From the Music Department

Congratulations to…

… All students who performed at Band Concert last Tuesday: Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Stage Band, Symphonic Winds, Year 12 Rock Band ‘D’funkt’ and the two Year 12 soloists, Andrew and Daniel. Thank you to the Directors of Ensembles, Mr Blunt, Mr Payne, and Ms Robertson, for all of their hard work in making this event possible. Thank you to Dr Gilmour, Mr Grimshaw, Ms Day, and Ms Wentzel for the support they provided. Thank you to Mr Dorich for his organisation of this event. The Lampada Gallery can be viewed here.

… All students who attended Choir Camp last Wednesday and Thursday. There was an array of activities including: TaikOz workshop, Connor Malanos Beatboxing workshop, Ruth McCall Composition workshop, Jack Stephens interview, Dance Bollywood activity, and an outstanding Masterclass with renowned vocalist Mr Andrew Goodwin. This was, of course, on top of Choir and sectional rehearsals. Thank you to Ms Belshaw, Ms Day, Dr Gilmour and Ms Wentzel for all of their hard work in making this event possible. Thank you to Mr Massey for his organisation of this event.

Australian Music Day

Last Friday, the Shore Elective Music classes from Years 9, 10 and 11 travelled to the MLC school for an Australian Music Day excursion. We split into two groups, with one attending Jack Symonds’ session on composing utilising the renowned chamber group Ensemble Offspring to discover methods of developing musical motifs with the use of the prepared Piano and extremes of register on the Contrabass Clarinet and Alto Flute. The other group joined Cassie To in a composition masterclass, where students composed a film score for a drone video clip, attempting to develop themes of fantasy, drama, and documentary. In the next session, the students were joined by Australian artist Josh Pyke, who provided a masterclass on both composition and performance. It was inspiring to see young musicians perform their own original pieces, where Pyke provided valuable feedback for everybody to learn from, making the day well worth the trip in harsh weather. The other group had their compositions workshopped by Emma Greenhill, who focused on writing for the violin, and concluded with renowned composer Dr Paul Stanhope, who gave tips and tricks on composing, with Ensemble Offspring performing student works. The feedback was positive on all fronts, with students finding the day highly constructive as well as highly enjoyable.

Noah Kordek
(Year 11)

Concert Group

Last Friday, I and several other Shore boys attended the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Gershwin & Shostakovich concert. It was a truly eye-opening experience for all of us, offering insight into how music can express grief, trauma, and political resistance. We learned how different arrangements can use various instruments to achieve similar emotional effects, dramatically altering the colour and character of the music. The addition of contrasting instruments, such as the trumpet and piano playing alongside a full string section, showed us how these elements can blend beautifully through tonicisation and harmonies to create a powerful sound. Overall, it was an amazing experience that greatly enriched our understanding of classical music.

Claude Boddam-Whetham
(Year 9)

The highlight of the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Gershwin & Shostakovich national tour was undoubtedly Alexander Gavrylyuk’s electrifying performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Making his long-awaited ACO debut, Gavrylyuk delivered the iconic Jazz-infused work with extraordinary flair, capturing both its rhythmic vitality and lyrical charm. The programme also featured Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and the world premiere of Moments of Memory (VII) by exiled Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov—a deeply personal response to the war in Ukraine. Blending beloved classics with contemporary reflection, the concert was a powerful reminder of music’s ability to inspire and connect.

Joel Gilmour
(Year 12)

Music Awards

Exciting news! Music Awards are coming up, so start practising! The Heats will begin on Monday 25 August and will run for two weeks until 5 September. There will be QR codes to sign up shortly around the Music Dept, so you can play as a soloist or in an ensemble for points for your House. We are fortunate to have Mr Timothy Chung adjudicate for us this year. He is a Conductor, music educator, and performer based in Sydney, with over three decades of experience. He has worked extensively with various ensembles and educational institutions throughout his career, serving as Musical Director of the Sydney University Musical Society, Principal Conductor of the Macquarie University Singers, and Foundation Director of VOX. He has also been a Guest Conductor with the Gondwana Matthew Doyle Choir (young men’s voices).

Currently, Tim focuses on conducting and performing as a countertenor. He has performed as a soloist and chorister with renowned groups, including the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Choir, Cantillation, Pinchgut Opera, ACO Voices, the Sydney University Graduate Choir, St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir and St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, where he serves as an Alto Lay Clerk. He is also the countertenor in Consort 8, a Sydney-based early music ensemble that performs sacred and secular repertoire. Consort 8 regularly presents concerts at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Burwood, and Santa Sabina Chapel, Strathfield.

Since 2009, Tim has conducted annual performances of Handel’s Messiah at the Sydney Town Hall, an endeavour he holds close to his heart.

Ms Alex Wentzel
Head of Strings (ELC-12)

	Date	Event	Students Required	Venue	Time
Aug	Mon 25 – Fri 5 Sep	Music Awards Heats	Any student who learns an instrument may audition	Strings Room	Various
Sept	Thurs 4	Confirmation Service Music Rehearsals	Chapel Choir	Choir Room	8.20am
	Sun 7	Confirmation Service	Chapel Choir	Chapel	9.00am
	Thurs 11	Year 12 Family Service Music Rehearsal	ForeShore Choir	Choir Room	8.20am
	Mon 8 – Fri 19	HSC Music Practical Exams	Year 12 Elective Music Students	Choir Room	TBC
	Fri 12	American Tea performances	Stage Band, ForeShore,	Various	All Day
	Sun 14	Year 12 Family Service	ForeShore Choir	Chapel	9.00am
	Tues 16	Instrumental and Choral Concert Rehearsals	Choir, Orchestra, Intermediate String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble	Smith Auditorium	All Day
	Tues 16	Instrumental and Choral Concert	Choir, Orchestra, Intermediate String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble	Smith Auditorium	7.00pm
	Thurs 18	Music Function	Co-curricular Music students	Hawkins Foyer	5.30pm
	Tues 23	Year 7 Exhibition Night	All of Year 7	War Memorial Hall	4.40pm
	Thurs 25	Concert Group Excursion to see SSO: The Music of Joe Hisaishi	Students who selected to attend this concert.	Sydney Opera House	7.00pm

Mrs Kim Barber
Head of Music