Music

With a proud musical heritage of over 100 years, our program inspires students from Kindergarten to Year 12 to explore, appreciate and develop a lifelong love of music.

The musical and cultural life of Lowther Hall is vibrant, inclusive, highly renowned and well-established. Students take an active role in all aspects of the program — from classroom learning and private tuition to extensive instrumental and choral ensembles. Through high-quality instruction, meaningful performance experiences and a nurturing environment, our girls are empowered to express themselves, build confidence, and make music an enduring part of their identity.

Music

A Dynamic and Inclusive Music Program

At Lowther Hall, music is more than just a subject - it’s a vibrant, school-wide experience that nurtures creativity, discipline and joy. Our comprehensive program offers a variety of pathways for students to explore and develop their musical abilities through performance, theory, and individual instruction. Whether a student is discovering music for the first time or pursuing advanced study, there are rich opportunities at every stage from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Years K - 12

Private Music Tuition

All students from Kindergarten to Year 12 have the opportunity to learn an instrument through our Private Music program. Choosing the right instrument is an important decision, as students often engage with it for many years. Most orchestral instruments are available for tuition.

Years K - 12

Cocurricular Music

Lowther Hall offers a vibrant and diverse range of choirs, bands and ensembles, providing students of all ages and skill levels with the opportunity to collaborate, perform and grow as musicians. From orchestras and jazz bands to vocal groups and instrumental ensembles, there’s a place for every student to explore their musical passion.

Years 3 - 8

Instrumental Music Program

Our Years 3 to 8 Instrumental Music Program gives students the opportunity to select an instrument to develop their musical skills, as well as the other all-important ensemble skills - listening, reading, performing. The program utilises the Kodály model for music education, developing musicianship skills through a sequential aural-vocal approach.

Private Music and Cocurricular Music Opportunities

Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 have the opportunity to participate in our comprehensive music program with opportunities available across a wide range of instruments, ensembles and choirs.

Private Music

Orchestra, Strings, Bands and Ensembles

Choral and Voice

Performance Opportunities

Private Music

Strings

Woodwind

Brass

Percussion

Guitar

Piano

Voice

Theory

Strings

Viola
Violin
Cello
Double Bass

Woodwind

Bassoon
Clarinet
Flute
Oboe
Recorder (Year 1 only)
Saxophone

Brass

French Horn
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Euphonium

Percussion

Drumkit
Percussion

Guitar

Guitar
Bass Guitar

Piano

Piano

Voice

Voice

Theory

Private Theory Tuition: Years 2 - 12
Group Theory Tuition: Years 7 - 12

Music theory underpins all aspects of musical understanding and performance, and is taught progressively from Kindergarten through to VCE. At Lowther Hall, students can deepen their knowledge through individual or group theory lessons, often aligned with their instrumental or vocal tuition, with many progressing through AMEB theory grades alongside their practical studies.

Years 3 - 12

Orchestra, Strings, Bands and Ensembles

Blinkbonnie House (K-1)

Raymond House (3-6)

Senior School (7-12)

Blinkbonnie House (K-1)

Pizzicato Strings
Pied Pipers (Year 1 Recorder Group)
Dolce Strings

Raymond House (3-6)

Double Bass Ensemble
Jazz Band
Raymond House Chamber Strings
Double Trouble (Raymond House Piano)
Concert Band
Dolce Strings

Senior School (7-12)

Chamber Strings
Flute Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble
Chamber Singers
Piano Ensemble
Symphonic Band
Saxophone Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Clarinet Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Lowther Orchestra
Big Band
Jazz Band
Chamber Wind Ensemble
Ferguson Strings
Percussion Ensemble
Rock Band
Concert Band

Years 2 - 12

Choral and Voice

Lowther Songbirds (Year 2)

Raymond Singers (Years 3 - 6)

Raymond House Chamber Choir (Years 4 - 6)

Lowther Singers (Years 7 - 12)

Concert Choir (Years 7 - 12)

Chamber Singers (Years 9 - 12)

Girls' Voices of the Cathedral Choir (Years 5 - 10)

Lowther Songbirds (Year 2)

A whole cohort Choir for Students in Year 2 as part of the classroom music curriculum.

Raymond Singers (Years 3 - 6)

An open choir for students in Years 3 to 6.

All students are invited to join this inclusive, non-auditioned choir. All that is required is enthusiasm, a commitment to rehearsals and performances and a passion to sing and enjoy music!

Students will then be invited to audition for one of the auditioned choirs.

Raymond House Chamber Choir (Years 4 - 6)

An auditioned choir for students in Years 4 to 6.

Auditioned choirs are open to all students who are already members of the open choirs. Selection into these choirs is based on an audition-selection process. The auditioned choirs perform publicly in competitions and as a result, the repertoire is generally more challenging. As a prerequisite, all members are required to also be committed members of an open choir. An ongoing commitment to rehearsals and performances is essential.

Auditions are held early each year and information will be given out at that time. Other auditions may be held throughout the year to recruit new members.

Lowther Singers (Years 7 - 12)

An open choir for students in Years 7 to 12.

All students are invited to join this inclusive, non-auditioned choir. All that is required is enthusiasm, a commitment to rehearsals and performances and a passion to sing and enjoy music!

Students will then be invited to audition for one of the auditioned choirs.

Concert Choir (Years 7 - 12)

An auditioned choir for students in Years 7 to 12.

Auditioned choirs are open to all students who are already members of the open choirs. Selection into these choirs is based on an audition-selection process. The auditioned choirs perform publicly in competitions and as a result, the repertoire is generally more challenging. As a prerequisite, all members are required to also be committed members of an open choir. An ongoing commitment to rehearsals and performances is essential.

Auditions are held early each year and information will be given out at that time. Other auditions may be held throughout the year to recruit new members.

Chamber Singers (Years 9 - 12)

An auditioned choir for students in Years 9 to 12.

Auditioned choirs are open to all students who are already members of the open choirs. Selection into these choirs is based on an audition-selection process. The auditioned choirs perform publicly in competitions and as a result, the repertoire is generally more challenging. As a prerequisite, all members are required to also be committed members of an open choir. An ongoing commitment to rehearsals and performances is essential.

Auditions are held early each year and information will be given out at that time. Other auditions may be held throughout the year to recruit new members.

Girls' Voices of the Cathedral Choir (Years 5 - 10)

An auditioned choir for students in Years 5 to 10.

St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne is the only cathedral in the southern hemisphere with a designated girls’ choir, provided by Lowther Hall. Approximately 16 girls from Years 5 to 10 form the Girls’ Voices of the Cathedral Choir, which made its debut in 2016.

The girls alternate with the traditional choir of boys and men which has been leading choral weekday and Sunday services at St Paul’s since 1888, and they sometimes present services together.

Performance Opportunities

Annual Premiere Concerts

Focused Ensemble Performances

Workshops and Special Events

Annual Premiere Concerts

Annual Music Concert
Evening of Song
Autumn Band Festival
Winter Strings Festival
Raymond House Instrumental Concert
Carols Service

Focused Ensemble Performances

Piano Recital (Senior School 7-12)
Blinkbonnie House (K-1) Morning Melodies Concert [Strings]
Years 7 to 12 Story of the Cross
Jazz at the Ballroom
Years 9 & 10 Music Concert
Raymond House (2-6) Choral & Vocal Concert
Raymond House (2-6) Piano Get-Together
Piano Soirée
St Paul’s Lunchtime Concert Series (VCE Music)
Blinkbonnie House (K-1) Morning Melodies Concert (Strings)
VCE Music Recital Series
Guitar & Percussion Concert
Music Soirées (Termly)
Blinkbonnie House (K-1) Morning Melodies Concert [Piano]

Workshops and Special Events

Symphonic Band Workshop
Jazz Workshops with Bob Sedergreen
Jazz Band & Big Band Workshop
Senior School Strings Workshop
Concert Band Workshop
Music Camp
Raymond House (2-6) Christmas Service
Blinkbonnie House (K-1) Christmas Service

Choral Program

Vocal and Choral Pathways and Performance

All Girls Sing at Lowther Hall. Singing together is a regular part of school life at Lowther Hall. Through a variety of choirs embedded in both our curriculum and cocurricular programs, all girls are encouraged to take part and to develop a lifelong love of music and singing.

Years 5 - 12

Private Vocal Lessons

Students who wish to refine their vocal technique and grow as solo performers can enrol in individual voice lessons with our specialist vocal tutors. These lessons focus on breath control, tone production, and expressive interpretation. Many students go on to perform as featured soloists at concerts or prepare for AMEB vocal examinations.
Soloists perform at a range of events such as the Celebration of Song, Raymond House Vocal and Choral Concert, Music Recitals, Assemblies and Chapels.

Years 2 - 12

Our Choir Program: A Breadth of Opportunity

Our school offers a rich choral program beginning with Lowther Songbirds, a whole-cohort choir for all Year 2 students as part of the classroom music curriculum. From there, students can participate in open choirs, Raymond Singers (Years 3 - 6) and Lowther Singers (Years 7 - 12), which are inclusive and non-auditioned, welcoming anyone with a love of singing. Those who are part of an open choir may then be invited to audition for one of our auditioned performance choirs, which include the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Girls’ Voices of the Cathedral Choir, and Raymond House Chamber Choir. These select ensembles perform publicly, often in competitions, and work on more advanced repertoire requiring a strong commitment to rehearsals and performances.

Years 2 - 12

Concerts, Performances and Tours

The Lowther Hall Choral Program provides many opportunities to perform at a variety of concerts and events, such as the Evening of Song, A Celebration of Song and the Annual Music Concert, as well as the annual Carols Service at St Paul’s Cathedral. Students also participate in Eisteddfods, masterclasses and workshops, and perform regularly at formal assemblies and services at the School. Choir members also have the opportunity to take part in international music tours. Previous tours have included New York (where girls performed at Carnegie Hall) as well as Los Angeles and Toronto (2017). A more recent tour in 2024 included London, Salzburg and Vienna, and culminated in a First-Place win for our Choir in the Summa Cum Laude competition.

Making History: Girls' Voices of the Cathedral Choir

St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne is the only cathedral in the southern hemisphere with a designated girls’ choir, provided by Lowther Hall. Girls from Years 5 to 10 form the Girls’ Voices of the Cathedral Choir, performing weekly.

Music in the Curriculum

Our comprehensive Music curriculum nurtures students from their first musical experiences in Kindergarten through to advanced study in Year 12. With a strong foundation in classroom learning, performance, and instrumental study, students are supported at every stage to develop their musical skills, confidence and creativity.

Blinkbonnie House (K-1)

Music in the Early Years

Music and Movement

In Kindergarten students are introduced to the fundamental skills of beat, rhythm and singing. Then in Prep and Year 1 students develop the fundamental skills of performing, singing and music literacy. In addition, they explore movement in response to music.

Raymond House (2-6)

Music in the Junior School

In Raymond House, our music program lays strong foundations for lifelong musical enjoyment and learning. Through a Kodály-based classroom music curriculum, ensemble participation, and instrumental learning, students build essential skills in listening, performance, and musical literacy.

Senior School (Years 7-12)

Music Curriculum in Senior School

In Years 7 and 8, all students engage in both classroom and instrumental music as part of the core curriculum. From Year 9 onwards, students can choose to deepen their studies through the ‘Music Styles and Performance’ elective, with VCE students offered specialised pathways in VCE Music Repertoire and VCE Music Inquiry.

Instrumental Music Program

Where every girl learns an instrument

Our Years 3 to 8 Instrumental Music Program gives students the opportunity to select an instrument to develop their musical skills, as well as the other all-important ensemble skills - listening, reading, performing. The program utilises the Kodály model for music education, developing musicianship skills through a sequential aural-vocal approach.

Upcoming Music Events

If you would like to know more information about any of the upcoming events, please enquire at lowther@lowtherhall.vic.edu.au.

Select Event Name:

Name

Date

With a proud musical heritage of over 100 years, our program inspires students from Kindergarten to Year 12 to explore, appreciate and develop a lifelong love of music.

Private Music Tuition

Cocurricular Music

Instrumental Music Program

Private Music

Strings

Viola

Violin

Cello

Double Bass

Woodwind

Bassoon

Clarinet

Flute

Oboe

Recorder (Year 1 only)

Saxophone

Brass

French Horn

Trombone

Trumpet

Tuba

Euphonium

Percussion

Drumkit

Percussion

Guitar

Guitar

Bass Guitar

Piano

Piano

Voice

Voice

Theory

Private Theory Tuition: Years 2 - 12

Group Theory Tuition: Years 7 - 12

Orchestra, Strings, Bands and Ensembles

Blinkbonnie House (K-1)

Pizzicato Strings

Pied Pipers (Year 1 Recorder Group)

Dolce Strings

Raymond House (3-6)

Double Bass Ensemble

Jazz Band

Raymond House Chamber Strings

Double Trouble (Raymond House Piano)

Concert Band

Dolce Strings

Senior School (7-12)

Chamber Strings

Flute Ensemble

Guitar Ensemble

Chamber Singers

Piano Ensemble

Symphonic Band

Saxophone Ensemble

Brass Ensemble

Clarinet Ensemble

Percussion Ensemble

Lowther Orchestra

Big Band

Jazz Band

Chamber Wind Ensemble

Ferguson Strings

Percussion Ensemble

Rock Band

Concert Band

Choral and Voice

Lowther Songbirds (Year 2)

Raymond Singers (Years 3 - 6)

Raymond House Chamber Choir (Years 4 - 6)

Lowther Singers (Years 7 - 12)

Concert Choir (Years 7 - 12)

Chamber Singers (Years 9 - 12)

Girls' Voices of the Cathedral Choir (Years 5 - 10)

Performance Opportunities

Annual Premiere Concerts

Annual Music Concert

Evening of Song

Autumn Band Festival