Music Notes

Nicole Bull, Academic Dean of Performing Arts

Annual Concert

Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s Annual Concert at Robert Blackwood Hall has been cancelled. We are very excited that all our concert groups will have the opportunity to record their items which can then be viewed by parents in the comfort of their home. We are working diligently to capture the magic of our live performance in a recorded version. Watch this space for more details.

Music staff

We would like to introduce to you Julia Hastings and Jake Amy who are currently piano tutors in our Music Deptartment. They teach students from ELC through to Senior School, and offer traditional, classical and jazz piano tuition. 

Julia Hastings (Piano teacher)

Julia Hastings is a Melbourne-based pianist who defies stereotypes by being equally at home on stage as an actor. 

Julia’s extensive piano studies, culminating with the Professional Performance Program at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), have equipped the synthesis of her multi-disciplinary talents in pushing the boundaries of classical music performance and enabling her goal of guiding audiences through a narrative, musical world where stories matter.

Her first work, Fame, Fortune & Lies: The Life and Music of Eileen Joyce, combining live music performance and drama has been performed to critical acclaim nationally.

As a musician of the 21st century, Julia combines her performance work with that of music educator as Head of Chamber Music at Trinity College, University of Melbourne as well as teaching piano at Balwyn High School and Kilvington Grammar School, and eisteddfod adjudicating. She is also a staff pianist at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne. 

Jake Amy (Piano teacher)

Initially from regional Victoria, Jake Amy is a Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist, working as a pianist, composer, producer, studio engineer, teacher, events manager and social justice journalist. 

Jake studied music at Monash University and New York University (BMus), and since graduating is an active member of over 20 bands. Jake regularly tours nationally with a variety of these ensembles, including his own, and recently released an EP titled ‘Reflections’. Jake’s full bio can be found here on his website. 

Student achievements

Matt O’Leary, Year 12, is studying VCE Music Investigation Units 3 and 4.

Matt was required to write a composition which used musical elements from his performance recital repertoire and then perform the work. 

He used text from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and word painting, lyrical phrasing and dynamics to emulate the different styles of his performance repertoire. Please click hereto listen to Matt’s recording of I’ll Give Thee A Wind. 

Student opportunity for string musicians

The MSO is proud to offer young Victorian string musicians the opportunity to take part in an intensive and inspiring event led by celebrated conductor Dane Lam. Taking place over two days and culminating in a performance at Iwaki Auditorium, students will experience life in the MSO, participating in rehearsals and tutorials with MSO musicians.

Event Details

• Dates: Saturday 11 September – Sunday 12 September
• Times: Saturday 9.30am – 3.00pm, Sunday 9.30am – 4.00pm
• Venue: Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank, 10-130 Southbank Boulevard
• Cost: $100

Requirements to apply

• Age: Up to 18 years
• Ability: AMEB Grade 6 and above or equivalent
• For further details: Please contact Cindy Yi, Music Captain and/or Ms Nicole Bull, Academic Dean of Performing Arts

Friday Afternoon Soirees

Due to the current COVID restrictions, the Friday Afternoon Soirees are postponed. We look forward to presenting them again as soon as we are able. 

Diary dates – Term 3 (dependent on COVID restrictions)