Phil Beverley, Director of Music
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Performance Plus Keynote – Pathways
I am thrilled to begin this term with an invitation for all music students to attend our final Performance Plus Keynote Address for the year. The theme is Pathways.
Date: Monday, 21 October
Time: 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Venue: Orchestra Room
For this event, we will be welcoming three wonderful guests for a panel discussion: Associate Professor Vladimir Gorbachfrom the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Old Cranbrookian Paul Nicolaou, and musician, actor, writer, and comedian Tim Minchin.
All three panelists have varied ways through which they’ve realised their artistic passions. This event is a must if you are curious about unveiling the steps that could be ahead if you are thinking about studying and performing music beyond your years at Cranbrook.
Read Professor Gorbach’s bio here
Read Mr Nicolaou’s bio here
Read Tim Minchin’s bio here
Little Shop of Horrors is sure to wow crowds over the next week and a half. Don’t forget to book your tickets and secure a seat. This is one show not to be Little Shop of Horrors (humanitix.com)
A new Addition to the Team
This week, we officially welcome the newest member of the Cranbrook Music Department, Anthony Pasquill. As the Head of Choral and Piano, he will oversee instrumental lessons in these two essential fields as well as serve as the School’s Accompanist and Choral Director P-12, giving shape and direction to the choral programme as a whole.
Mr Pasquill was listed by Limelight magazine as a Rising Star in Australia’s choral scene, and has worked with some of today’s leading conductors, preparing choirs across the UK and Australia. As well as working with young musicians, Mr Pasquill is also heavily involved in the Sydney choral scene as a conductor and has worked with some of Australia’s finest professional choirs and orchestras including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
He was the Artistic and Musical Director of Bel a cappella having led the ensemble for 14 years and toured Europe twice, pushing the boundaries of choral music with music by MacMillan, Jackson, Twist, Rautavaara, Tormis, Chance, Shaw, Schnittke and other composers.
Year 12 Music complete
Year 12 exams are now complete for Music and although they await the results with great anticipation, I would Like to acknowledge the Exceptional work of Wesley Woodhouse and Harry Tennant who both received performance nominations for Encore. This is a good sign of things to come. Congratulations to you both Harry and Wes. For many of this year’s cohort, I’m confident that this is just the beginning of their musical journey. Well done to all.
Goal Setting for the future
Now is the time to discuss with your music tutors your musical goals for the coming year. Cranbrook will host AMEB examinations again in Term 3, 2025 and preparations for this should start now. In the coming few weeks please discuss which grade you might sit and purchase original copies of all music that you will need. Preparations need to be well underway before we break for Christmas if you are ambitions for a high level mark. Cranbrook Music Department will be taking AMEB enrolments in the second half of Term 1, 2025. Whether exams are a goal or just a Lunchtime concert performance, goal setting is essential in ensuring progression and engagement with music making.
Lastly, I’d like to reflect on the incredible work of so many students over the course of this year. From our Easter Concert in term One and the incredible talent on display at AMPED and the Spring Festival, to the massed involvement and breadth of musical passion on display at the Sydney Town Hall, thank you for keeping music a part of your child’s life. Your constant encouragement and support at home helps them strive to succeed that little bit more. This really does filter through all they do. It encourages the very best in them as individuals and helps make a positive and impactful contribution to our community.
In recognition of the success of our Town Hall Concert please enjoy these short excerpts from our Town Hall Concert THREADS. I look forward to welcoming you to a music event in the coming weeks and months.
Warm Regards
Phil Beverley
Director of Music