Director of Music P-12
This term is always such a joyous and industrious time for our Music-makers, and we see our Dominican value of ‘Community’ celebrated in gatherings like Mother’s Day Masses, Pro Summa Assemblies, Discovery Tours and Career Women’s Network Breakfasts while student recitals also enrich our regular weekly rhythms.
Meanwhile, repertoire for our flagship events continue to simmer away with focus and rigour behind the scenes – ready to come to the fore as the term culminates in a joyful musical celebration at the Sydney Town Hall.
Instruments of Peace Gala Concert
Tuesday 23 June 2026 | 6:00pm
This beloved event in our College calendar is shaping up with such rich promise, as once again we bring together all College ensembles in a powerful program reflecting our shared hopes for the world through our music. After last year’s VOICES OF HOPE, you can expect a moving and thoughtfully curated evening in our INSTRUMENTS OF PEACE concert – as we explore the message of St Francis (on the 800th anniversary of his passing) while showcasing the dynamic breadth of our musicians. We have some exciting guest artists joining us, who are sure to help lift the roof with our resounding message for 2026. Please keep an eye out for direct communication to performers from the Music Department in the coming weeks.
Spread the word and secure your seats early to ensure you can be part of this special event!
Australian Composers Day 2026 – A Landmark Celebration
Last week’s Australian Composers Day was a vibrant summit that made a powerful statement about the future of our nation’s musical and cultural identity. Santa Sabina was proud to host our largest event to date, welcoming more than 330 delegates for a day dedicated to creativity, collaboration and the art of composition.
Students from across NSW engaged deeply with this year’s theme, #WhatWillYouSay, exploring how young composers can pursue technical excellence while grounding their work in authentic human expression.
We were honoured to welcome Dr Maria Grenfell, who travelled from Tasmania, alongside the incomparable Alice Chance (whose work will feature in our Gala Concert on 23 June). The day also featured a compelling live hip-hop performance by Luka Lesson, celebrating his recent collaboration with Dr James Humberstone, AGAPI, which dropped to streaming platforms as part of the event!
The afternoon was rich with creative energy, as 11 workshops were led by an outstanding team of mentors: Aija Draguns, Lucy Blomfield, Christine Pan, Oliver John Cameron, Andrew Howes, our own Jason de Wilde, Charlotte Leamon and Veronica Tsang. A special thank you to all presenters, partners and supporters who made the day so impactful.
This Weekend! Chamber Choir at Songfest!
Saturday 16 May 2026 | 7:00pm
We are delighted that our Chamber Choir will perform in the inaugural Songfest Choral Festival, hosted by Gondwana at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. This prestigious event brings together exceptional young singers from across the state, and we are proud to be represented at this level.
Performers have received notices from the Music Office. For members of our community wishing to attend, details are below:
All are warmly invited to attend and support our singers in this exciting new festival.
Open Recital Series
Next Recital: Friday 22 May | 3:45pm | Holyrood
Our private tuition students will take to the stage in the next Open Recital, offering a wonderful opportunity to witness their growth, dedication and artistry in an intimate and supportive setting. Families and friends are warmly invited to attend!
Such a joy to witness the continued flourishing of students through the music they are making.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. Please feel free to reach out to the Music Department if we can assist you with any music-related matter.
A composition prize for Amelia Lin!
Congratulations to Amelia Lin of Year 6 who won her composition age group section of the Armidale Eisteddfod with her violin piece!
Young instrumentalists
On Sunday 3 May, Santa students performed in Met Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Festival. We commend these students for their dedication in seeking opportunities to develop their performance craft, and would like to express our gratitude to organisations like the Met Orchestra for hosting these valuable experiences.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music (P-12)