From the Head of Music

New Music Administration

We welcome Ratna Sutanto  who has worked for the College office as the receptionist for many years and will continue to do so. However on a Tuesday and Friday, Ratna will specifically be working for the music administration team. We are so thrilled to have Ratna support the music students, families and teachers to meet the needs of our private instrumental music program. 

Please be reminded (if your child happens to be sick on the day of their music lesson) to continue to email the music department absences by 8.45am at music.admin@christway.vic.edu.au. An absence recorded on Compass does not immediately notify music staff so your extra effort to email us is needed for our program to run smoothly. Thank you!

New enrolments

We are now taking new enrolments for Semester 2. There are a few places left for most instruments, however, there is now a waiting list for Guitar and Vocals.

Please see attached the information booklet and enrolment form. Once completed, the enrolment form can be submitted to the College office or send a digital copy through to Ratna at music.admin@christway.vic.edu.au.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Update

Rehearsals are well underway for the upcoming musical Charlie and the chocolate Factory. Students have been working so hard on learning their parts and bringing to life the characters that are apart of this musical. In the week of 9 to 12 September, students will be spending most of their week in a professional theatre and working with the crew down at the Shirley Burke theatre in Parkdale to showcase their talents to the wider community. 

Ms Angela Landy has been working closely with the leads on a Wednesday afternoon practicing their accents and characterisation. Mrs Abigail Awad with her speaker has been dancing through F corridor during lunchtimes, as well as Mrs Barry working with the students at lots of different times throughout the week to bring the classic songs to life: ‘The Candy Man’, ‘Pure Imagination’, ‘I’ve got a Golden ticket’ and Oompa Loompa Classics can be heard all over the College. More information for ticketing coming soon. We are all very excited to share this beautiful and heart-warming script with you all.

Winter Concert – Thursday 4 June

Please keep this date free in Week 7 to celebrate the music students across the College. A compulsory evening for all students in Year 7 and 8, with special performances from Jazz Band, Senior Band, Contemporary Groups, Chapel Band and the Primary Chapel Choir.

Primary Chapel Choir has over 30 Primary students performing – how special it is to see our students heart for worship each week as they rehearse with Mrs Natalie Cleary. Please see the Compass Events for all details.

Semester 1 Soirees

Please note that there are 2 dates for the instrumental music soirees this semester. With so much interest from students, last year we have broken up the soirees into 2 separate afternoons. If you have instrumental music lessons outside the College and would like to perform, please fill in the survey by Monday 8 June: Instrumental Music Soiree Semester 1, 2026 – Fill out form

What a busy year so far we have had in music, with many events still to come. Students are loving the new facilities that make band rehearsals sound so full and support our developing sounds. We feel very blessed that the College are looking after the facilities for performing arts as our space has definitely been renewed this year.

Thank you to all the students for their hard work and efforts so far this year.

Ruth Barry

Head of Music 

Upcoming Music Dates

Term 2

• Winter concert: Thursday 4 June, 7.00pm (Week 7)
• Piano, Woodwind and Brass Soiree: Monday 22 June, 3.45pm in F1 (with the Grand Piano) (Week 10)

• Guitar, Voice and Drums Soiree: Tuesday 23 June, 3.45pm in Auditorium (Week 10)

   

Term 3

• House Performing Arts Competition: Date TBC
• VSMF – Year 8 Band: Date TBC
• VSMF – Senior Band: Date TBC

• Musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 9 to 12 September (Week 9)

   

Term 4

• Spring Concert
• Presentation Assemblies
• Presentation Night