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General Knowledge Workshops for Teenagers

Truly understand the music you play (and nail your exam general knowledge as well)

Orchestral instruments on a stage
Explore history, theory and the orchestra, richly illustrated with musical examples, pictures and videos (and even a few games!)
Workshops can also be held on demand, at a time to suit you. Contact Susan to find out more.

Full Day Workshops

Old painting of women playing music

Music History (1 day)

Exploring the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods, and how they relate to the art and society of their times
music score

Music Fundamentals (1 day)

Exploring key, tonality, modes, genre, form and structure, and how they influence the music we play
Understanding the Orchestra

Understanding the Orchestra (1 day)

Exploring the instruments of the orchestra, how they work, how they sound, and how they are used

Half Day Workshops

Baroque and Classical Styles

Baroque and Classical Styles (3 hours)

Students will look at art and architecture of the Baroque and Classical periods, listen to music examples, and explore what the composers of each period were trying to achieve, and what makes their music sound the way it does.
Romantic and Modern Styles

Romantic and Modern Styles (3 hours)

Students will examine the music of the Romantic period and the twentieth century in its artistic and social context, to gain a deeper understanding of the music they play. A look at Impressionism will be included.
Key, Tonality, Modes and Modulations

Key, Tonality, Modes and Modulations (3 hours)

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the way key and tonality works in music, and how to analyse and detect different keys and modulations. The modes will also be explained and explored.
Form and Structure

Form and Structure (3 hours)

This workshop will examine the main structures used in classical music, and gain a deeper understanding of how form works. They will more easily be able to analyse and understand their own pieces.

Comments from past students

“I enjoyed the examples for everything, it was great hearing it when actually applied to music” - Kira, 13

“I thought it had a relaxed mood due to the small group. The teaching was relaxed and comfortable and I learnt a lot. The music examples were especially good. I learnt a lot and it was quite varied” - Amanda, 16

“The method was excellent, with a lot of material learnt quickly and thoroughly. A lot of breaks and fun activities. Excellent musical examples to back-up points” - Kevin, 14

“I thought it was overall very helpful. It was good that we could discuss all of our ideas, and even though we discussed everything in the booklet we also talked about things we were curious about. It was also a good timing and the breaks were the right amount of time.  All together it was really fun, interesting and I learned a lot” - Ella, 13

About Susan Deas

Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching piano for over twenty years, and her students learn both classical and contemporary styles, including playing by ear and improvisation. Susan also gives professional development workshops and lessons to private music teachers. She performs professionally as a pianist and organist, and lectures in music theory and music appreciation for Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education. Susan’s training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan is an Accredited Member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.

More about Susan’s qualifications

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