In creative arts, students discover a variety of art forms through a study of dance, drama, music and visual arts.
Studying the creative arts, students learn to appreciate, compose, listen, make and perform. Each art form has its own unique knowledge and skills, elements or concepts as well as a capacity to inspire and enrich lives.
Students must study 100 hours of both music and visual arts during Years 7 to 10. They also have an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in other art forms through elective subjects including drama, dance, photography and visual design. Students can then select from a range of courses in Years 11 to 12.
The Creative and Performing Arts curriculum at Balgowlah Boys Campus consists of Music, Visual Art, and Drama. Here at Balgowlah we pride ourselves on innovative learning programs designed to engage students in contemporary and traditional arts practices.
Authentic and Innovative Creative Arts Education
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
The Creative and Performing Arts curriculum at Balgowlah Boys Campus consists of Music, Visual Art, and Drama. Here at Balgowlah we pride ourselves on innovative learning programs designed to engage students in contemporary and traditional arts practices.
Music
Students in Year 7 and 8 study the Mandatory Music course. At Balgowlah Boys this includes a highly practical curriculum that includes learning in percussion, guitar, keyboard, Electronic Music, Rock and Roll, Film Music, and Reggae. In this course students will gain experience in class bands, small ensembles and individual performance, as well as extending their knowledge of music theory.
In Years 9-10 and 11-12 students have the opportunity to continue their studies in Music and progress through the NSW Stage 5 and 6 curriculum. The Elective program at Balgowlah will see students further their musicianship and understanding of Music performance, Composition and Theory.
Band Program
At NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus, we offer a comprehensive Band Program that caters for instrumentalists of all skill levels and tastes. The school bands are involved in performances at school assemblies, awards days and showcases, as well as external eisteddfods and festivals. The program assists students in reaching their musical goals, whilst refining their ensemble skills by having access to highly experienced teachers and conductors. We offer two comprehensive programs that are available to all students – the Concert Band Program and the Jazz Program.
The offered bands and their rehearsal times are:
Concert Band Program:
Junior Concert Band (Year 7 – 8, all welcome) – Friday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Senior Concert Band (Year 9 – 12, all welcome) – Tuesday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Guitar Club (all years, all welcome) – Tuesday lunchtime in DEM6
Jazz Program
Improvisation Improvisation ( all experience levels) – Wednesday, 7.30am in DS7
Stage Band (all years, auditioned) – Thursday, 7:30am in the School Hall
Jazz Orchestra (all years, auditioned) – Monday, 8am in the School Hall
The Band Program welcomes musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds and aims to foster the enjoyment of playing music with peers. For more information about the Band Program at Bally and how to register, please see the information pack linked below.
2025 Balgowlah Boys Band Program Information Pack
Private Instrument Tuition Program
Private Instrument Tuition Program
Balgowlah Boys has a strong instrumental tuition program that has been successfully running for many years. Several professional musicians come into the school each week and tutor students privately during school time in our rehearsal facilities. These are charged at the rate of $35- $45 for a 30 minute weekly lesson. The private lessons are payable one term in advance in order to book lesson times. Tuition is available for the following instruments:
Guitar
Bass Guitar
Drum kit
Piano
Euphonium/Baritone
French Horn
Tuba
Flute
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Please register for Private Tuition via the following link:https://forms.gle/WRYsKGdSxVFUyhkK8.
Instrument Hire
At this stage the Music Department does not offer an instrument hire program. We encourage students interested in hiring instruments to do so through the Arts Unit, which can be accessed here: https://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/instrument-hire.
Visual Arts
At Balgowlah Boys we aim to give students an enjoyable and forward-thinking Visual Art experience. All programs from 7-12 are built around the practice of established artists and collaborators. These are built with a strong focus on traditional and contemporary artmaking practices. Students who participate in the Visual Arts curriculum will have opportunity to collaborate with artists in residence, produce their own art shows both at Balgowlah and in public galleries, and partake in large scale mural and public art projects.
In both the Mandatory (Years 7-8) and Elective courses (Years 9-12) students investigate a full range of visual arts forms including drawing, painting, printaking, photomedia, sculpture, and digital technologies. Students are encouraged to develop their own individual art practice and build upon their theoretical knowledge of Visual Art.
Balgowlah Boys has three classrooms dedicated to the Visual Arts. These rooms contain facilities such as a Senior HSC Workshop dedicated the production of the HSC Body of Work, printmaking presses and a computer pod. Students are encouraged to utilise these art facilities when they can so as to promote their own sustained art making practices.
Drama
Drama is offered at Balgowlah Boys in Year 7 and as an elective in Years 9-10 and 11-12. The Drama program enables students to develop confidence, knowledge and skills in performance, script writing, and production. Students who study Drama as an elective will gain experience in developing their own productions and will engage in numerous excursions and experiences to develop their knowledge and understanding of Drama.
The Company
The Company meets in the school hall/stage on Thursdays from 3.30pm – 5.00pm in the School Hall on the stage. This group will study theatre in-depth; Movement, Poetry, Characterisation, Plays, Playwrights and self-devised drama. Documentary theatre and Production. It will be assumed that these students have already attained a level of concentration and control and are ready to be challenged. In order to become members of this drama group, students will be required to audition.
The Theatre Studio: Year 7 Extension Drama and 8 Curriculum Drama students
The Theatre Studio will offer students both challenge and inspiration within a safe and caring environment. Term 1 Starting Wednesday 26th February from 3.30pm – 4.30pm: School Hall on the stage.
If your son is interested, please email Tricia Herman (Director): patricia.herman@det.nsw.edu.au
Creating and Performing Arts (CAPA) Staff
Please don't hesitate to contact us for any inquiries.
Ms Sally Leaney - Head Teacher, Visual Arts Teacher
Mr Chris Boylan - Deputy, Visual Arts Teacher
Karen Blundell - Visual Arts Teacher
Sally Stieven - Visual Arts Teacher
Brandon Diaz - Drama Teacher
Mr Ben Corby - Music Teacher
Ms Eva Stokes - Music Teacher, Head Teacher Administration
Mr Iain Robertson - Relieving Head Teacher
Ms Amy Harris - Music Teacher
