Director of Music
As we embark on the Easter Holy week together as a community, right across our school we can feel the delightful shift in both the natural and musical seasons. This time of year with its more settled climate, earlier sunsets and settling daily rhythms provides a chance for us all to reflect with gratitude – for life, for music and for the God who has given us both things richly for our enjoyment! At this time of year, new life is often the theme – and new songs too are springing up around the Music Department in the form of both student compositions and in the commissions that are in place for our 130th Gala Concert.
It is a wonderful time to be alive and making music at Santa Sabina College.
Wishing you and your dear ones a beautiful week to come.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12
Music Staff Update
As Ms Froukje Werlemann-Godfrey embarks on maternity leave, we extend a warm welcome to Niamh Armstrong, who will be stepping in to lead her classes and support our programs. With a wealth of knowledge spanning various age groups with an expertise in strings, Ms Armstrong is poised to guide our students with excellence. We also extend our best wishes and gratitude to Ms Veronica Tsang and Mr Jameson Choe as they step into the shared leadership role as Head of Curriculum. We wish Ms Werlemann all the best as she commences this exciting new adventure!
We also welcome Ms Brielle Amato who is now supporting our Music Administration at Del Monte campus.
Director’s Honour Roll
| Esther Chiew | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 2 Pianoforte Examination | Pass with Credit |
| Dohhyun Park | Year 4 | AMEB Grade 2 Pianoforte Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Grace Welsh | Year 5 | AMEB Preliminary Piano for Leisure Examination | Pass with Honours |
| Aiden Curren | Year 5 | AMEB Grade 2 Musicianship Examination | Pass with High Distinction |
| Celene Choi | Year 9 | AMEB A.Mus A Violin Examination | Diploma |
| Isabella Yang | Year 12 | AMEB A.Mus A Cello Examination | Diploma with Distinction |
Del Monte Music Assembly
Every term around Week 7 we enjoy our Music-led assembly at Del Monte. On Thursday 14 March, the Year 4 Curriculum String Ensemble performed a beautiful arrangement of Skye Boat Song prepared and conducted by Mrs Cecilia Pensini and her team of expert string tutors, with a cameo from Year 12 student Isabella Yang. As always, it is a joy to sing our school song accompanied by our budding string players.
Santa Sabina Recital Series
Thank you to those who joined us for the Open Recital on Friday 15 March in the Santa Sabina College Hall, as 27 students from our Private Tuition program presented their latest work for families and friends. These recitals take place each term, and we are thrilled to offer these positive performance experiences for students who are developing confidence in their craft and aspects of presentation. Thank you to our specialist tutors who prepared them so diligently for this opportunity. We look forward to the next open recital on Friday 24 May, and additionally welcome members of our community to join us on Monday 8 April 2024 as Year 10, 11 and 12 students present their current repertoire for assessment.
Gala Dinner Entertainment
On Friday Night, one of our advanced Chamber ensembles gave their time to help create the requisite celebratory atmosphere for guests arriving at the 130th Gala Dinner! Thank you to Eloise Dahm, Estelle Gilmovich, Sophia Wong, Serena Li and Aiden Curren for their fun repertoire selection, curated by our Head of Strings 5-12 Ms Victoria Jacono.
MUSIC TOURS 2025 – Information Night – 2 April
On Tuesday 2 April 2024, we will have an information night for our proposed Music Tours in 2025! In the Lecture Theatre at 5:00pm (Japan Taiko & Language Tour) and 6:00pm (Italy Music Tour) – our experienced Music travel professionals Hayllar Music Tours will be present to walk us through the exciting proposed itineraries for both tours, and offer important information for interested parents and students who will be in Years 9-12 in 2025. We are delighted to offer two tours in 2025 – a tour to Japan in the April school holidays for our Taiko and Japanese language students, and a larger scale tour to Italy in the September holidays that will be open to any Santa Sabina ensemble musician in the College-approved age group.
NEW GUZHENG ENSEMBLE!
We are proudly welcoming the internationally respected artist and Sydney Conservatorium of Music Zheng expert, Ousiyu (Julia) Luo to our Santa Sabina College Music Team, as we add Guzheng lessons to our vast list of weekly offerings! Our proposed Guzheng Ensemble has already had a pleasing response, and we are still taking enrollments to be launched this coming Tuesday 2 April 2024 in the Adams room in Holyrood!
To register for the ensemble and/or for Private Lessons with Ousiyu (Julia), please follow the standard registration process.
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. Santa Sabina ensembles have shown strong growth in numbers and committed attendance this year – with preparation for our 130th Year events kicking off across all streams! Jump on board with our ensemble program of choirs, bands and orchestras in 2024 by registering with the link below.
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.