music@schools.sa.edu.au
Selection Process
School’s will confirm details for information collection and outline timelines for the selection process after receipt of the Application to Audition form.
Part 1: Short-listing
Part 1: Short-listing for students currently in Year 6 are on Tuesday 10 May 2022.
The short-listing process consists of 3 parts:
The allocated time for this process is approximately 90-120 minutes.
Practical musicianship/aural test
Applicants are divided into groups of 10 to 14 and taken through a series of musical games and activities during which their musical aptitude is assessed by a panel consisting of 3 music teachers. Applicants will also complete a short, written aural test. These tests do not require any knowledge of musical notation.
Short individual performance
Applicants are asked to submit video recordings of 2 pieces of up to 3 minutes each (either on the same instrument or 1 piece on each instrument). Accompaniment is not required.
Portfolio
Applicants are advised to submit a portfolio that includes (where possible):
If successful at Part 1, applicants will proceed to Part 2 in a subsequent week.
The short-listing process consists of 3 parts:
- practical musicianship/aural test
- short individual performance (video recording)
- portfolio (please see below for a detailed list of documents to include)
The allocated time for this process is approximately 90-120 minutes.
Practical musicianship/aural test
Applicants are divided into groups of 10 to 14 and taken through a series of musical games and activities during which their musical aptitude is assessed by a panel consisting of 3 music teachers. Applicants will also complete a short, written aural test. These tests do not require any knowledge of musical notation.
Short individual performance
Applicants are asked to submit video recordings of 2 pieces of up to 3 minutes each (either on the same instrument or 1 piece on each instrument). Accompaniment is not required.
Portfolio
Applicants are advised to submit a portfolio that includes (where possible):
- most recent reports from their present school or relevant documentation
- contact details of referees including classroom music teacher(s) and instrumental teacher(s)
- a list of musical, social and/or sporting activities to demonstrate the applicant’s commitment and/or long term responsibilities (eg participation in school or extra-curricular music ensembles/choirs, team sports, student leadership, community service, a particular interest, etc)
- any other information or documentation to help highlight the applicant’s musical background and experience (eg compositions, creative work, past exam reports, etc).
If successful at Part 1, applicants will proceed to Part 2 in a subsequent week.
Part 2: Audition
Part 2: Audition for students currently in Year 6 are on Wednesday/Thursday 18 & 19 May 2022
The audition consists of 2 parts:
The allocated time for this process is 15 minutes. Parents/guardians are required to be present.
Performance
Applicants are required to prepare 2 contrasting pieces (the piece presented in Part 1 may be presented again). If the applicant plays more than 1 instrument they may choose to play 1 work on each instrument. Applicants are asked to bring an accompanist or backing tracks if the works require them. Accompanists may be available with prior request. Applicants are advised to bring copies of printed music (if available) for the audition panel.
Interview
At the interview, panel members will outline the expectations of the Special Interest Music program and whole school expectations. Applicants are asked to outline their musical and other relevant interests, and discuss why they would like to be part of the Special Interest Music program.
The audition panel consists of 2 representatives from the Special Interest Music Centres. Results will be emailed in week 5, term 2.
The audition consists of 2 parts:
- performance
- interview
The allocated time for this process is 15 minutes. Parents/guardians are required to be present.
Performance
Applicants are required to prepare 2 contrasting pieces (the piece presented in Part 1 may be presented again). If the applicant plays more than 1 instrument they may choose to play 1 work on each instrument. Applicants are asked to bring an accompanist or backing tracks if the works require them. Accompanists may be available with prior request. Applicants are advised to bring copies of printed music (if available) for the audition panel.
Interview
At the interview, panel members will outline the expectations of the Special Interest Music program and whole school expectations. Applicants are asked to outline their musical and other relevant interests, and discuss why they would like to be part of the Special Interest Music program.
The audition panel consists of 2 representatives from the Special Interest Music Centres. Results will be emailed in week 5, term 2.
For further information contact:
Andrew Barrett (Head of Music, Brighton Secondary School)
Pam Parsons (Music Secretary)
Phone (office hours): +61 8 8375 8215
Andrew Barrett (Head of Music, Brighton Secondary School)
Pam Parsons (Music Secretary)
Phone (office hours): +61 8 8375 8215
Features of the Brighton Special Interest Music Centre
Choral and instrumental ensembles are at the core of music-making at Brighton. The school provides a wide variety of ensemble experiences including orchestras, concert bands, big bands, performance choirs, small ensembles, chamber groups and percussion ensembles. For clarification of expectations please refer to the Brighton Secondary School Ensembles Policy.
Recent ensemble experiences include:
The school’s focus on critical and creative thinking is fostered in the Music program. Students’ compositions are showcased annually at “New Music Night” as well as by our extra-curricular ensembles. A composition by a Year 10 student was the soundtrack for Brighton’s successful accreditation as an Apple Distinguished School in 2015. The Music Centre conjunction with the school's 1-to-1 program, provides a first class facility for music technology that supports and extends student creativity in all areas of the curriculum.
Choral and instrumental ensembles are at the core of music-making at Brighton. The school provides a wide variety of ensemble experiences including orchestras, concert bands, big bands, performance choirs, small ensembles, chamber groups and percussion ensembles. For clarification of expectations please refer to the Brighton Secondary School Ensembles Policy.
Recent ensemble experiences include:
- The Big Bands regularly competing in Generations in Jazz in Mount Gambier with students consistently achieving selection into the All-stars Superband
- The Concert Band winning the ABODA South Australian Band Festival back-to-back
- The Percussion Ensembles achieving a gold rating at the ABODA Band Festival
- The Symphony Orchestra consistently achieving a gold standard at the Australian International Music Festival
- Many of our ensembles perform as assisting artists at the Primary Schools’ Music Festival on an annual basis
- Brighton’s choirs regularly placing highly at the Adelaide Choral Eisteddfod
- Involvement in ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies
- Involvement in Italian National Day celebrations
- Six international tours since 2008 to Asia and Europe
The school’s focus on critical and creative thinking is fostered in the Music program. Students’ compositions are showcased annually at “New Music Night” as well as by our extra-curricular ensembles. A composition by a Year 10 student was the soundtrack for Brighton’s successful accreditation as an Apple Distinguished School in 2015. The Music Centre conjunction with the school's 1-to-1 program, provides a first class facility for music technology that supports and extends student creativity in all areas of the curriculum.
Courses and Curriculum
Brighton's Special Interest Music Centre offers unique opportunities for the study of music at secondary level through specialised staffing and resources – one outcome being the consistent achievement of Merits for Stage 2 SACE subjects by Brighton music students.
The following components form the basis of the music curriculum for all music students:
Brighton's Special Interest Music Centre offers unique opportunities for the study of music at secondary level through specialised staffing and resources – one outcome being the consistent achievement of Merits for Stage 2 SACE subjects by Brighton music students.
The following components form the basis of the music curriculum for all music students:
- Solo performance
- Musicianship studies
- Historical and analytical studies
- Music technology
- Instrumental tuition
- Ensemble performance
- Composition
- Choral training
Special Interest Music
Successful applicants into the Special Interest Program will receive the following benefits:
Successful applicants into the Special Interest Program will receive the following benefits:
- Right of entry into Brighton Secondary School from out of zone (updated 2019)
- Reimbursement of tuition fees up to AUD$450.00 per year for study of one instrument with a private teacher (conditions apply)
- The right to individual tuition with Instrumental music teachers from Department for Education on the principal instrument (subject to negotiation with the Head of Music) and group tuition with Instrumental music teachers from Department for Education on a second instrument
- The opportunity to study music with students who have similar interests and abilities
Student Testimonial
Dear Music teachers,
I would like to thank you for a wonderful five years. The music program has been the highlight of my schooling, and will be what I miss the most.
I remember when I first auditioned. I was really nervous, but pretty excited too. My brother and I opened our acceptance letters in the car on the way to a band rehearsal and pretty much screamed, we were so happy. I entered SIM as a shy introvert and have left with so much more confidence, a lot of which has been thanks to the music program. It will be really weird to no longer be a ‘music student’, because that’s what I have always been here. If you ever need an extra trumpet player or backstage help for Music Spectacular, feel free to invite me back (please…).
The music program has given me opportunities that I would not have had at any other school. The 2013 choir tour was my first time overseas and was a real highlight of the last five years. The Sydney trip last year was my first time away from home for an extended amount of time, and it gave me the chance to play in the Sydney Opera House, which I will probably never do again, so thank you.
The music program gave me friends that I will have for life. Some of them I met in Festival of Music, but never spoke to until we came into SIM. The music program gives its students a bond like no other.
I appreciated all of you so much, even though some of you haven’t taught me as long. I am going to miss music a lot, but I hope I can come back occasionally. Something that sets the music program apart from other programs is the bond the students have with the teachers. You teach us all the way through, and not only in the classroom, but as conductors and accompanists. I cannot express enough how honoured I am to have been in the music program for the last five years, and to have learnt so much from amazing people like you.
Thank you so much,
Jessica McDonald
(Class of 2016)
