The Gift of Music
You can feel the pride and passion exude from Janelle Fletcher as she reflects on her thirty-year career as a Music Tutor at Toowoomba Grammar School.
“It’s a long time to stay in any job,” she admitted.
“But working with the boys, seeing how important it is to have music in their lives and to develop not only as musicians but as people, that’s what’s kept me here.”
Janelle believes staff in an all-boys’ school have a real understanding of boys.
“It’s been very positive for me to see the changing face in education with boys over the years and how we connect with, engage and inspire boys to learn across the board; it’s a good thing,” said Janelle.
Janelle has played an integral role in the development of the Music Program at TGS. Watching it grow from one room with less than 50 boys involved in the co-curricular program, to the opening of the Junior School in 1997 and dedicated music facilities across the entire School. Janelle contributed to the program’s growth from a few small Senior School choirs to instrumental lessons, then the involvement of all Junior School students and the implementation of performances, competitions and musicals.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement and has been inspiring to be part of the development of such an impressive music program,” Janelle beamed.
“My role has evolved over that time too; starting out teaching piano to being involved in all aspects of the program.”
Janelle credits the success of the TGS Music Program to the dedication of staff and the calibre of educators in the music department. She said TGS seeks out the best candidates and finds the right people for the job.
“I’ve worked in a lot of schools but the support of the TGS staff and Executive has been extraordinary,” said Janelle.
“The School really nurtures the performing arts; the cliché the we’re just a sporting school is certainly not true, as anyone involved in the Arts here would know.”
Her continued connection with former students is testament to her love of her job and the passion she evokes in her tutees.
Just a few weeks ago she recognised a young man in the shops and said “Geoffrey Raymond, boarder from Gundy.” His response, “Miss Fletcher, piano teacher from TGS.” Janelle had not seen him since his last music lesson in 1994!
“That type of reconnection is a wonderful reflection on the TGS music department,” said Janelle.
“We’re not just tutors, we’re heavily involved in pastoral care as well. The boys often talk to us about life in general and we’re there to help them find their way.”
Janelle’s career is diverse. Along with her lessons at TGS, she is a Director on the Board of the Empire Theatre and the Chair of the Empire Theatre Foundation, responsible for awarding thousands of dollars in bursaries to promising performers.
She shrugged off the responsibility of the role and stated, “I invest as much time into teaching a Prep student to love music as I do into keeping the Empire Theatre operational during a pandemic.”
She has too many highlights from her career to list them all but said to see former students Andrew Stone and Alex Miller reach the pinnacle of their careers has been very satisfying. Andrew Stone (TGS Old Boy 1997-2001) is the General Manager of Chugg Music, the Record Label and Management division of Chugg Entertainment, while Alex Miller (TGS Old Boy 2007-2011) is the Associate Principal, French Horn with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
But what she finds equally rewarding is receiving photos of TGS Old Boys playing music from music sheets with Janelle’s notations on them, dating back to the nineties; or messages from them saying that they still enjoy playing music today.
“Now I teach the children of my former students,” smiled Janelle.
“And I have no plans to finish any time soon, I love it too much.”
Latest News
Historic RAP Launched by TGS
In an historic milestone, Toowoomba Grammar School launched its Reconciliation Action Plan today, Wednesday, 31 May as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations. TGS has proudly formulated this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) over the past eighteen months in close conjunction with Narragunnawali, a nationally recognised organisation that promotes reconciliation in education. Narragunnawali supports schools to develop environments that foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in our…
TGS Swimmers make a Splash Nationally
Toowoomba Grammar School Swimming club claimed swimmers claimed three national titles and a nice haul of medals at the Australian Swimming Age Championships on the Gold Coast earlier this month. Sienna Duerloo cemented her position as one of Australia’s best up and coming long distance swimmers. She is now a National Champion after swimming away with two golds – winning both the 800m and 1500m in the 17 years girls freestyle. Mackenzie Grimes is also a National Champion after collecting gold in…
TGS has the next Spielberg, we mean Rosenberg!
Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student, Ben Rosenberg is making a name for himself nationally as an up-and-coming young film maker. Ben won 'Best Director' overall at the 2022 Nextwave Youth Film Awards in Coffs Harbour on Saturday, 22 April for his film 'Green Room'. There were over 160 short films submitted to the competition from around the country and 28 films were chosen as finalists. Ben was named the Best Director overall! Ben has had previous success at this competition in his age…
It's Showtime - Grammar Art Show Time to be Exact
The 30th annual Grammar Art Show from March 24-26, will showcase a dynamic and diverse exhibition of more than 650 contemporary Australian artworks on display, a further 275 online from 220 different artists. The Grammar Art Show has become such a prestigious exhibition that artists from all over Australia nominate their work months before the Show and, unfortunately, many don’t make the final cut. Grammar Art Show is recognised as one of Toowoomba's signature events, attracting over 3,500…
Student Art Show Online
We are excited to launch our 2023 Student Art Show. Thank you to all the guests who came to this wonderful Opening Night on Friday, 17 March to support our young artists. Featuring the work of 125 of our Art students of 2022, this exhibition is in our Art Gallery in the Henderson building into Term 2 for TGS families to enjoy. It is also open to the public during the weekend of the Grammar Art Show, 25 and 26 March. Can't make it to our Gallery? Enjoy the works online - and share with long…
TGS Music Teacher Hitting the Right Notes
A Toowoomba Grammar School Music teacher has been appointed to a highly regarded international position, one of the only people in Australia to have the role. Woodwind teacher and accompanist, Melissa Buchholz has received the honour of a position on the Trinity College London music examinations panel. This position is considered one of the highest in the music industry examination sectors. "This has been a lifelong dream of mine and a rigorous two year process to be appointed," said Mel. "I…
2022 1st Basketball team presented with Premiership Caps
At a special School Assembly yesterday, Thursday, 2 February The TGS Old Boys' Association, represented by President, Mark Creedon (1973-77) and committee member, Nicholas Hess (1997-2001) presented the players in the 2022 Basketball 1st V with a Premiership Cap in recognition of their efforts and achievement of winning a GPS Premiership. It has become a TGSOBA honoured tradition to make a presentation of a Premiership Cap to the players of a Premiership side as a recognition of their feat. The…
Headmaster's Welcome to 2023
Dear TGS families As I write, our Senior School campus is a hive of activity with new students and their families attending our informative Orientation Day. The Junior School campus is also busy with new boys and their families visiting to meet their teachers. All TGS staff members are eagerly anticipating the return of all boys tomorrow. After a number of COVID-impacted years, it is wonderful to be able to commence the academic year without disruption and in our traditional fashion. I extend…
