Wayne G’Froerer:

Music is a beacon at South Fremantle SHS.  Since I started the music program at the school in 1983, my passion was always to reach out to the children of the surrounding community. Many students came from economically struggling households, and I wanted to give as many as possible the chance for a musical education.  Each year I tested all of the Year Five students in the area and provided those who showed musical aptitude with free instrumental tuition with excellent tutors for the next two years and proceeding to tertiary entrance level if they chose to continue with our program throughout high school (Years 8-12).  It is an adventure for students of this age to learn an instrument and it was a privilege for me to light the spark of a musical life.

This commitment to community access has given hundreds of children the opportunity to play musical instruments and I have seen the benefits for many of them, building confidence and commitment, and raising their sights for the future. In 2005 I put the word out to former students to create an Alumni Band, and was thrilled to receive an immediate response from 25 students.  We rehearsed for the special concert evening for parents for the 2006 opening of the Centre.

The heart of the music program is in performance.  This is where interest in music is kept alive: students are challenged to give their best, learn from each other, and experience the thrill of an appreciative audience.

During my time as Music director, SFSHS had Choirs, four bands (Junior, Symphonic, Year 6 Training Band, and Jazz ), as well as Guitar, Brass and Clarinet Ensembles.  Students participated in these from Years 6 to 12, and we performed up to 30 concerts yearly. These ranged from music festivals to community events such as Fremantle’s Pioneer Luncheon Remembrance Day, playing for aged care facilities, Fremantle Harbour welcoming incoming tourist ships, Fremantle Festival, shopping centres, churches and hospitals, Fremantle First Inaugural opening, Graduations, ceremonies  - all together between 25 to 30 concerts yearly over 20 years.  Performing groups have participated in all State festivals over many years, receiving outstanding adjudications on a par with some of the best music programs in the State.  The program has a national and international reputation gained through our participation in music tours.  Congratulations should go to all of the many parents’ committees and former students who helped bring the music program to the high level it has maintained over many years.

Organised tours are a powerful incentive.  Every second year since 1991 we have taken 40-50 students interstate or to New Zealand to perform.  The 2005 tour was to Sydney in June, where the student choir and band performed in some really inspiring venues - the Sydney Opera House, Town Hall, Darling Harbour and St Andrews Cathedral. They always love it, revelling in the places and the chance to meet students from other States and countries.  Parents notice upon their return, an increase in self-confidence, sense of belonging in the group and awareness of the wider musical world.  These performing tours are invaluable ways to keep the students engaged in their music education and beyond.

The single biggest project of recent years has been the building of the Music Centre.  This took years of dedicated work by parents and staff to obtain funding and negotiate the twists and turns of planning and building. It is not designed only as a performance auditorium, but also providing excellent teaching and rehearsal spaces, and incorporating new technologies for composing and recording. Whilst performance and tours provide inspiration for our students, this new building supports them on a more daily level, because it is a space which pays respect to their hard work and commitment.

The funding for the music centre is due in part to the status that the music program achieved within the community since 1983.  This came about only through the dedicated work of parent committees from 1985 through to 2005 and a succession of very supportive school administrators starting with Bob Cross in 1983 through to Ron Bickers and Judy Semple in 2005. Countless parents contributed ideas and initiative as well as their time to enable us to be able to commit to an application for funding for the music centre.  I myself spent countless long hours working with the architects to design the best possible education and music centre for the local students. The building is dedicated to the students, parents and school community who contributed in many ways to make the music program over many years.

History of Tours:

 

The G’Froerer Story

Wayne G’Froerer, Director of Specialist Music Program at South Fremantle Senior High School (1983 – 2006), Western Australian Excellence in Teaching Award 2003.

 

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