Music Matters

Music Week Concert Featuring Emma Pask

Congratulations to the musicians from Amati Strings, Basie Jazz Band, Bugles, Cantare, Choir, Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, Madrigal Ensemble, Primary and Secondary Jazz Combos who participated in workshops and performed with outstanding Australian Jazz vocalist Emma Pask.  Congratulations also to our secondary vocalists: Akira Nicholson (Year 11), Hebe Zines (Year 10) and Martha Elgood Cann (Year 9) who worked individually with Emma to prepare for their solo items in the Music Week Concert.

Year 7 and Elective Music students from Years 8 to 11, also participated in workshops with Emma and her musical director Mr Kevin Hunt.  Students learnt to sing the main melody to Jazz standards and were taught some of the fundamental skills with improvisation in the style.

To highlight Music Week, a series of lunchtime performances were also shared with the school community.  These performances featured our advanced pianists concert, rock ensembles, the Van Reyk percussion ensemble and finally series of group performances by our elective and primary students – Giselle Wharton and Olivia Yan.

Many thanks to Ms Emma Pask for her amazing musicianship and generosity of spirit working with our girls.  Every student who had the opportunity of working with her emerged from their session with improved knowledge and awareness of Jazz.

Thank you also to the Music Department for their preparation of students and ensembles for Music Week.  The concert last Thursday evening 27 July was a celebration of the importance of Music and the joy it brings.

Amati Strings Swing! 

In addition to working with our visiting Guest Artist jazz vocalist Emma Pask as part of Music Week, Amati Strings had an intensive workshop with jazz specialist Simon Sweeney. Simon is on the Jazz Faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has decades of experience in music education. Simon was able to help the Amati musicians better understand the jazz idiom – something that is not familiar to classical string players. The girls utilised their well-developed aural skills, making a huge improvement in the performance of “Queen Bee” by Sammy Nestico, which was then shared at Musical 3. Simon’s focus on articulation, tone and “finding the pocket” to really swing was an enjoyable experience for all! Special thanks to Ms Allison Harrigan on piano and Zara Perkins on drums.  

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.

Sydney Children’s Choir – Chorister for a Day

Sydney Children’s Choir is inviting  students from K-6 to come along to their Chorister for a Day program this weekend! This is your chance to experience being a member of the Sydney Children’s Choir. Come along to sing beautiful music, learn new skills and meet new friends. You’ll be able to meet the wonderful conductors, including Mrs Cleworth, and talk to the staff about what it’s like to be in the choir.

Reserve your place to booking a free ticket, registration is essential: Chorister for a Day – Term 3 2023 | Humanitix

Sydney Youth Orchestra Auditions

Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) is the leading orchestral training and education provider in NSW. Involvement in SYO weekly ensembles fosters dedication, commitment, teamwork, confidence and many other skills which translate into every aspect of life. Auditions are now open for musicians from Years K-11 to become involved with SYO for 2024. Please discuss the audition requirements with your daughter’s music tutor to help to prepare thoroughly. Click here to join.

Upcoming Music Events

Term 3

Pauline Chow
Head of Music