Pathways provide a structured and flexible framework for managing each student’s musical studies, lessons, and ensemble participation throughout their time at the Conservatorium High School.
Students may apply to change pathways as their circumstances evolve, with approval from the school.
All Students Experience
Every student at CHS participates in:
Classroom Music lessons
Weekly specialist music lessons (instrument, voice, composition, keyboard musicianship, etc.)
Choir
Large performing ensembles (e.g. Orchestra, Wind Sinfonia)
Small performing ensembles (e.g. Chamber Music)
Academic classroom lessons
Sport
Your chosen pathway determines the specific combination and duration of practical music studies.
Pathway Structure by Year
Year 7
Instrumental (Non-Keyboard) Pathway
Instrument Study — 60 minutes
Keyboard Musicianship — 30 minutes
Keyboard Pathway
Keyboard Study — 60 minutes (with Keyboard Musicianship teacher)
Ensemble Instrument Study — 30 minutes
Vocal Pathway
Ensemble Instrument Study — 60 minutes
Keyboard Musicianship — 30 minutes
Vocal Study — 30 minutes
All students participate in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
Year 8
Instrumental (Non-Keyboard) Pathway
Instrument Study — 60 minutes
Keyboard Musicianship — 30 minutes
Keyboard Pathway
Keyboard Study — 60 minutes (with Keyboard Musicianship teacher)
Ensemble Instrument Study — 30 minutes
Vocal Pathway
Ensemble Instrument Study — 60 minutes or 30 minutes
Keyboard Musicianship — 30 minutes
Vocal Study — 60 minutes or 30 minutes
Notes
All students participate in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
Vocal students may choose their 60-minute study as either Voice or Ensemble Instrument.
At the end of Year 8, Keyboard students may apply to study with other CHS Keyboard tutors.
Year 9
Instrumental (Non-Keyboard) Pathway
Instrument Study — 60 minutes
Partimento / Composition — 30 minutes
Keyboard Pathway
Keyboard Study — 60 minutes
Partimento / Composition — 30 minutes
Ensemble Instrument Study — 30 minutes
Vocal Pathway
Ensemble Instrument Study — 60 minutes or 30 minutes
Partimento / Composition — 30 minutes
Vocal Study — 60 minutes or 30 minutes
Notes
All students participate in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
All students complete two terms of Partimento and two terms of Composition as their minor study (small group lessons).
Year 10
(All pathways)
Major Study — 60 minutes
Composition (Minor Study) — 30 minutes
Notes
All students participate in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
By Year 10, students focus on one major and one minor study.
In Years 10 & 11, the minor study is Composition.
All Vocal students continue participation in instrumental ensembles.
Year 11
(All pathways)
Major Study — 60 minutes
Composition (Minor Study) — 30 minutes
All students continue participation in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
Year 12
Students may choose one of the following structures:
Option 1
Major Study — 60 minutes
Minor Study — 30 minutes
Option 2
Extended Major — 90 minutes
Option 3
Major Study — 60 minutes
Minor Study — 30 minutes
Extended Major — 90 minutes
Notes
All students participate in choir, large ensembles and small ensembles.
Music Extension students must complete a major study in their specialisation area.
They may complete a minor study OR convert their major study into an extended major (90 minutes).
Additional Information
Vocal & Keyboard Streams (Years 7–9)
The school provides all CHS students with 90 minutes of practical lessons per week.
To ensure full participation in the CHS music program, all students must take part in large ensembles.
Therefore:
Vocal and Keyboard students must study an ensemble instrument in Years 7–9.
This may result in an additional 30 minutes of weekly lessons.
As this is a school requirement, CHS covers the cost of these additional lessons during Years 7–9.
Years 10–12 (Composition / Musicology Majors)
In certain circumstances, students in Years 10–12 may undertake a Major or Extended Major in Composition or Musicology.
Lesson durations remain as listed above.
These students are still required to participate in performing ensembles.
General Note for All Students
Some students may be required to perform on an additional instrument within an ensemble.
In these cases:
The student will already have basic facility on the instrument.
No additional lessons are required for that instrument.
