Music Matters

2024 SCEGGS Darlinghurst Combined Ensembles Tour to New Zealand (Amati, Holst, Senior Choir and Madrigal Ensemble)

At the beginning of the term, SCEGGS Music Department were thrilled to announce a proposal for a Combined Ensembles Tour to New Zealand in 2024. 

At the conclusion of Musicale 2, an information session was held for interested families.  The Combined Ensembles tour is planned for nine days to take place at the end of Term 2, over the first week of the 2024 June/July school holidays. 

All families interested in this tour, should download the attached information letter. Firm expressions of interest are required

BOOK YOUR TICKETS: SCEGGS Choir and Madrigal Ensemble performing Spinifex Gum with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday 21 June

SCEGGS’ Choir and Madrigal Ensemble are very excited to have been invited to sing in  Spinifex Gum & the Sydney Symphony in the Sydney Opera House. The performance will be held on the evening of Wednesday June 21 and will bring together the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Marliya – the award-winning all-female ensemble of talented young Indigenous singers from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, the Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana National Choirs. Spinifex Gum is a composing collaboration between Marliya and The Cat Empire members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill. This modern song cycle addresses pervasive issues for Australia’s First Nations people, from the social disparity present in the Pilbara to deaths in custody, disproportionate incarceration, land rights and more. This work sung in English and Yindjibarndi brings a vibrant young voice to these important themes. Our choristers are thrilled about this opportunity and are enjoying learning music that carries such important messages.  Tickets are selling fast and available by clicking on the following link Spinifex Gum & the Sydney Symphony .

Piano Concerts – Term 2 Week 8

Two concerts will be held on Thursday 15 June in the Great Hall for Piano students.

• Primary Piano Concert – will begin at 3.30pm
• Secondary Piano Concert – will begin at 4.30pm

To book a place to perform in either the Primary or Secondary concert – please complete the form in the link below:

• Primary Piano Concert link: Form – Primary Piano Concert
• Secondary Piano Concert link: Form – Secondary Piano Concert

Reminder: Bugles ‘Fun Day’ Workshop – Sunday 28 May 10am to 1pm

All members of Bugles wind band are participating in a workshop on Sunday 28 May from 10am to 1pm.  This workshop is to help with the preparation of this band for the City of Sydney Eisteddfod on Tuesday 6 June.

Parents are asked to drop their daughters at the Diana Bowman Performing Arts Centre with their instruments at 10am to rehearse in the Great Hall.

Parents are invited to a short performance starting at 12:45pm. 

Students will be served morning tea and lunch.  They will need to bring their own water bottle with them for the session.

Year 8 Elective Music

Year 8 Elective Music students attended the Brandenburg Orchestra’s performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Gloria on Friday 5 May.  This excursion to this performance forms part of the class’s study of Baroque Music. Thank you to Ms Alison Ryan for organising this excursion for the class.  Below are two reviews of the concert:

The time is 7:06pm on Friday 5 May. The crowd comes to a hush as conductor Paul Dyer steps onto the stage. He informs us the concert will be divided into two sections: secular (below the clouds) and sacred (above the clouds). With a round of applause the orchestra hits the stage, led by violinist Shaun Lee-Chen. They launch into a passionate rendition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons- Spring, followed by Summer, Autumn, and finally Winter. With Lee-Chen’s humorous take on the pieces and pure talent, the audience leaves the first half at a loss for words.

After a 25-minute interval we are taken above the clouds to the world of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Dressed entirely in black, the choir stands in a line, their faces blank with concentration. We hear solos from both soprano and tenor singers. as they belt the final notes of Gloria In Excelsis Deo, they fall dramatically to the floor, the lights going out. As the lights turn back on, the choir is greeted with a jubilant standing ovation.

Josephine Grayden

The Australian Brandenburg Concert of Gloria and the Four Seasons was a breathtaking musical experience that showcased the talents of some of Australia’s finest musicians. The concert featured a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons, as well as Gloria which are both baroque pieces that highlighted the virtuosity of the performers.

The concert was led by the talented artistic director, Paul Dyer, who conducted the orchestra enthusiastically. The soloists were also outstanding, especially violinist, Shaun Lee-Chen, who delivered a great performance of The Four Seasons. His technical proficiency and emotional depth were what stood out to me.

Another standout performer was the soprano singer, Siobhan Stagg, who had a strong voice and sang with clarity. Her rendition of the Gloria in D major was particularly moving, as she captured the spiritual essence of the piece with her exquisite phrasing and nuanced interpretation.

Overall, the Australian Brandenburg Concert of Gloria and the Four Seasons was an amazing musical experience that showcased the brilliance of Australian musicians and the enduring power of baroque music.

Ashley Diec

AMEB Exam – Cello

Congratulations to Bronte Lusted (Year 2) who completed her first AMEB Preliminary Cello Comprehensive Exam.  Bronte completed her exam on Saturday 5 May and achieved an outstanding result!  A terrific start to your cello learning Bronte!

St. Mark’s Choral Scholarship

Interested SCEGGS Students (16-18 years) are invited to apply for the Choral Scholarship offered by St. Mark’s Church in Darling Point.  Please see the flyer for further information and audition details.

Upcoming Music Events

Term 2

Term 3

Pauline Chow
Head of Music