Music Matters

Assembly Performances

Congratulations to the Secondary musicians and choristers who performed in this week’s musical feature in Assembly.  The musical item this week provided the school with a sneak preview for Musicale 1’s Disney themed concert. Contemporary Strings, Van Reyk Percussion and choristers from Choir, Madrigal Ensemble and Year 7 Choir are combining for the grand finale in the concert to perform music from the Disney movie “Brave”. It was a rousing and energetic performance to commence the week!  Many thanks to Mrs Anne Sweeney and Miss Allison Harrigan for their direction of the musicians and choristers.  Thank you also to Mr Matt Moore who prepared the percussionists from the Van Reyk Percussion group for this combined item.

SCEGGS Eisteddfod Highlights Concert – Friday 24 March, Great Hall

Congratulations to all Primary and Secondary 2023 SCEGGS Music Eisteddfod students.  Over 280 students participated in this year’s eisteddfod with 21 Primary students and 22 Secondary students selected by the adjudicators to perform in their respective Highlights Concerts.  The adjudicators for the Primary Highlights concert were Mr Robert Harris and Ms Melanie McLoughlin (both Instrumental adjudicators).  The Secondary Highlights concert featured Ms Melanie Mcloughlin and Ms Donna Balson (Vocal adjudicator).  The adjudicators were impressed with the overall standard of musicianship in the students.  They also had the difficult task to decide on the acknowledgement awards and the overall winner of each Primary and Secondary section. 

Prior to the announcement of prizes, Mr Robert Harris shared the following thoughts in the Primary Highlights Concert:

I have enjoyed returning to adjudicate the SCEGGS Primary Heats and Concert. As in 2022, it has been exciting for me to experience again this year such an extensive program of performances by over 150 talented and dedicated young musicians, to appreciate the progress made by those who also performed last year, and to see and hear other students for the first time. My thanks and congratulations to all those young players for their good work and their achievements, many playing instruments well matched to making good progress at a young age, others playing instruments which are notorious in the music profession as being especially challenging. Therefore the concert includes a fair representation of the many other fine pianists and strings players in the SCEGGS music program but also brass, wind and percussion instrumentalists. Of course there were more than 20 players deserving of performing in the Highlights Concert but in addition to the important goal of including young musicians from every school-year level I have also selected players who, in my opinion, achieved on the day a musicality which enhanced technical abilities. My further thanks and congratulations to those who support these students’ musical endeavours – not only the friendly music staff who organise these special events so well but also the staff piano accompanists, the visiting instrumental teachers, the ‘entourage’ families of parents and siblings who support and adapt to the particular needs of private music lessons, home practise, ensemble rehearsals. Noting the long-proven and undeniable benefits to broad educational progress afforded by music and instrument study we must also thank the School for providing such a vibrant music program as part of opportunities, for students. I’m told that I may have contributed a relaxed positive experience for the performers but the pleasures have also been mine, enjoying young people bringing music into their and our lives. Congratulations everyone!

In her shared reflection at the Secondary Highlights Concert, Ms Melanie McLoughlin asked the students who performed to turn to provide their peer with a feedback and reflection of what they did well in their own performance and what they enjoyed of each other’s performance.

Congratulations to the following students:

My sincere thanks to Ms Heidi Jones and Ms Stephanie Holmes who not only oversaw the organisation and administration of the Eisteddfod but were also responsible for the accompaniment of students in individual heats as well as supporting students with their final rehearsals for the Highlights concerts.

Thank you to members of the school community, the Music Department and the outstanding team of instrumental/vocal staff for their support and contribution in making this year’s event such a success. 

Invitation for Interested String Players to apply for AUSTA String Festival 2023

An open invitation for any interested String players who would like to participate in the 2023 AUSTA’s (Australian Strings Association) String Festival on Sunday 21 May.  The event is designed to invite young string players to play in a friendly, non-competitive and supportive environment.  Players may perform either a solo piece or a work with an accompanist.  For further information please visit here.  Entries closes 7 May 2023.

Year 5 Open Classroom

Year 5 Parents were invited to take part in Open Classrooms this week.  Ms Lanneke Jones had Year 5 parents take part in her lesson with students learning to sing “Little Liza Jane” before transferring to canon and later learning parts on instruments.  It was great for parents to experience this and to see how a variety of different musical activities can transpire from a song.  Thank you, Ms Jones for sharing your lessons!

Upcoming Music Events for Term 2

Pauline Chow
Head of Music