Performing Arts

Tullow Sessions

“It’s the music that brings us together” - Joan Oates

Music has the ability to raise our mood and get us pumped for the day. At the same time, it can calm and relax us when we need it to. We choose music for the greatest moments in our lives, and we choose music to accompany the hardest ones.

We also have incredibly talented students and staff at Killester College. This is why it is very exciting to launch ‘The Tullow Sessions’ in 2021. This has been something that the Performing Arts Department has spent a long time working on and involves the assistance of the student Arts Committee.

The Tullow Sessions involve:

Live performances from staff and students
Music - requested by students and made into a Spotify Playlist for students to follow
Competitions with prizes
Themes & Countdowns (where students vote ahead of time for a winning song)

This will all take place outside the Tullow Centre at Lunchtime on specific days throughout the year.

Last Friday we were gifted with three fantastic student performances for our very first event.

These students were:

Lily Bowyer-Smyth (Year 8) - Violin
Susanthica Jayachandran (Year 10) - Voice
Jessica Soy (Year 7) - Guitar & Voice

If you would like to see videos of the performances, please have a look at the Killester College Facebook and Instagram pages. A special mention goes to Jessica Soy (Year 7) who not only performed in front of a large crowd for the first time, but she also performed an original song that she wrote.

When asked about her experience performing, Jess said:

“I would like to thank Miss Cronin and all the other Drama and Music teachers for giving me this opportunity. It really helped me to know that people believed in me. I have to admit I was a bit nervous but when you get up on that stage, a rush goes through you and you suddenly feel alive. Yes, I know some people have stage fright but giving it a try would show you how fun and amazing it is. I really encourage people to at least give it a try because it will be the best thing you have ever done in your life. I hope this helps and encourages people to give it a shot.”

The upcoming Tullow Sessions for Term 1 are:

Friday 5th March
Tuesday 9th March - International Women’s Day themed
Friday 19th March - Harmony Day themed

A very special thank you to the entire Performing Arts Department and Arts Committee who have already put so much effort into making this a fantastic experience.

If any students would like to be involved in one of our upcoming events, please contact Miss Cronin. And we hope to see the rest of you there in the audience for the next Tullow Sessions.

Miss Jenna Cronin

Performing Arts Learning Area Leader

Ensembles/Groups in 2021

It is lovely to be listening to live music again in our beautiful Tullow building. The girls have made an excellent start in a somewhat different looking ensemble set-up this year. Mr. Vague has taken over the Stage Band and the group is already branching out into many different styles of music. Vocalists have been added to the Stage Band and we look forward to hearing the collaboration of vocals, Stage Band and strings. Motown, Soul, Salsa here we come.

Mr. Hickey has taken over the Concert Band and they made a lively start with the opening school mass on Tuesday. The sounds of the Cuban tune Mambo No.5 have been drifting across the school grounds as well.

Ms. Addis is back with us this year (much rejoicing from all concerned, especially me) and she has taken over Honk. They have made a steady start and we look forward to hearing them at a Tullow session soon. Honk numbers always grow as players come in from the instrumental classroom program.

Heartstrings will be starting in the next two weeks so any string player interested in playing please see Mr. Hickey as soon as possible.

Swing Sisters choir has begun with Miss Garofalo up in the Year 7 building on a Friday lunchtime. The new Year 7s are especially welcome to join this well established group as they will become our singers over the next six years.

We have a new group - yet to be officially named - but the working title is the Indian Ensemble. Sixteen girls who are interested in Indian dance, song and instrument playing have been meeting on a Wednesday lunchtime to start creating a group voice. Language differences are a bit of an issue but already the girls are working towards inclusive performances that really demonstrate the breadth of Indian culture. I have learnt more in two weeks than I have ever known and I am really looking forward to what the girls produce over the coming months. Yet another example of the beautiful diversity here at Killester.

For our Year 7 Parents

My apologies for the bad connection over the internet for the Year 7 Information Night. I was really just going to say welcome and to inform you of the three music groups your daughters can join immediately if they are learning an instrument or like to sing. The groups are:

Honk - band for wind and percussion players-new players are very welcome .

Honk rehearses on a Thursday afternoon 3.15- 4.00pm

Swing Sisters - choir for Years 7-9 mainly singing contemporary songs.

Swing Sisters rehearse on a Friday lunchtime in the Year 7 area of the Helen Toohey building.

Heartstrings - string group for students learning either at school or outside.

Will be rehearsing on a Thursday lunchtime in the Tullow Centre.

If anyone is interested in private instrumental lessons starting Term 2, there are lesson forms outside my office in Tullow or at the Front Office.

Important Dates:

Wednesday March 10 - Mal Webb and Kylie Morrigan performing live for our Year 9s.
Friday March 5: the second Tullow Session - Stage Band + singers
Wednesday 24th March - Killester Twilight Open Evening. Stay tuned for which ensembles will be involved in this.
May 14-16 Proposed Music camp up at Arrabri Lodge Warbuton

Mr Bernie Hickey

Music Learning Area Leader