Music Matters

In Music Matters this week, read about:

• Performances at Festival on Forbes
• Cello Masterclass at Opera House
• Term 2 AMEB Examination Involvement

• External Eisteddfods

Performances at Festival on Forbes

Almost all our music ensembles are preparing for performances at Festival on Forbes on Sunday, 23 August. We look forward to sharing music with the SCEGGS community. Click here to see performance schedule/meeting place.

Cello Masterclass at Opera House

Last Tuesday, 13 students from Years 7-10 had the opportunity to attend a masterclass with the renowned cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Growing up in a very musical family in the UK, Sheku began learning the cello at age 6 and later studied the Royal Academy of Music before performing at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018 when he was just 19.

During the masterclass, we had the pleasure of listening to SSO Fellows Noah Lawrence and Rio Kawaguchi, along with Sydney Conservatorium of Music student Andy Lin play pieces they have been studying. Sheku offered inspiring advice, encouraging them to trust their ears and imagination, stay connected with the audience, and fully embrace the character and emotion of the music. He spoke about shaping phrases with greater expansion and allowing harmonies and key changes to tell a story. His thoughtful and creative coaching left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance, and I know many of us left feeling inspired to put Sheku’s advice into practice!

We are incredibly fortunate to have a music department that provides us with opportunities like these, and I would like to thank Mr Gresham and Mrs Sweeney for organising this experience.

Term 2 AMEB Examination Involvement

We congratulate the following students who recently completed their AMEB exams:

We would love to hear of any other students who did AMEB exams last term. Please send details to to our Music Administrator.

EXTERNAL EISTEDDFODS

Participating in an external eisteddfod is a valuable opportunity for students to develop confidence, performance skills and musical resilience. Performing for an independent adjudicator provides constructive feedback, encourages goal setting and exposes students to a broad range of repertoire and performers. We encourage students to consider participating in well-established events such as Sydney Eisteddfod, Inner West Eisteddfod, City of Ryde Eisteddfod and Wollongong Eisteddfod, all of which offer a wide range of instrumental, vocal and ensemble performance opportunities for young musicians. A number of primary students have been involved in Eisteddfods recently and have some wonderful results to share.

Audrey Wang, Year 1

• First place – St George Eisteddfod 7 & under Piano
• Second place – St George Eisteddfod Open 7 & under Piano

Alice Zhang, Year 3

• First Place – St George Instrumental Eisteddfod, Open 7th and 8th grades Music on the Move Award All strings
• First Place –City of Ryde Eisteddfod, Open 9 Years and Under Orchestral String Solo
• First Place – Inner West Eisteddfod, Open 8 Years and Under Violin and Cello
• First Place – Wollongong Eisteddfod, Open 8 Years and Under String Solo
• First Place – St George Instrumental Eisteddfod, Etude and Study
• First Place – St George Instrumental Eisteddfod, Open 8 Years and Under
• First Place – Wollongong Eisteddfod, 8 Years and Under
• First Place – St George Instrumental Eisteddfod, 8 Years and Under
• Highly Commended – Sydney Eisteddfod, 12 Years and Under Violin

Lauren Lee, Year 4

• First Place – St George Eisteddfod Open 5th & 6th Grade Violin
• Highly Commended – St George Eisteddfod Restricted 8 & Under Violin

Music beyond the Green Gate

We love hearing about ways our musicians are involved in music-making outside of school. Please send details to Heidi Jones.

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)