Case Study - St Aloysius College

The Client

An all-girl school in the heart of the city of Adelaide, SA

Specific Challenges

Over 300 pupils are learning an instrument (or voice)

65 nationalities attend the school

Music lessons are compulsory from Reception to Yr 7

There is one semester of music in Yrs 8 & 9

In Yrs 10-12 students may choose to do Advanced or General Music

Year 12 includes musicianship, solo and ensemble performance, individual study, music in context and arranging / composing

The school has many ensembles and choirs that compete at a high level

Must maintain their high to very high achievement level in Yr 12

All levels and abilities must be catered for

Approximately 40% of students are unable to afford individual music lessons

Many students are at competition level

Auralia 4 and Musition 4 Provide

• Customised learning, linked to curriculum requirements
• In-depth instructional material
• Carefully graded, user-friendly, interactive drills
• Comprehensive aural and theory lessons - 75 topics covered
• Easy tracking and assessment of students
• Students can progress at their own pace
• Teacher can create customised exams, quizzes and worksheets

The Results:

• Pupils enjoy using the software
• Teachers see improved test results
• Both advanced and struggling students' needs are met
• Noticeable reduction in marking load for teachers
• Comprehensive assessment and tracking of student progress

Enhancing the Qualities of a Unique School

St Aloysius College, Adelaide, was established in 1880 but takes pride in its ability to find new and creative ways to stay up-to-date. The school strives for academic excellence, nurtures creativity and encourages performance: these are among the many special qualities they are proud of. In the Music Department these particular qualities have been enhanced by the official integration of Auralia 4 and Musition 4 into the program. Says Jonathan Rice, Music Coordinator at St Aloysius:

"I've been using Auralia and Musition for six years but as of 2010 both have been fully embedded into our programs. We've already noticed an improvement in students' musicianship."

Catering for Individual Needs and Mixed Abilities

At St Aloysius, an inner city school that extends a warm welcome to students from all walks of life, teachers and students are committed to an education that gives full coverage of the core learning areas, but also offers choice in order to cater for individual needs and abilities. Auralia 4 and Musition 4, which can be customised to suit any requirement, provide the perfect fit.

Based in Adelaide, St Aloysius develops their curriculum using the SA Curriculum Standards and Accountability (SACSA) framework for years Reception to 10. Thereafter students study for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). With Auralia 4 and Musition 4 geared to any curriculum, the school can ensure that their students have access to all the lessons they need in order to succeed at their specific level.

Just over 300 mixed-ability students use the software to enhance their learning of an instrument or voice. By Year 12, students are consistently achieving very high results, which is a remarkable outcome in a school that caters to over 65 nationalities. The user-friendly nature of Auralia 4 and Musition 4, with their clear and attractive interfaces, ensures that students of all backgrounds and ability levels can easily navigate the extensive lessons and drills. Jonathan Rice confirms it: "My students really enjoy using Auralia and Musition. Both programs are excellent in all regards."

With accessibility and enjoyment appealing to the student body, what else must the school think about in selecting the most appropriate software? For St Aloysius, with its varied student body alongside its commitment to the highest standards, flexibility is vital. Auralia 4 and Musition 4 give the school control, meaning that with they are now able to custom-fit the program to suit every level. With this software they can meet the needs of the individual, the class, the whole school - safe in the knowledge that the music education they are providing is fully comprehensive. In support of this, the school can rely on the in-depth instructional material provided with both software packages.

Rice says: "We find both programs particularly good for accelerating students and assisting those more remedial students. We can tailor-make any student's learning and revision easily and with great effect."

Making Time for What's Important

As a full-time Music Coordinator, Rice has numerous demands on his time. Naturally, he appreciates the efficiency and user-friendly nature of Auralia 4 and Musition 4:

"We use Auralia and Musition to assist with exam preparation, to track students' progress and set worksheets, and I've noticed a reduction in my marking load since we introduced these programs."

Auralia 4 and Musition 4 allow teachers like Rice to store results and monitor progress at the touch of a button, dramatically cutting the level of paperwork. Consequently, time spent in the music lab is focused and forward-moving. Teachers at St Aloysius can spend more of their time furthering student achievements in the area of performance and creativity.

Maintaining a Competitive Edge

St Aloysius is able to maintain its high achievement levels by embracing programs like Auralia 4 and Musition 4, because they provide the level of organisation and customisation needed in a crowded curriculum. The school competes at a high level so it is vital that their music theory and ear training facilities are fully supportive of the end goals.

"We have many ensembles and choirs." says Rice. "We have placed twice in the top three in the Generations in Jazz competition, and our Concert Choir and Jazz Choir have both placed second in the Adelaide Choral Eisteddfod. We compete against the best music schools in Adelaide."