Phil Beverley, Director of Music

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week we took time to reflect and celebrate the Easter story. For our community, it was a poignant moment to take stock and evaluate what we hold dear and witness our students ‘being’ rather than seeming to be.

For the students, it was another performance opportunity to share their love of music and a chance to challenge their musical capacity. In true fanfare fashion, select members of the Symphonic Winds and Concert Bands formed a brass ensemble and performed Humperdinck’s Prayer as the opening work. Our Chamber Strings, led by Mr Martyn Hentschel, filled the room with beautiful music composed by Jean Sibelius and Australian Composer Ross Edwards. Edwards’ reflective and melancholic Enyato I: Chorale Sereno and Sebelius‘ Andante Festivo set the reflective tone of the evening. Boy’s Vocal Ensemble performed Thomas Tallis’ If ye loved me and commanded the stage. A huge thank you to the outstanding soprano work of Agnes Sarkis who sung the soprano line of this work. The Senior School Choir tackled a significant work by Anton Bruckner titled Locus Iste, filling the Chapel with polyphony, and for the first time in an Easter Concert, we welcomed the Junior School Voices under the direction of Mr Peter Fox. The young voices added a powerful dimension to the sound and complimented the 90 Senior School choristers who surrounded the Audience and performed, Going up a Yonder in-the-round as the final work.

Thank you to all the hard work of our wonderful parents who support the musicians of Cranbrook by encouraging and facilitating regular practice, provide the transportation for super early starts and give their time to enjoy the fruits of their labour. You are certainly being rather than seeming to be and if last week’s performance is anything to go by, it’s worth it.

As we look forward to Term 2 we can expect lots of performances on the road to our Week 9 Town Hall Concert on Monday 24 June. Jazz Night, our Contemporary Music showcase AMPED at Marrickville Theatre, Masterclasses, Soirees, Lunchtime Concert Practices, and more to come in Term 2. I look forward to welcoming you to one of our upcoming events.

I am pleased to announce that Dr Elizabeth Scott is presenting the Term 2 Keynote which will have a special focus on practice and intonation. Something that is essential for all musicians. Dr 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.

A final note to parents about scheduling of lessons and arrival times for rehearsals. All sessions are now listed on Clipboard which students can access via their single sign on. Parents also have access via the Cranbrook App. If I could encourage all students to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to any rehears start time. Rooms need to be set up, and instruments need to be assembled. We know stuff happens from time to time but anything you can do to continue to support good habits is much appreciated.

Warm Regards

Phil Beverley
Director of Music