MUSIC

Carmina Burana

Week 2 was Carmina Production week. Saints, St Monica’s, St Andrew’s and Holy Cross rehearsed together in Lennon Hall on Wednesday as our final rehearsal together. Once done, the percussion gear was packed up, loaded into the truck and taken to CPAC. Yesterday students rehearsed, and there was a sound check for the major work in the morning with the variety acts doing the same in the afternoon. 

Our major work project was performed at CPAC last night. The Saints Big Band opened the evening with Zoot Suit Riot, a ripping and entertaining opening to the show. At the interval, the audience entered a transformed foyer with projections and decorations all about, to set the mood for the second half when the major work – Carmina Burana – was performed. The quality of performance for this incredibly challenging work was impeccably high. The soloists, choir and orchestra are to be congratulated for producing such a quality show.

Saints would like to thank the staff and students of St Andrew’s Catholic College and Holy Cross as well as our sister school, St Monica’s, for working with us and making this the amazing quality work that it was. It’s been an incredible opportunity and experience for our students – to work with other schools, perform in a professional space and experience a work as challenging as this. Congratulations to all involved.

Friends of the Arts

In conjunction with the Arts Department, we are forming a support committee for music and the arts. With so many things happening in these areas, we need a little help. Help with ticket takings, canteen, uniforms, fundraising etc. would go a long way to taking some of the load from our teachers when setting up and running concerts. We are holding our inaugural meeting on Wednesday 3 May in McLaughlin Theatre at 5pm. Please join us for this new exciting venture.

ANZAC Day & ANZAC Assembly

Last week our annual ANZAC Assembly was held in Lennon Hall. This year, for the first time, the band and cantors led us through the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems. The Last Post and Rouse were brilliantly performed by Year 12 student Mathew Christensen. The following day, Mathew ventured over to St Joseph’s to perform for their ANZAC Assembly. 

On ANZAC Day selected members of the College choir performed with the St Monica’s choir at the dawn service. It was wet as usual, however, the combined choirs sang beautifully. 

Community Performance

The Year 12 Music class performed for the residents of Farnorha Nursing Home on Thursday 23 March. They travelled by college bus during their usual class time and performed in the recreation room. The residents had a wonderful time and asked the boys to come back. After they performed, the students circulated among the residents for a quick social chat. It was a lovely thing to be able to do and we’re looking forward to going back next term.

Brisbane Tour

Planning is well underway with lots of exciting activities along with performances at the Queensland Catholic Music Festival on the itinerary. The itinerary and final costings will come out in the next week. It should be a wonderful few days.

Saints Unplugged

Saints Unplugged Junior (Years 7-9) will be held on Wednesday 24 May in McLaughlin Theatre at 6pm. The Senior Unplugged (Years 10-12) will take place the following evening, Thursday May 25 at the same venue. We realise that the senior evening is on in the same week as work experience for Year 10s, hence the later start to enable them to participate. Our wonderful Hospitality students will provide light meals and beverages (wine and soft drink) from 5:30pm. A gold coin donation will secure your entry. If your son is interested in performing, please have him email me at cspannenbu@cns.catholic.edu.au 

Clashes with Instrumental Music Lesson and Assessment

This term, as with every term, there will be clashes with lessons and assessments. Assessment always takes precedence. To minimise disruption to visiting teachers (who are only here one day a week), students need to write their lessons into their diaries as soon as they receive their timetables. Yes, the whole term’s worth. They receive these timetables at the beginning of term. When the Assessment and Excursion calendar is released (usually around week 2 or 3), they should be writing their assessment/excursions into their diaries. At this point, they can foresee any clashes with assessment and thenit's time to be contacting their IM teachers to change their lesson times.

It is rarely possible to accommodate lesson time changes with 24 hours' notice or less. Remember that most of our teachers have full-day timetables and limited ability to change things around because it means changing around other students on that day as well.

Spirit of Arts Awards

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

For any questions regarding the Spirit of Arts Awards not outlined in the journal, please email me at cspannenbu@cns.catholic.edu.au

Opportunities

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

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