CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

Advent Liturgy

Saints final service for 2022 occurred  in today's last period. Cantors and Mass musicians presented the music for our Advent liturgy.  They are an integral part of our liturgical life at the College and with them, our Masses are all the better.  I take this opportunity to thank each  student who contributed music to our Masses this year.

Spirit of Arts Awards

Our final awardee for the year was Paul Hitchings.  Paul, in Year 7, received the Bronze Award during yesterday's assembly. He participates in the College Percussion Ensemble, the College Choir and has been a cantor for Mass. Paul has shown enthusiasm for the music program by performing at events such as Cerise and Blue, SMC Live and the Awards Night. He has completed Trinity College exams for piano and music theory and actively cooperates with teachers and peers in the performing arts. Congratulations!

All students who participate in Music, Drama, Visual Art and Film Television and New Media are eligible to apply for an award.  Handbooks and journals are available from the arts staffroom at any time, and we encourage everyone to participate in the program.

For any questions about the awards not outlined in the journal, please contact me at cspannenbu@cns.catholic.edu.au.

2023

There are some exciting events coming next year. The Music Department will be putting on a major work in conjunction with our sister school St Monica’s.  For something completely different, St Andrew’s and St Mary’s colleges will be joining us for Carmina Burana at CPAC.  Watch this space for more information next year.

Ensemble students may also have the opportunity to go on tour. Again, more will be revealed early next year.

Ensembles & Instruments

Has your son collected his instrument from the storeroom?  If not, the College is open for the first three days of next week. Instruments should be serviced over the holidays, and I hope that students continue to practise.

Thank you to all the members of our ensembles. Your contribution is valued and we’ve made some fine music this year. We’re looking forward to more exciting adventures next year.

Some Thank Yous

To our visiting instrumental music instructors and practioners – thank you.  Your contributions to the music/drama learning of our students is invaluable.  We very much appreciate the work you do with our young men each week.

To our students – thank you.  Your contributions to so many of the events, ensembles, classrooms is so wonderful to see. It’s a privilege to watch you grow musically/dramatically and as humans.

To our parents – thank you most of all.  The decision you make to give your sons the opportunity to participate in lessons, events and activities such as workshops is invaluable.  You are ensuring your sons are well-rounded individuals who build resilience, who understand the rewards of hard work, who are team players and who are well rounded humans.

Communication

Much of our communication with students is via Teams, email and copied into parent slips. Please encourage your son to check these regularly so he stays abreast of what is happening, particularly given we’ve had some last minutes changes lately due to injury and illness.  Your son is also expected to contact  the director of any of his ensembles and instrumental teacher if he's going to be absent due to illness or injury, as the student office does not communicate with these people.

There are many avenues for parent communication – parent slips, the Arts Department Facebook page, college newsletter and email.  Please check these regularly so you can stay abreast of what is happening across the College in the arts.

Any opportunities for our arts students outside the College are published on the Arts Facebook Page. Upcoming performances and events are also published there. Be sure to like the page to keep up with what’s happening around the College.