Phil Beverley, Director of Music
Dear Parent sand Caregivers
Over the break we had the wonderful opportunity to work with the Elective Music students from Lightning Ridge Central School. Their students from Years 11 and 12 came to Sydney and participated in a series of workshops with Sydney’s Arts institutions including the Conservatorium of Sydney, NIDA, and AIM as well as with masterclasses held by our faculty at Cranbrook School. I’d like to pay tribute to their Head Music teacher Mr Lucas Schembri for coordinating the opportunity for his students. Lucas is a former student of mine from my time at The King’s School and he has forged a wonderful career as a music educator, taking his passion and drive to regional NSW to share the love of music and create the first elective class in the school’s history.
During the workshops our students had the opportunity to meet and interact with the students from Lightning Ridge and through a love of music the experience was embraced by all. I am so very grateful to the hard-working Music staff who gave their time in the first week to share their expertise in Performance, Musicology and Composition, helping make the experience a fulfilling and enjoyable one. The students from the Ridge (as they call it) showed an immense amount of musicality and thrived on the opportunity to share their talents and respond to the feedback on offer as they begin their final preparations for their HSC Performances, Compositions and Musicological Viva Voces. Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together but it hard to beat the way food does it. We all certainly enjoyed the catering option from Arthur’s Pizza.
Coming in Term 2 we have a plethora of performances. This is the term where we ramp up in preparation for the Whole School Town Hall Concert. The connection of our newest Junior School musicians and celebrate the tremendous commitment of our Year 12s while supporting everyone in between. These threads help keep the vibrancy of our community alive and I am excited to see the final product on 24 June. Ticket for this event will go on sale much closer to the date. For our new Year 7 and 8 parents, this is a compulsory event where every student in these years will form part of the massed choir and showcase what they have been singing in class this semester in addition the snapshot of the work being done across the Ensemble Music programme.
Coming up this term
- Monday 6 May – Performance Plus Keynote with Dr Elizabeth Scott (A focus on Performance Practice) Orchestra Room 3:30-5pm.
All elective students are expected and all students are encouraged to attend. Elizabeth Scott is a lecturer in conducting and the director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Choir. She is the Associate Music Director of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and has performed and recorded with Cantillation, Pinchgut Opera and The Song Company.
- Wednesday 15 May – Jazz Night In the Packer Theatre 6:30pm This night will feature the amazing talents of our Jazz musicians and ensembles as well as special guest Dave Panichi and his big band. Dave is one of Australia’s leading Jazz Trombonists who has forged a career across every continent. His band of talented emerging artists has some of Australia’s best soloists. This will be a night to remember. Ticket bookings are required and an invitation will be sent early next week. Table and Gallery seating will be available.
- Tuesday 21 May – AMPED! OZ Rock to be held at the Factory Theatre Marrickville. Tickets essential and will be on via a link in next week’s link. Due to the 30 plus bands who are diligently preparing, we will hold 2 sessions this year. If you love Aussie Rock why not come to both.
- Monday 24 June – Whole School Town Hall Showcase 7 pm
Phil Beverley
Director of Music