80 - 98 Park Road
Hurstville NSW 2220, Australia

Junior School:

(+612) 9580 9242

[email protected]

Senior School:

(+612) 9580 1415

[email protected]

Welcome

Music, Dance, Arts and Drama are essential to educating the whole child. Aware of the vast research that acknowledges the many benefits to learning, cognitive function and wellbeing that these pursuits bring, Danebank offers enriching opportunities for our students to explore, discover passions and pursue their talents in the performing arts. 

Our programs focus on learning and a technical refinement of skills through a broad curriculum taught by outstanding teachers as well as instrumental, dance arts and drama specialists.

We also build collective ensemble skills, involving listening, reacting and teamwork, through our varied ensemble opportunities. And we offer many performance opportunities which see the students striving for excellence and achieving their goals. These pursuits also afford great opportunities for social interaction, and can become a wonderful outlet for stress relief and enjoyment.  

Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps. Praise him with tambourines and dancing, with stringed instruments and woodwinds. Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals. - Psalm 150:3-5

 

We utilise Danebank's holistic approach to learning from P-12 within our programs and seek to meet students at their level, build their skills and extend them to new levels by advancement through the different ensembles and programs which also include extension opportunities for high achieving performers. 

We also offer performance for leisure opportunities which can meet the needs of those who enjoy performing and making performance art with less pressure.

All enrolment and general information for our Co-Curricular Performing Arts programs can be found on this portal. Any questions can be directed to the Director of Performing Arts P-12, Ms Emily Maguire [email protected]

    Creative and Performing Arts

    Years 3, 4 and 5 Instrumental Program (IP)

    All students participate within the scheduled classroom music time. 

    Learning an instrument has proven benefits to the brain. When playing an instrument nearly all areas of the brain become engaged benefitting visual, auditory, motor and cognitive functioning. There are direct correlations between learning an instrument and developing language skills. Working memory is improved, ability to focus and decode, even behaviour and social/emotional function improves.

    Neuro research tells us that although these benefits can be enjoyed at any age, the most benefit comes from learning an instrument when you are young. At Danebank we make sure every child has this opportunity through our Years 3, 4 and 5 Instrumental Program (IP).

    We hope that these young musicians find a love for music and continue pursuing it in their future years at Danebank, but whether these students go on to become musicians or not, they are able to apply these great benefits to all areas of learning.

    If you have any questions about the IP program, please contact Director of Performing Arts P-12, Ms Emily Maguire at [email protected]

      Vocal Music and Choirs

      'Sing again, with your dear voice revealing 
      A tone of some world far from ours,
      Where music and moonlight and feeling are one.'
      Percy Bysshe Shelly

      Singing has always been a strong tradition at Danebank and each year we see our vocal and choral programs reach great heights through public performance, Chapel Services, Eisteddfods, combined schools concerts and the like. We encourage all keen singers and aspiring vocalists to investigate our programs. Our specialist teachers will be looking to advise, guide and extend them throughout their years of participation. These programs not only create public performance opportunities and personal advancement for students within the programs themselves, but also serve as a wonderful skills building resource for those who wish to pursue singing for their HSC exams and/or beyond.

      Students are offered opportunities to sing through our 5 different choirs and vocal ensembles across Years 1 – 12.  

      In addition, private vocal lessons with experienced vocal tutors are offered for students of any age.

        The Melodies (Year 2 and 3)

        The Avenue Choir (Years 4 – 6)

        Park Road Singers (Years 4 and 6) Audition Requirement

        The Senior Choir (Years 7 - 12)

        The 'RISE' Senior Vocal Ensemble (Years 7 - 12) Audition Requirement

        Private Vocal Lessons

          Instrumental Music

          'If music be the food of love, play on!'
          William Shakespeare

          Danebank offers diverse and rich opportunities for students who have a passion to learn an instrument or who are already on their journey as instrumentalists. Whether it be strings, woodwind, brass or percussion, our dedicated instrumental staff seek to foster a love of playing while developing sound technique and building ensemble skills. Each year, we see our instrumental ensembles reach great heights through public performance at Speech Night, Open Day, Chapel Services, Eisteddfods, IPSHA Combined Schools Concerts and the like. These programs not only create public performance opportunities and personal advancement for students within the programs themselves, but also serve as a wonderful skills-building resource for to those who wish to pursue instrumental performance for their HSC exams and/or beyond.

          In total there are 10 different instrumental ensembles and programs offered to students across Years 2 – 12. As well private instrumental lessons with experienced instrumental specialist tutors are offered for students of any age.  

          All students in Years 3, 4 and 5 are afforded the opportunity to learn an instrument as part of their classroom music Instrumental Program. Within this program students will begin ensemble playing through the Training Band and Training Strings ensembles. From there advancement can be made through our Junior Band to Senior Band, and our Junior String Orchestra to Senior String Orchestra. Students who are taking private instrumental lessons outside of the Years 3, 4 and 5 Instrumental Program may also join these ensembles. These programs are designed to move students smoothly through a pedagogical program that develops skills at their level and propels them to reach for the next level. 

          And beyond these core ensembles, we also offer further opportunities for advanced, gifted and talented musicians through our RISE ACADEMY which includes 4+ Instrumental Ensembles and a Vocal Ensemble. These groups aim to perform, compete and experience music at a higher standard and gain professional industry experience.

          All enrolment and general information for our Co-Curricular Performing Arts programs can be found on this portal. Any questions can be directed to the Director of Performing Arts P-12, Ms Emily Maguire [email protected]

            Junior Concert Band

            Open to Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Players – (Upper Primary)

            The Junior Concert Band follows on from the Training Band (offered in our Year 4 IP Program) and is also open to students who take private lessons on their instrument. All students who have some experience (minimum 1 year) on their instrument, either through our IP program or private lessons, are encouraged to join the band. It seeks to take active learners of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments and further develop their ensemble skills through a comprehensive band method. Students involved will receive weekly tutorials and weekly large ensemble rehearsals. The Junior Concert Band performs throughout the school year in both formal and informal settings.

            Past performances have included, Open Day, Assemblies, Carol’s Night and inter-school combined concerts at performance venues around Sydney.

            Members of the Junior Concert Band will also be invited to attend a music camp, in week 4 of Term 2, where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

              Senior Concert Band (Years 7 - 12) Entry Requirement

              Open to Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Players (Years 7-12)

              The Senior Concert Band follows on from our Junior Concert Band and seeks to take students at the next level and elevate their ensemble skills and musicianship to an advanced standard. Students involved will receive weekly tutorials and weekly large ensemble rehearsals. The Senior Concert Band performs throughout the school year in both formal and informal settings.

              Past performances have included, Open Day, Assemblies, Carol’s Night and inter-school combined concerts and Eisteddfods at performance venues around Sydney. Members of the Senior Concert Band will also be invited to attend a music camp, in Week 1 of Term 2, where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                Junior String Orchestras: Intermediate and Advanced (Primary Years) Entry Requirement

                Open to Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass (Years 1 – 6)

                The Junior String Orchestras, both Intermediate and Advanced, is open to students who have been learning a string instrument through private lessons (minimum 1 year experience), or for students who are excelling at and enjoying their string instrument experience in the Years 3, 4 & 5 Instrumental Program (minimum 1-2 years experience). These orchestras seek to take active learners of violin, viola, cello and double bass and further develop their ensemble skills through a comprehensive orchestral method. The orchestras function at a higher standard than the ensemble work explored in the IP Program and with further  performance opportunities throughout the year as well including, Open Day, Assemblies, Carol’s Night and inter-school combined concerts at performance venues around Sydney.

                There is a graded approach to ensemble scoring with opportunities for both early players as well as advanced players. The orchestras work on a range of repertoire in the classical and folk tradition while refining technical elements such as bowing and left hand technique, and developing an ensemble sound.

                Members of the Junior String Orchestras will also be invited to attend a music camp, in Week 1 of Term 2, where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                  Senior String Orchestra (Years 7 – 12) Entry Requirement

                  Open to Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass (Years 7 - 12)

                  The Senior String Orchestra follows on from our Junior String Orchestra and seeks to take students at the next level and elevate their ensemble skills and musicianship to an advanced standard. The ensemble works on a range of repertoire in the classical, folk and contemporary genre, playing notable works by some of the world’s best composers.

                  Technique is a focus as is developing a sophisticated ensemble sound. There is a graded approach to ensemble scoring with opportunities for intermediate up to highly advanced players. The Senior String Orchestra performs throughout the school year in both formal and informal settings. Past performances have included, Open Day, Assemblies, Carol’s Night and Eisteddfod’s at performance venues around Sydney.

                  Members of the Senior String Orchestra will also be invited to attend a Music Camp in Week 1 of Term2, where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                    The RISE Advanced Instrumental Ensemble (Years 5 - 12) Audition Requirement

                    Open to advanced instrumentalist in Years 5 – 12 (audition requirement)

                    Part of our 'RISE ACADEMY' which targets and extends gifted performers, The 'RISE' Advanced Instrumental Ensemble is open to advanced string, woodwind, brass and percussion players and entry to this ensemble is via audition. The 'RISE' Advanced Instrumental Ensemble seeks to offer talented players an opportunity to hone their skills at a high level through the exploration of challenging repertoire, and to refine their techniques to create a sophisticated collective sound.

                    The 'RISE' Advanced Instrumental Ensemble is a feature of the Danebank performance landscape throughout the year and we will continue to seek performance opportunities both at school and out in the community, through Eisteddfods and the like. Exceptional players may also be extended further through Advanced Chamber Ensemble groups as a part of our 'RISE' program that targets gifted performers.

                    Members of the 'RISE' Advanced Instrumental Ensemble will also be invited to attend a music camp where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                      RISE Instrumental Chamber Groups

                      ‘RISE CHAMBER STRING ORCHESTRA’, ‘RISE WIND CONSORT’ &  ‘RISE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE’

                      Open to advanced instrumentalist in Years 5 – 12 (audition requirement)

                      Part of our 'RISE ACADEMY' which targets and extends gifted performers, these 3 ensembles work in chamber groupings within instrument families to extend students through challenging repertoire, helping them learn refined performing skills, compete against other top schools in Eisteddfods and the like, and collaborate with Industry professionals (where possible). 

                      Students who are excelling in any of our other Instrumental Ensembles are encouraged to audition for these groups. 

                      Members of the ‘RISE CHAMBER STRING ORCHESTRA’, ‘RISE WIND CONSORT’, ‘RISE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE’ will also be invited to attend a music camp where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                      Entrance to these Advanced Chamber Groups is by audition only. Auditions for 2025 will be held on Tuesday 11 February, Week 3 at 3-4:00pm. Students who accept their offered position into this ensemble are required to attend all rehearsals on time and be available for performance dates. Students who accept an offered position into the Advanced Instrumental Ensemble must be committed members of the String Orchestra or Concert Band concurrently. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the music camp.

                      There is no fee to join The RISE Ensembles, however there is a cost to attend the Music Camp. For further information about the Music Camp please see the Music Camp Information Page on this portal.

                        Bellringers (Years 7 - 12)

                        Open to Years 7 – 12 (limited spaces)

                        The Bellringers Choir is offered to students in Years 7-12. Using traditional handbells, the students in this ensemble are allocated 1 -3 notes of the chromatic scale each, and work together in rhythm to create complex harmonies and melodies. The beautiful sound of this bell choir is often a feature at our Carols Night performances, as well as other public events  throughout the year such as Open Day and Twilight Evening.

                        Members of the Bellringers may also be invited to attend a music camp in Week1 of Term 2 where choral and instrumental groups from across the junior and senior Danebank campuses will come together to enjoy collaborative ensemble experiences and immersive rehearsals with teachers and specialists.

                          Private Lessons

                            Instrument Hire

                            While we encourage students to purchase and maintain their own instruments, in some cases instruments may be rented from the school. Please be aware that instruments in our rental pool are good quality, beginner level instruments and suit early players. They are not suitable for advanced players.

                            Please see below for more information about costs and rental protocols.

                              RISE Academy (Gifted and Talented Performing Artists)

                              Our RISE ACADEMY seeks to identify and target gifted and talented Performing Arts students and challenge and extend them at a higher level including prestigious and competitive performance opportunities and collaborative experiences with industry professionals. Students in these programs work on major works and ensemble projects at a high level with other gifted peers. Students who are showing aptitude in our other ensembles are invited to audition for any of these groups. Since its debut in 2020, Our RISE ACADEMY has grown to include 6 different initiatives in the areas of instrumental music, vocal music and dance.

                                RISE Advanced Instrumental Ensemble

                                  RISE Chamber String Orchestra

                                    RISE Wind Consort

                                      RISE Percussion Ensemble

                                        RISE Senior Vocal Ensemble

                                          RISE Extension Dance Troupe

                                          • RISE Extension Dance Troupe

                                            Private Instrumental and Vocal Lessons

                                            'I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; 
                                            but most importantly music, for the patterns in music 
                                            and all the arts are the keys to learning.'
                                            Plato

                                             

                                            Alongside classroom music and co-curricular ensembles, Danebank also offers private music lessons to students who wish to learn to sing or play an instrument. Staffed by highly qualified instrumental and vocal specialists, this program is offered to any beginning students, or to students who are already learning outside of school but would like the convenience and cost effectiveness of learning on campus during the school day. 

                                            Private music lessons occur as pull-out, half hour lessons during the school day. The students are scheduled on a rotating schedule so they are not always missing the same class. We do not offer permanent, fixed time slots for private lessons. Lessons occur in our purpose built, music practice rooms in the PAC building. 

                                            Enrolments for this program are due by the end of Week 1 in 2024, 2 February. Once enrolments are processed the music tutors will contact each family with a schedule and we aim to have all lessons up and running by week 3. Students and families are committed to a full semester’s charge for lessons once enrolled. 

                                            NB: Late enrolments are also welcomed but may not be processed in time to start lessons in Week 3. In these cases, lessons will start later and billing will be adjusted.

                                            While we encourage students to purchase and maintain their own instruments, in some cases instruments may be rented from the school.

                                            All enrolment and general information for our Co-Curricular Performing Arts programs can be found on this portal. Any questions can be directed to the Director of Performing Arts P-12, Ms Emily Maguire [email protected].edu.au

                                              Tutors and Instruments Offered

                                              Please read the following information about which instruments you can choose to learn currently at Danebank. If your instrument of choice is not found below, please contact the Director of Performing Arts P-12, Ms Emily Maguire [email protected] and we will investigate possibilities for you.

                                               

                                                Costs, Commitments and Withdrawals

                                                  Application to Enrol

                                                    Chapel Musicians

                                                    Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

                                                    Colossians 3:16-17

                                                     

                                                     

                                                    Being a part of our Chapel Musicians group is a way for students to engage in their faith through music and song, to boost congregational singing and bring added life to our weekly Chapel Services. These initiatives are run as two separate groups, one for the Junior School involving singers only, and one for the Senior School involving instrumentalists and vocalists.

                                                      Junior Chapel Singers

                                                        Senior Chapel Band/Singers

                                                          Music Camp

                                                          Open to select ensembles, Years 3 - 12, by invitation

                                                          We are excited to host our annual Music Camp once again in 2025 from 19-21 May 2025 (Week 4, Term 2). 

                                                            Application to enrol for Music Camp (Years 4 - 12)

                                                              Attending Music Camp as a Day Student (Students Year 3 and under)

                                                                Packing List | What to bring

                                                                  Co-Curricular Drama

                                                                  'All the world’s a stage.
                                                                  And all the men and women merely players.'
                                                                  William Shakespeare

                                                                    School Production (Theatrical Play and/or Musical)

                                                                    Every year, Danebank stages a large-scale production. These productions range from theatrical plays to musicals, usually on alternating years, and they are a highlight in our performance landscape. They are an excellent way for students to work collaboratively across year groups, refining their acting skills (and singing and dancing skills) while forging new friendships. 

                                                                      Theatresports (Years 7 - 12)

                                                                      Theatresports is improvised theatre that uses the format of a competition for student in Years 7-12.  Teams are made up of no more than 5 players and they play a series of improvisation games of between 1 – 3 minutes which is then judged by a panel of three judges.  Danebank enters the Interschool Theatresports Competition every year and compete against various schools. Years 7 and 8 students who wish to be involved will participate as a training team. Danebank has both an intermediate and senior team who train every Thursday from 3pm – 4:30pm during Term 1 and 2.  The competition takes place in Term 2. 

                                                                       

                                                                      NB, due to a conflict with our annual musical rehearsal scheduling and the theatre sports competitive scheduling in 2025,  there is a chance that Theatresports may not be able to go ahead in 2025. We encourage interested students to still sign up, and we hope to find a solution early in the year and will inform interested parties asap.

                                                                       

                                                                        Co-Curricular Dance

                                                                        'You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.'
                                                                        Gene Kelly

                                                                          Infants Ballet (K - Year 3)

                                                                          Our Infants Ballet Program is open to enrolments from students in Kindergarten, Years 1, 2 & 3.  These  classes involve a graded, classical ballet approach building the foundations for dance technique and strength training.  In 2025, classes will take place at the following times:

                                                                          • Tuesday 3:15pm - 4:00pm (Open to students in Kindergarten and Year 1)
                                                                          • Wednesday 3:15pm - 4:00pm (Open to students in Years 2 and 3)

                                                                           

                                                                          Classes will be capped at a 15 students and entry will be offered on a first come/first served basis. Lesson times will be allocated by the staff once enrolments are in and families will be informed by end of Week 2 if they have made it into the class, which will begin in Week 3.

                                                                          Parents will be required to enrol their daughter in the extend aftercare program in order to be considered for the ballet class. This is because our fantastic Ballet tutor is fully booked in back to back classes and cannot stay late to supervise students who are not collected on time. Please note that there is no cost to enrol in EXTEND AFTER CARE, and there will be no charge unless you are late to collect your daughter. In these rare cases,  your daughter will be supervised at EXTEND AFTER CARE until you arrive and a fee will be incurred.  Please note that parents may also select an option to have their daughter dropped at EXTEND following ballet every week if extra supervision hours are required.

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                            Dance Troupe (Years 4 - 12)

                                                                            The Junior and Senior Dance Troupe program will continue in 2025 under the direction of Ms Alycia Trainor. Students will be offered instruction firstly in techniques, then choreography with a view to performance. Our dance troupes feature at performance events during the school year such as evening showcases, Open Days, Speech Day, Eisteddfods and the like.

                                                                             

                                                                            In 2025 we will be offering the following options for Dance Troupe:

                                                                            • Monday 7:45am - 8:45am Junior Dance Troupe – Jazz/Hip Hop
                                                                            • Monday 3:15 - 4:15pm Junior Dance Troupe – Contemporary/Lyrical
                                                                            • Thursday 6:45am - 8:15am Senior Dance Troupe – Jazz/Hip Hop
                                                                            • Thursday 3:00pm - 4:30pm Senior Dance Troupe – Contemporary/Lyrical
                                                                            • Wednesday 6:45am - 8:15am RISE EXTENSION Senior Dance Troupe 

                                                                             

                                                                              Dance Troupe: Costs, Commitments and Withdrawals

                                                                                Dance Troupe: Audition and Rehearsal Information

                                                                                  Sign Up

                                                                                  To enrol in either the Junior or Senior Dance Troupe for 2025, please sign up using the appropriate application form found at either of the links below. 

                                                                                   
                                                                                  • Junior Dance Troupe (Years 4 - 6) Application Form FOUND HERE
                                                                                  • Senior Dance Troupe (Years 7 - 12) Application Form FOUND HERE

                                                                                    Dance Tutors