Director of Music
One of our Dominican pillars is Community, and it has been such a joy these past few weeks to see all the ways that Music plays a central role in fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness at Santa Sabina. Whether in our Music Learning Walks on Monday where hundreds of parents and friends came to observe our Del Monte Curriculum Music offerings in action; Stage Band adding some swing to the Leadership Assembly; Voice students performing for the Sisters in the Regina Mundi Convent; or our Chamber Strings and Taiko Drummers serenading us as we gathered ahead of the Sports Awards last week. The community and school partnerships are richly fostered here, and our musicians find such joy when they can share music with those they love.
Thank you to those members of our community who attended our Chamber Ensemble Recital in the beautiful Santa Sabina Chapel on Tuesday Evening, where a range of beautiful works was offered, old and new within the small ensemble context.
Next Monday, the last of the term, we look forward to seeing our community for the Gioia House Strings & the Sinfonietta Ensemble Open Rehearsal to take place in the Santa Sabina Hall. Though an early start, a coffee van will be parked out the front from 7:15am to satisfy the caffeination needs of our parents and teachers!
Ex-student Caitlin Murphy and the London Philharmonic Orchestra
It is wonderful too, to celebrate all the ways Santa musicians are engaging with the community and world beyond the Santa Sabina gates. We greatly value our partnership with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and we celebrate the rich and unique opportunities afforded to our Santa Sabina students through this affiliation. Here is a video that features Caitlin Murphy (Class of 2020), working with Sir Simon Rattle and members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a recent project at the Sydney Opera House.
As we head into the holidays, I wish our whole community a safe and refreshing break.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12
Co-curricular and extracurricular music
New instruments on offer in our Music Tuition Program!
We are excited to introduce Kaela Phillips who has commenced with us as our resident Harp specialist. Kaela has been playing the harp for over 17 years and attended a performing arts high school pursuing music, before going on to complete a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a Master’s of Music Studies in Harp Performance at the end of 2021. She now teaches and plays harp full-time for events and with orchestras as well as solo performances. Kaela is passionate about her craft and would love to share it with you too!
We are also taking enquiries for Term 4 2023 or Term 1 2024 Private Tuition commencement across the full range of instruments offered in our program. We are thrilled that due to the high number of world class tutors currently on our Music staff, we are able to accommodate new starters for tuition in:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double Bass
- Voice
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- French Horn
- Harp
- Piano
- Orchestral Percussion
- Drumkit
- Guitar
- Bass Guitar
For more information about private tuition or any of our P-12 Music offerings, please contact Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office via music@ssc.nsw.edu.au, or reach out to a Music Teacher with any questions you have, and they will be happy to offer guidance.
Concert for the Sisters
The Sisters in the Regina Mundi Convent were treated to a musical showcase by some of our young voice students. A wonderful chance for students to gain performance experience, and with a delightfully appreciative audience. The students finished with a sung blessing for our Sisters, and were moved when the Sisters sang a Dominican blessing in return. The concert presented a wide range of repertoire from French Art Song to Music Theatre and plans are afoot for further performances for these important members of our community.
Father’s Day Mass
Both Father’s Day 2023 Masses held moving moments and thoughtful reflections, as we celebrated the crucial role Fathers play in our Santa community. The ‘Del Monte Band’ did a wonderful job supporting the liturgy for the P-4 Mass, and for the 7:30am Mass, our Chamber Singers led the communal music time with some wonderful reflective and participatory hymns.
Friday Recital
Congratulations to all the solo performers in last Friday’s Recital in the Adams Room in Holyrood. Featuring students from Del Monte all the way through to the seniormost years, the cool breeze in the air with the sun setting behind the leadlight in the Adams Room, Holyrood made for the most enjoyable afternoon soirée! We look forward to hosting more recitals next term as the year draws towards its summer end.
Music for our Sports Awards
The Sports Awards was a wonderful celebration of the dedication and grit our Santa girls show every week at school, and the Music Department enjoyed being part of this evening. Thank you to the musicians who gave their time to provide background music while the community gathered for canapés. The Chamber String ensemble’s Mozartian offerings were well received by all, and the Taiko Performance by the Cherry Blossom Trees was most exciting as a call to attention to commence the night’s proceedings.
Chamber Recital
On Tuesday evening, music lovers found quiet solitude in our Santa Sabina Chapel to enjoy beautiful works performed by Chamber Choir, Brass Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Junior & Senior String Trios, String Quartets and Piano Trios and the Primary Chamber Strings. From Kate Miller-Heidke to Felix Mendelssohn; Antonín Dvořák to Natalie Nicholas, a diverse program was thoughtfully offered by our Santa Sabina students.
Honour Roll
Congratulations to Aiden Curran (Year 4) who achieved a Pass with High Distinction (A+) in her recent AMEB examination for Fifth Grade Double Bass.
Musicianship Classes
Musicianship Mondays are continuing to run for the remainder of 2023, as part of a pilot program. While in this trial offering phase, enrolment remains FREE for 2023! Classes happen during lunch in Holyrood, and are a wonderful opportunity to assist students as they:
- develop theory and aural skills
- develop music reading skills
- build on what they are learning in lessons and ensembles
- help prepare for AMEB exams, laying foundations for further musical exploration.
Reach out to Ms Werlemann-Godfrey or music@ssc.nsw.edu.au for more information on joining this valuable enrichment class.
External Strings opportunity
A reminder about ‘The Metropolitan Orchestra Junior String Camp 2023’: a three-day music camp in the September school holidays for string players aged between 7-12, and playing at AMEB Grade 2 standard and above.
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 reach out to Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office directly s.touma@ssc.nsw.edu.au and we will be happy to assist you.
More Music
There are so many exciting music happenings across our great school each week! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! Private lessons, ensembles – there is something for every student at Santa.