Director of Music
As another calendar year draws to its gentle close – the whole world takes time to lull in its rhythms a little, and reflect and offer gratitude wherever due. I believe this practice to be one of the most important and grounding aspects of what it means to be human. And even better is when we can use music as the vehicle by which we reflect and offer thanksgiving; as we still our hearts and minds, and fix our gaze on all that is good and right.
I would like to thank our College Principal Paulina Skerman for her unwavering support and firm belief in the importance of Music education for children. I also offer my profuse thanks to my colleagues; the dedicated Music Educators who have worked tirelessly and collaboratively to build the vision this year. We are immeasurably thankful to Suzanna Touma and our administrative supporters, as well as the IT and Property teams who have been so generous of spirit in their efforts behind the scenes at every musical occasion.
Our three Thanksgiving Masses were fitting and memorable occasions to pause and reflect gratefully. Our exceptional Del Monte String players were capably guided by Mrs Pensini and the full-voiced P-4 singing was nurtured by Mrs Knight. Joy and thanksgiving were indeed the order of the day! Gioia House marked their journey with sung benedictions for each other, and our Chamber Choir led their senior school peers in Mass with great poise and commitment.
Our beloved annual Advent Carols on Monday evening was bigger than ever, featuring over 200 performers across P-11, our Community Choir and not to mention a rousing effort from the gallery! (Thank you congregation!)
Our closing item at Advent – All is Well’ – was chosen to reflect our collective prayer for you and your family, as you head into the summer and festive season.
May your souls be nourished and resources replenished ahead of a beautiful year to come.
Amy RIchardson
Director of Music P-12
Director’s Honour Roll
We congratulate students for their efforts in private tuition and instrumental learning this year, and commend those who chose to mark their progress through successful participation in external examinations and eisteddfod with results of credit or above.
| Student Name | School | Achievement | Result |
| Romee Lee | Year 4 | AMEB Grade 5 Trombone Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Arianthe Vrastaminos | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 1 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Esther Chiew | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 1 Violin Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Esther Chiew | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 2 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Olivia Wang | Year 6 | AMEB Grade 1 Viola Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Lavina Yam | Year 8 | AMEB Grade 5 Cello Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Chelsey Fa | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 2 Musicianship Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Estelle Gilmovich | Year 7 | AMEB A-Mus-A Viola Examination | Pass with Award |
| Estelle Gilmovich | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 1 Double Bass Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Estelle Gilmovich | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 5 Musicianship Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Audrey Khoury | Year 6 | AMEB Preliminary Grade Violin Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Grace Mackey | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 2 Cello Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Naishe Mafunda | Year 7 | AMEB Preliminary Grade Violin Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Bianca Marchetta | Year 7 | AMEB Preliminary Grade Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Cary Yeung | Year 11 | AMEB Grade 2 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Dalena Nguyen | Year 5 | AMEB Preliminary Grade Violin Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Dalena Nguyen | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 1 Violin Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Dalena Nguyen | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 2 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Daphne Nguyen | Year 4 | AMEB Preliminary Grade Violin Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Daphne Nguyen | Year 4 | AMEB Grade 1 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Dominique Portelli | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 1 Viola Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Jessica Princi | Year 4 | AMEB Grade 1 Double Bass Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Mulan Deng | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 5 Violin Examination | Pass |
| Tatijana Sesar | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 2 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Natalie Sun | Year 3 | AMEB Grade 5 Violin Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Natalie Sun | Year 3 | AMEB Grade 1 Musicianship Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Agnes Tam | Year 6 | AMEB Grade 3 Violin Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Louise Thill | Year 7 | AMEB Grade 2 Double Bass Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Abigail Yang | Year 8 | AMEB A-Mus-A Viola Examination | Pass with Award |
| Ilia Kim | Year 8 | AMEB C-Mus-A Viola Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Isabella Yang | Year 12 | AMEB L-Mus-A Cello Examination | Pass with Award |
| Mia Li | Year 4 | St George Eisteddfod Violin | Highly Commended & 2nd prize |
| Cynthia Li | Year 7 | St George Eisteddfod | High Commended |
| Abigail Yang | Year 8 | St George Eisteddfod | 1st Prize |
We commend our students for their commitment and dedication in furthering their music expertise and skills through their involvement in a number of external Masterclasses, Workshops and for some, successful auditions for National Music Programs. These are as follows:
- Gondwana National Choral School 2025 – Charlotte Stanhope and Estelle Gilmovich
- Australian Youth Orchestra Program 2025 – Estelle Gilmovich
- Penrith Youth Orchestra Workshop and Masterclass – Aiden Curran and Estelle Gilmovich
- Sydney Symphony Young Musicians Workshop – Aiden Curran, Estelle Gilmovich and Mia Li
- ACO Young Artists Masterclass and Workshop – Estelle Gilmovich
- The Metropolitan Orchestra Junior Music Camp – Chloe Cruz, Aiden Curran, Estelle Gilmovich, Vijayan Jayaseelan, Grace Mackey, Lillian Mackey, Natalie Sun and Mackenzie Wong
- AUSTA NSW Double Bass Day 2024 – Aiden Curran, Estelle Gilmovich and Louise Thill
Fra Angelico
Our community came to vibrant and colourful life for our Fra Angelico festival on Friday 22 November! Nearly 600 students from Mary Bailey House to Year 6 showed their families and friends what they had been learning in their curriculum music classes – with songs and instrumental performances that delighted the thronging crowds. Zheng Ensemble, Taiko Ensembles, Year 9 Rock Band, Concert Band, Stage Band, Wind Ensemble as well as our Chamber and Community Choirs added their rousing contributions to the night, and some festive tunes at dusk helped launch the Christmas season for all! Thank you to Del Monte and Gioia House curriculum staff who supported the performers backstage.
Speech Night
The annual Speech Night was a further chance to showcase the musical happenings of the year. We were treated to performances by our Year 4 String Ensemble, Zheng Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Chamber String Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra with contemporary and traditional works offered, including a rousing Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Congratulations to these performers for showcasing your year’s efforts with excellence and to all prize winners.
Thank You Soiree
Congratulations and thanks to the student-led ensemble – featuring Jina Lee (Violin), Ilia Kim (Viola) and Caitlin Lang (Cello) who were selected to represent the Music Department and who capably prepared and performed a 30 minute set of background music for our guests at the Thank You soiree on Monday 2 December!
Advent Carols
Joy to the World! Joy indeed. Monday evening’s cherished Advent Carols and Readings involved over 200 musicians from Years 1-12. Our Community Choir of Dominican Sisters, ex-students, staff, family and friends were radiant alongside our Laudare and Siena Singers; College and Chamber Choirs who led an equally enthusiastic audience in traditional and contemporary carols. Instrumentation featured a variety of organ, piano, symphony orchestra settings, alongside selected a cappella moments. Heartfelt thanks to those who joined us for this special time together!
Thanksgiving Masses
Our three Thanksgiving Masses were fitting and memorable occasions to pause and reflect gratefully. Joy and thanksgiving were indeed the order of the day in the Del Monte Mass as ‘singers and stringers’ raised the roof with their joyful music! Year 5 and 6 presented songs of blessing for each other in the Gioia House Liturgy, and our Chamber Choir shone as they led their senior school peers in song. Beyond their illustrious talents, it is our students’ resplendent commitment to serve their community with their musical talents that is the most inspiring. Thank you to all who served in this way.
Register for Music Opportunities at Santa Sabina
A reminder that all current enrolments will roll over automatically in preparation for the new year’s commencement. For levied ensembles and activities, invoices will be generated and emailed to you directly in the coming weeks to be settled prior to Week 1 of next term. If planning to discontinue, four weeks advance notice is required or an equivalent administration fee is applicable. If you know that you will be discontinuing a 2024 enrolment in 2025, please complete the form linked below at your earliest convenience.
The start of the new school year is the perfect chance to consider what additional skills and experiences might still be waiting for you as part of your holistic schooling journey! You can now register via the College App or by using the link below for our many co-curricular ensembles and/or private lessons in any of the following instruments:
Piano, Harpsichord, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Voice, Flute, Recorder, Zheng, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Guitar, Bass Guitar and individual or group tuition in Composition or Musicianship!
We are excited for all the wonderful opportunities that 2025 has in store for you.
The Music office will close from this Friday 6 December, but will be open again in late January.
We look forward to responding to any questions you may have at this time.
Have a safe and happy summer!
More Music…
Santa Sabina College has so many extraordinary music happenings across our great school each year! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the Curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12!