ENSEMBLES 2019

Canberra Girls Grammar School Chorale

Canberra Girls Grammar School (CGGS) is an independent school of 1,400 students offering day and boarding opportunities. As the oldest independent school in the Australian Capital Territory, the School started with 10 students in 1926 under the oversight of Sister Hilda. We are a modern school, steeped in tradition, and proud of our academic and non-academic achievements. We value our strong co-curricular program and the myriad of opportunities CGGS students have to encourage the best in every child. CGGS is indebted to the leadership and pioneering spirit of the Community of the Sisters of the Church and today, while maintaining its Anglican traditions, warmly welcomes nationalities, cultures and faiths from across the world. Music education at Canberra Girls Grammar School aims to create pathways for students and members of the community to achieve through music. It encourages each individual to experience the joy of music, regardless of age or ability, as an integral part of the Music Academy Program. There is an emphasis on active participation and individual expression and the development of the rich knowledge involved in making music. We strive to provide a broad and innovative range of music making opportunities and recognise the power of music through community. Music is an important element of our school community. It is a pursuit that both challenges and enriches us through performance and academic study. The Music Academy provides a broad musical experience through which we can challenge our skills, knowledge and understanding, celebrating the very thing that can bring communities together, music! The Chorale is a non-auditioned choir, comprising students from Years 7 to 12. It is the Music Academy’s largest choral ensemble. The Chorale rehearse for 70 minutes a week and participate in important school and community events throughout the year. The Chorale perform a wide range of repertoire ranging from traditional choral music to contemporary and popular repertoire. The choir have received gold awards in the National Eisteddfod over the past 2 years and are excited for our tour to Europe in 2019.

Joel Copeland

Conductor

Joel Copeland currently holds the position of Dean of Music at Canberra Girls Grammar School. He was previously employed at Radford College where he was Head of Music and Director of Choirs. Joel holds a Master’s in Education (Educational Leadership), Bachelor of Education (Secondary Music) and has been an exponent of the Kodály philosophy throughout his teaching career. In 2015, he received the Australian Kodály Certificate in Secondary Music Education. Joel obtained an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management through the Australian Institute of Management and has served the Radford College Board as a Director. He has directed choirs, bands, orchestras and ensembles across all year levels and was heavily involved in the development and implementation of an International Baccalaureate inquiry-based music curriculum in the Radford Junior School. With experience teaching students from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 12 as well as adult music learners in a community setting, Joel believes that music education should be made accessible to all and above all else, music learning should be fun. Joel spent 4 years serving as the National President of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia (KMEIA Inc.) and is also a past President of the ACT Music Educators Network. He was a member of the Music Australia delegation to Parliament House in 2017, has previously been a member of the National Council of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) and is a passionate advocate for Music Education.

SCL Artistic Program

Celebration Program

Additional Concerts Program