Director of Music
This term so far we have commemorated the Anzacs; celebrated St Catherine’s Feast; performed in assemblies and College functions; serenaded in recitals; workshopped with Musica Viva; and prepared appropriate music for both Mother’s Day and Golden Girls and Boys masses – all while shaping up our program for the 130 Years Gala Concert at the Sydney Town Hall! Now less than three weeks away on the evening of Tuesday 25 June 2024, we encourage you to secure your tickets using the link below as they are selling fast!
The remaining days and weeks of term are now focused solely towards our collective vision. Thank you to parents and supporters who are assisting their younger children with their personal revision, making use of the resources that have been made available on Veritas Online. We are thankful too for the maturity and integrity of our ensemble students who are honouring their musical commitment with preparation, practice, punctual arrival and engagement in all rehearsals!
See you at the Town Hall!
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12
Get your Gala tickets!
TIckets are already selling fast and this year’s 130th Anniversary Gala promises to be a highlight of the College year, showcasing our magnificent student body, and fostering memories that our students will cherish for years to come. The theme – A Celebration of Humanity | Growing in Love – is not just a celebration of our College’s history, but through music, it is a statement of our vision for our future as a College.
Doors open at 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start, with all ticketing being General Admission.
To purchase tickets, please go to Trybooking:
Important information and permission forms
Important information about the event itself has now been communicated via email to all performers and their families, and Parent Lounge is open for the granting of permission ahead of the event.
We have linked the key communication pieces below once more for your ease of reference:
- Del Monte Students (Laudare and Siena Singers; Year 4)
- Gioia House Students (All Years 5 and 6)
- Senior Curriculum Students (All Year 7)
- Senior Ensemble Students (Years 8-12)
As one might imagine, chasing the individual logistics for 600+ performers is quite the feat – and we are very thankful to those who support us by attending to these matters promptly.
Masses Choral items – rehearsal tracks
For all the students participating in massed Choral features at the Gala Concert, a reminder that VO boasts exhaustive resources to support personal revision.
Events like Gala represent a collective achievement, and we commend our students for their diligent personal preparation to ensure a world class outcome is achieved once more.
Important additional rehearsals
In addition to all regular ensemble rehearsals for which FULL attendance is required between now and the Gala Concert, the following additional rehearsals have been scheduled and we request that they are diarised promptly to ensure punctual arrival.
| Wk | Day | Date | Times | Call for | Venue |
| 6 | Tuesday | 04/06/2024 | 7:45am – 8:25am | Chamber Strings joins College Choir | Chapel |
| 7 | Monday | 10/06/2024 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Community Choir | Chapel |
| 7 | Tuesday | 11/06/2024 | 7:45am – 8:25am | Chamber Strings Harpsichordist joins College Choir | SSC Hall |
| 7 | Tuesday | 11/06/2024 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Years 5-7 Choir Rehearsal | College Choir in Community Time | SSC Hall |
| 7 | Wednesday | 12/06/2024 | 11:55am – 12:55pm | Year 5 & 6 Gioia House Strings | Combined Rehearsal | SSC Hall |
| 7 | Thursday | 13/06/2024 | 2:25pm – 3:10pm | DM Strings, Year 4, Siena Singers, Laudare SIngers | DM Hall |
| 7 | Friday | 14/06/2024 | 7:00am – 8:40am | Symphony Orchestra & College Choir | SSC Hall |
| 8 | Tuesday | 18/06/2024 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Years 4-7 Choir Rehearsal, Laudare, Siena & College Choir | SSC Hall |
| 8 | Friday | 21/06/2024 | 12:30pm – 1:00pm | Stage Band Lunchtime Rehearsal | LER |
| 8 | Friday | 21/06/2024 | 1:30pm – 2:45pm | PY Camerata Strings | PY String Orchestra | SSC Hall |
| 8 | Friday | 21/06/2024 | 3:30pm – 4:00pm | All Gala Performers in Years 8-12 | SSC Hall |
| 8 | Friday | 21/06/2024 | 3:30pm – 6:00pm | Symphony Orchestra & College Choir | SSC Hall |
| 8 | Friday | 21/06/2024 | 3:30pm – 6:30pm | Reduced Orchestra & Chamber Choir | SSC Hall |
| 9 | Monday | 24/06/2024 | See Schedule | All Ensembles | SSC Hall |
| 9 | Tuesday | 25/06/2024 | See Schedule | All Ensembles | Town Hall |
| 9 | Tuesday | 25/06/2024 | 6:00pm – 8:30pm | GALA CONCERT | Town Hall |
24-5 June – final run throughs and concert day
24-5 JUNE – FINAL RUN THROUGHS AND CONCERT DAY
In addition to the rehearsals listed above and all regular ensemble commitments, all Gala performers need to be aware of their call times and requirements across Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 June.
To be read in conjunction with the permission letters linked above with transport directions, please ensure you are across the rehearsal schedules for both days:
Monday 24 June 2024 – Rehearsal Schedule (Santa Sabina Hall)
Tuesday 25 June 2024 – Technical Run-through Schedule (Sydney Town Hall)
Santa Sings! Community Choir
Though winter is upon us and the desire to stay in for an evening is increasing in its allure, those who have rugged up; grabbed their travel cups and hot drinks have found their hearts warmed in Holyrood as they’ve sung full-voiced with fellow community members! Some alumni are travelling hours each way to attend, and the joy is palpable. Santa is well known as ‘The School that Sings’ and this group has been established with the purpose of drawing ex-students, existing community members, parents and friends, and our Dominican Sisters together through music. See the photos from our first gathering here.
Previous experience is not necessary, and an exciting performance cameo is right around the corner…
Register via this link to be kept up to date with this choir’s happenings, and join us for our next rehearsal in Holyrood on the public holiday, 10 June between 7:00pm and 8:00pm.
Holyrood access
The College has been working to increase security across the College, and as such, Holyrood is now to remain locked at all times – accessible only by student ID Cards during school hours. Students are reminded to carry their Student ID Cards on them at all times to ensure they present for lessons and classes in a timely manner.
Mother’s Day Mass
Thank you to our Del Monte musicians, and our Chamber Strings and Chamber Choir who served the community in the Mother’s Day Mass on Thursday 9 May 2024, helping to ensure this annual tradition was a memorable and heartwarming occasion for all in attendance.
Career Women’s Networking Day
It was lovely to see one of our advanced Chamber String ensembles embodying the Dominican Pillars of Service and Community as they arrived at school bright and early on Friday 17 May to help set the atmosphere as guests arrived for the anticipated Career Women’s Network breakfast. A highly successful networking event ensued, and we thank our musicians for setting the tone for a brilliant morning!
Golden Girls and Boys Mass
The Golden Girls and Boys Mass Friday 31 May was a beautiful reunion with our Chamber Choir leading the congregation in reflection and worship. In addition to standard mass offerings, the choir enjoyed singing a selection of beloved hymns that have echoed in the Chapel in past decades – with the old School Song and the beloved St Dominic’s Hymn evoking fond memories. Nostalgic alumni joined us in full voice.
The gathering gave testimony to the strength of the enduring bonds within the Santa community. As voices joined – students past and present – the essence of a Santa Sabina College education was encapsulated. This is truly a place where tradition meets the future, and where every student graduates as part of a larger, connected family.
Santa Sabina Recital Series
The afternoon of Friday 24 May saw the final offering in our Semester 1 recital series, with a growing program and a list of 35 solo performers necessitating the move from Holyrood to the College Hall for the second time this term. We have been delighted to see the numerical growth in our private tuition stream this year – with nearly 100 more students taking private lessons, up from this time last year. Pleasing too is the high standard of performance consistent in these recitals, a testimony to our extraordinary team of music tutors for their work with our students each week. We look forward to announcing the dates of the Semester 2 recital series, and affording this experience for our young musicians.
PHOTOS FROM GIOVANNI PORTELLI
Musica Viva Competition
Our Chamber ensembles on the Senior Campus are busily filming their submissions for the biennial ‘Strike A Chord’ Competition. Entering the national competition affords all candidates a complimentary Coaching Program by internationally respected music education body Musica Viva – offering intensive training that will support performance outcomes for curriculum musicians and our ensembles alike, while also having benefits for the school as we foster significant strategic partnerships.
Update: Music Tours 2025
Expressions of interest are still open for our Italian Music Tour to be held in 2025. Our experienced Music travel professionals Hayllar Music Tours have prepared a magnificent proposal for tours, and applications with deposits are now due on the revised date of 27 June . Please reach out to music@ssc.nsw.edu.au if you would like any further information.
REGISTER FOR MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES AT SANTA SABINA
Register via the College App or using the link below for lessons in any of the following instruments – Piano, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Voice, Flute, Guzheng, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Composition and Musicianship individual or group lessons. In addition to private tuition, one of the best ways to apply new instrumental skills is in a Group Ensemble context.
Find out more
If you would like to know more about one of our music offerings across the school (be it choirs, bands, orchestras or private tuition) please reach out via music@ssc.nsw.edu.au or to Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office at s.touma@ssc.nsw.edu.au and we will be happy to assist you.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12