Music News

The music department concluded the year on a high note with a captivating performance at Robert Blackwood Hall on December 4th during Presentation Night. The Catalyst Strings, skillfully directed by Gyula Cseszko, set the tone with exceptional incidental music, creating a captivating ambiance as guests took their seats. The mass item, conducted by Sean Smyth, featured a powerful rendition of "Highlights from Phantom of the Opera."

Mr. Smyth extends his heartfelt gratitude to all the music teachers for their outstanding efforts in preparing the musicians throughout the year and helping get everything set up for Presentation Night. Particularly to Mr Ben Delves, the Assistant Head of Music, who is always the first one to volunteer to lift amps and the last one helping to pack an event down. Additionally, he expresses appreciation to the members of the music executive team whose dedication ensured the smooth setup, operation, and efficient breakdown of the event that evening. The success of JMSS community music is undoubtedly a collective achievement, reflecting the strength of our exceptional team across all levels.

Directly following Presentation Night, a group of exemplary JMSS musicians treated the school community to an impromptu Christmas concert during Tuesday's lunchtime. The spontaneous performance showcased remarkable sight-reading skills as students delivered a delightful selection of 12 classic carols, earning the applause of an appreciative audience composed of both students and staff.

The vibrant music scene at JMSS is thriving, evident in the rapidly filling 2024 lesson program. Some instruments have already reached capacity, prompting a waitlist. If you're interested in securing music lessons for 2024, we encourage you to promptly complete your online application. The application link is:

We extend hearty congratulations to Warren Kusuma and Isabel Lai, recipients of the Academic Excellence Awards for VCE Music. Additionally, special recognition goes to Teagan Dao and Estelle Roberts, who received the 2024 Excellence in Music awards. Estelle and Teagan have made outstanding contributions to the JMSS music program throughout their tenure, and they will be sincerely missed.

To all our music graduates, the JMSS music team sends warm wishes for a bright future filled with success and fulfillment. Remember, music is a lifelong skill and a vital component of human well-being, so don't let your instruments gather dust in the cupboard! Finally, as the holiday season approaches, the music team wishes everyone a joyous and safe holiday. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

~ Sean Smyth

• https://on.soundcloud.com/mg764 - JMSS Choir's recording of 'Meditation #2' (Cloud Control cover) - special thanks to Mr Palankay for recording and mixing the project and Loz (Ms Irwin-Ray) and Ms Chen for preparing and leading the ensemble

• https://on.soundcloud.com/eHwh6 - Mixtape 3 of Co-Curricular Class: Music Composition & Songwriting - featuring Abby C, Alexander T, Thomas M and Sabrina P