Philip Beverley, Director of Music
Music is back in the Perkins Building and the students of Cranbrook are now blessed to have a dedicated space to hone their musical craft. There will be several opportunities to see the new facilities this term as we are not short on musical events. There are still a few final touches to be made but the transformation of teaching and learning within the walls of the oldest building in the School will certainly help inspire excellence among the students who use the space.
Performance Plus: Pathways
Term 4 began with us exploring the pathways of a great Australian Musician who’s own musical journey resonated with many in the room. Nick Russoniello is a highly accomplished and dynamic saxophonist, composer, ensemble leader and educator. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” di Milano, Nick has appeared as a soloist or guest musician with many of Australia’s premier arts organisations including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian World Orchestra, the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring, Metropolitan Orchestra and the Acacia Quartet. He has been the recipient of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australian Young Performer of the Year Award, Fine Music Kruger Scholarship and a finalist for the Australian Freedman Fellowship.
Nick spoke passionately about his journey to create a career as a musician. His musical experiences stem from all worlds of music and it was an amazing experience to have someone of Nick’s skill and creativity unpack how he builds sound worlds and draws upon these experiences.
AMEB success
Congratulations to over 60 individual students who underwent AMEB and Trinity College performance examination at the end of last term. These results are now available within each student’s portfolio. It is a wonderful sign of the strength of music making as soloists and we look forward to the next chapter in their musical development.
European Music Tour preparations
On Sunday, we welcomed over 40 students from St Catherine’s and began this semester’s preparations for the European Music tour, due to depart at the end of this term. We made full use of all the music spaces and the students are filled with excitement as they prepare music to perform in some of Europe’s finest venues, including St Nicholas Church Prague, St Lawrence, Hodonin and Lisinski Hall Zagreb.
Upcoming events
- Tuesday 7 November – NEU! Original Music Night
Packer Theatre – 6:30 pm
- Thursday 23 November – Soirée – Small Ensembles
Chapel – 6:30 pm
Warm regards
Phil Beverley
Director of Music