Primary and Secondary Music

Festival on Forbes – the stats

• 2 major equipment moves – thank you to all the students who helped
• 3 stages
• 8 hours of music
• 30 SCEGGS ensembles
• 300+ performers
• Hundreds of appreciative audience members

With special thanks to the SCEGGS Music Staff and tutors and the SCEGGS Maintenance team.

Here are some images from the day:

2025 International Music Tour

The SCEGGS Music Department are very excited to be travelling to Europe in 2025, with performances in Venice and St Peter’s Basilica just two highlights of the trip. A reminder that deposits are due on Thursday 12 September via Humanitix. Please contact Mr Gresham if you have any questions.

I would like to thank everyone who has shown interest in the 2025 Music Tour. While this will be the first international music tour for SCEGGS, I have had the good fortune to run three previous tours with Hayes Travel.

Students in secondary school ensembles are invited to attend, and we plan on taking a choir, band, and string orchestra. The bulk of the tour repertoire will be taken from the pieces learnt in these ensembles throughout the year. In addition, there will be Sunday afternoon rehearsals in Term 4, 2025, to learn the additional repertoire.

Here is the draft itinerary. This will be finalised once we have student numbers and flights are booked. The price range for the tour will be between $9,500-$9,750, depending on the number of students, exchange rate and final program. This price includes a down tour jacket. A deposit of $1,000 is required by Thursday 12 September, and can be paid via the link here. Tour payments will then proceed in three instalments (dates to be confirmed).

At present the tour is open to students currently in the secondary school. Any parent interested in travelling with us can give an expression of interest by replying to this email. For families who wish to extend their time overseas, details about split-offs at the end of the tour will be sent out at a later date.

David Gresham
Head of Music (Curriculum)

Encore Concert

Congratulations to our HSC musicians on their outstanding performances at the Encore concert. We wish them all the very best in the upcoming practical exams.

Cat Empire Project

Next week 50 SCEGGS choristers head into production week for The Cat Empire project.  This exciting performance opportunity sees our singers singing in Sydney Opera House backing Australian band The Cat Empire accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.  These performances on Friday September 6 and Saturday September 7 are now sold out but families of participating girls are advised to register to attend the open rehearsal at the Opera House, register for the Friday night live streaming. All performers need to check the rehearsal schedule carefully as it is a busy but inspiring week. Please contact Allison Harrigan  for further information.

Theory Lessons for Secondary Students – Friday lunchtime in DB2

The SCEGGS Music Department will be starting free music theory lessons during Friday lunch in DB2. These are to prepare students for AMEB theory and/or musicianship exams. While the lessons are free, there will be a cost involved in the purchase of theory books and registration for exams. Mr Gresham will contact parents with recommendations for grade levels before any purchases are made. Please contact Mr David Gresham if you have any questions.

Contemporary Strings Soirees

Thursday 12 September 1.10-1.40pm in DB1 & Thursday 19 September 1.10-1.40pm in DB1

All string players in Contemporary Strings are invited to perform a short solo at one of two lunchtime concerts being held this term. Performances of this nature, in front of a supportive and appreciative audience are vital for a musician’s development and all players are encouraged to perform and support their friends. Mrs Sweeney will be organising the solo concert programs during Contemporary Strings rehearsals over the coming weeks. Please discuss with your instrument tutor a short solo piece that might be suitable to perform. Girls are also very welcome to perform a duet with a friend! Piano accompaniment will be provided at both concerts.

Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival – Sunday, 15 September

Several SCEGGS ensembles will perform at the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival this year. The Festival is a non-competitive event where ensembles receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze rating based on their performance. This is a wonderful opportunity for our SCEGGS ensembles to perform on stage, hear other school ensembles, and receive valuable feedback from professional adjudicators. Please find more information here.

Please see the table below for details of the events occurring on Sunday 15 September

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.

Clipboard

All co-curricular music ensemble schedules are now available on Clipboard. If you haven’t set this up yet, please follow the provided instructions. For any issues with Clipboard set-up, contact our Music Administration Assistant Miss Alice Kotowicz.

Upcoming Events:

Term 3

Heidi Jones
Head of Music (Co-curricular)