From the Music Department
Concert Group – When George Met Arnold 14 May at Sydney Opera House
When George Met Arnold combines a newly created film with live performance to tell the story of the remarkable relationship between two of the greatest composers of the 20th century. The program of the concert celebrates the music of George Gershwin and Arnold Schoenberg; two composers of very different backgrounds, working in very different styles, who nevertheless became firm friends and supporters of each other’s work. George met Arnold in the late 1930s when the latter joined the influx of refugees from Hitler who settled in California. In Gershwin he found not only a composer whom he admired, but a fellow enthusiast of painting and, perhaps more importantly, tennis. The two would play tennis together each week without fail, discussing that which formed much of the basis of their compositional inspiration: music, art, love, and the political situation in Europe. This continued until Gershwin’s early death in 1937, at age 38, after which Schoenberg would write, expressing his “deepest grief for the deplorable loss to music,” but mentioning too his loss of “a friend whose amiable personality was very dear to me.”
The program included excerpts from Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F and Porgy & Bess, widely respected as perhaps the most successful American Opera of the 20th century, and excerpts from numerous Schoenberg works such as Piano Concerto, Pelléas and Mélisande and Five Pieces for Orchestra. Performing this unique collection of repertoire was Roger Benedict, a world-renowned conductor and violist, conducting the prestigious Sydney Symphony Orchestra and featuring the prominent Australian classical pianist Simon Tedeschi.
Joel Gilmour
Year 11
Congratulations to…
…our Music Scholars Charlie Corbett-Jones, Joel Gilmour, Ryan Gilmour, Russell Jiang, Justin Lee, William Lee, Alan Li, Jono Loy, and Jeddy Sam who performed last Wednesday 22 May at the Scholars’ Recital. The repertoire was of a very high standard, and the technical facility required was impressive. Thank you to Ms Oxley, who accompanied these students and to Ms Wentzel and Ms Fitzgerald for their support in organising this event.
Year 9 Elective Concert
Top image: Year 9 Elective Concert
Year 7 Introduction to Band and Orchestra
Upcoming Events
Year 11 Elective Music Soiree
On Wednesday 29 May, at 7pm in the Orchestral Recital Room, Year 11 Elective Music students will be performing on their specialist instruments. We hope you are able to join us for an evening of high-quality music.
Battle of the Bands Heats
On Friday 7 June, at 3pm in the Band Room, Mr Payne will be auditioning Rock Bands for Battle of the Bands finals, which will be held on Tuesday 25 June at lunchtime. Please see Mr Payne or Mr Dorich for further details.
Instrumental and Choral Concert
Students have been rising early in the morning to rehearse repertoire for the upcoming Instrumental and Choral Concert that showcases Symphony Orchestra, Choirs, Chamber Ensembles and Guitar Ensemble. The concert will be held on Thursday 13 June in the Smith Auditorium at 7pm and will be approximately 2 hours in length, including a short interval. The car park will be open from 6.15pm. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.
Band Concert
The Band Concert, which showcases Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Stage Band, Jazz Ensemble and Trumpet Ensemble will be held on Thursday 20 June, in the Smith Auditorium at 7pm. The car park will be open from 6.15pm. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.
Composition Competition
Captain of Music Alan Li and Vice Captain of Music Charlie Corbett-Jones have reinstated the song writing competition. Compositions are due by the last day of Term. Please see their article below for further details.
James O’Donnell LVO KSG
On Monday 29 July, Mr Robert Fox has organised an event featuring the distinguished English musician James O’Donnell LVO KCSG, who, from 2000 – 2022, was the Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, during which time he directed the music for many state occasions, including the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The event will be held in the Chapel commencing at 7.30pm.
Music Photos
To purchase Music Ensemble photos, please click on the link: https://www.melbastudios.com.au/ and click on “SCHOOLS”. The password is bluewhite
Mrs K Barber
Head of Music
Term 2 Music Calendar
| Date | Event | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 29 May | Year 11 Elective Performance Concert | Orchestra Room | 7.00pm |
| Fri 7 Jun | Battle of the Bands – Heats | Band Room | 3.00pm |
| Wed 12 Jun | Instrumental/Choral Dress Rehearsal | Smith Auditorium | All Day |
| Thurs 13 Jun | Instrumental/Choral Concert | Smith Auditorium | 7.00pm |
| Fri 14 Jun | Band Concert Dress Rehearsal | Smith Auditorium | All Day |
| Thurs 20 Jun | Band Concert | Smith Auditorium | 7.00pm |
| Tues 25 Jun | Battle of the Bands – Finals | War Memorial Hall | 12.30pm |
Private Music Lessons
Please note that the cancellation period to cease private Music lessons at the end of this Term is four weeks before the end of the Term. The final date for cancellation of private Music lessons this Term will be next Wednesday 29 May. Please email privatemusiclessons@shore.nsw.edu.au if you would like your son to cease private Music lessons, and please give a reason for the cessation.
Mrs Judy Hicks
Co-ordinator of Private Music Lessons