Phil Beverley, Director of Music

Dear Staff and Students

History making week for Music

It was a special fortnight for Music at Cranbrook, with no less than four Showcases and the induction of our ninth Head of School, to give just a taste of what is happening in the musical life of our students. The Composition Showcase included works from Year 11 and 12, due to the incredible creativity of all our elective Music streams across HSC and IB. It was an intimate and special evening which highlighted the breadth of diverse interests of our students. The HSC Performance Showcase gave each student a chance to perform just one selected piece from their programmes that are being prepared for the HSC. On Thursday in the Junior School we heard over 140 students perform in the annual Spring Festival Music Eisteddfod across four venues. Rounding out the week, we held our 7th Spring Festival Solo Music Competition: 240 students performing across nine venues, supported by every student and staff member in the School. On Tuesday, the Junior School Voices, Senior Choir, and Symphony Orchestra supported the induction ceremony of Dr Anne Johnstone, a milestone moment in the School’s history. What a joy it was to have elements from the breadth of our Music programme in support of this special occasion.

HSC ahead

We are excited for the coming week as the HSC Music students complete their final practical examinations and wish them all the best as they place the finishing touches on their performances and compositions. Good luck Year 12.

Spring Festival success

Events like Spring Festival are only made possible by the support and hard work of so many. To our Music and Drama (MAD) Committee, who help support this event by supporting the cost of expert adjudication, as well as providing much-needed hydration and sustenance to everyone: your efforts on the day of Spring Festival and throughout the week at our various showcases have helped make each night a special one for all.

Thank you to Ms Sanders and Ms Fletcher for helping curate the audience, and to the prefects who welcomed everyone with aplomb. To our Marketing team for assisting in the production of maps and directions for the less familiar people to Cranbrook. To our Maintenance team, who not only helped set up our nine venues, but also supported the TAS project set-up and Visual Arts Body of Works Exhibition. Finally, to all the mentors and students, whose enthusiasm and support of each other was heart-warming for all to see. The list of finalists and Adjudicators’ Awards can be found here.

Spring Festival Finals Recital

In Week 9, on Tuesday 16 September, we host our Finals Concert. This event will be adjudicated by Dr Elizabeth Scoot, who has been our Masterclass and Keynote Music Specialist throughout 2025, as part of our Performance Plus programme. Space for this event will be limited to the capacity of the Orchestra Room. This is not a ticketed event, and parents and staff will be prioritised with regards to seating. Perimeter space and some standing room for students will be available within the space on the night.

Phillip Beverley
Director of Music