From the Music Department

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to William L who was awarded his Associate Diploma in Music on Violin. This is an outstanding achievement, and we are very proud of his wonderful accomplishments.

Band Camp 5-6 March

Last week members of Concert Band and Symphonic Winds were provided the privilege of having two days of intense music playing, with expert tuition from instrumental specialists, including Ms Sarah Bernard, Mr Ben Blunt, Ms Laura Duque-Cash, Mr Angus Key, Mr Jeremy Kindl, Mr Oscar Lewis, Ms Megan Lipworth and Mr Will Naayan. Our guest conductor, Mr James Pensini, enabled the bands to further develop their skills as an ensemble. Both days were made possible by the hard work put in by the tutors, Mr Pensini, the music department staff, and of course the boys. Special mention and our thanks to Old Boy mentor Mr Charlie Corbett-Jones, Ms Bai who assisted the ensembles, Dr Gilmour who conducted Concert Band, and Ms Robertson who conducted Symphonic Winds and organised the two-day event. The days were split into sectional tutorials and ensemble rehearsals, with a particularly engaging joint performance held on Wednesday. Ms Robertson had the great idea that the only thing possibly better than one ensemble was two ensembles combined! Wednesday afternoon was an enjoyable time of playing as one big band by sight-reading through Pelican Dance and Rampage. The camp was a wonderful learning experience and we are all very grateful to everyone involved in making it such a success.

Joe Stephens
Year 11 Symphonic Winds Electric Bass player

Concert Group – James Ehnes with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Last week, Shore music students were able to experience the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) perform Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto with celebrated violinist James Ehnes as soloist. Brahms’ monumental concerto is renowned for its demanding technical passages and emotional depth, showing Ehnes virtuosity. In addition to Brahms Violin Concerto, the SSO also performed Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose. Originally composed as a set of short piano pieces and later expanded into a ballet, Mother Goose is celebrated for its imaginative orchestration and storytelling with each movement inspired by fairy tales. 

For many in attendance, however, the highlight of the evening was James Ehnes’s appearance. From Canada, Ehnes is known for his exceptional technique and warm sound. He has performed with many of the world’s foremost orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, earning critical acclaim and multiple prestigious awards for both his performances and recordings. His commanding presence on stage and profound musicality have established him as one of the leading violinists of his generation.

Shore music students thoroughly enjoyed this performance and look forward to the upcoming performance of Candide. 

JJ Black
Year 12 Music student

Upcoming Dates

Tues 11 March	Week 7	Concert Group: OA Candide	Sydney Opera House	7.30pm
Thurs 27– Sat 29 March	Week 9	School Musical: Newsies	Smith Auditorium	7.30pm
Wed 2 – Sat 5 April	Week 10	School Musical: Newsies	Smith Auditorium	7.30pm
Wed 9 April	Week 11	Concert Group: OA Hadestown	Theatre Royal	7.30pm

Ms Kim Barber
Head of Music