The Arts - Music

Student Representation

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent the school in a number of upcoming events:

Creative Generation - State Schools on Stage - Issak Judd and Jefferson Dinnis will be performing in the Symphony Orchestra and James Morrison Big Band in this year’s show. Genevieve Krause has been selected for the featured dance troupe and will perform in multiple items across the show. Congratulations also to Evey Fletcher who was selected to be in the Signing Choir and Musical Theatre performance group and Issac Pass who was chosen to perform on cello in the Symphony Orchestra. They are unable to participate this year due to other commitments, but should be acknowledged for their selection for this exclusive event.

SHEP - State Honours Ensemble Program - The following students have been selected for the two upcoming SHEP events:

SHEP Sth-East QLD - Madeline Day (Voice); Ted Gooding (Trumpet); Ben Lynch (Tuba); Toby McDonald (Cello); Piper Rafflet (Viola); Lucas Sell (Cello); Aiden Williams (Double Bass).

SHEP Brisbane - Eamon Cause (Trumpet); Patterson Davies (Cello); Hugo Heinonen (Trumpet); Arabella Willmott (Trumpet)

Anzac Day Service

Thank you to our choristers and trumpet players for their service on Anzac Day this year. Our combined choir performed a stirring rendition of The Soldier by Paul Jarman, at both our school and community Anzac Services. Thank you to Ms Dargusch and Mrs Collins for leading and accompanying this beautiful song which acknowledges the tragedy of war and the hope for a better future. 

A huge shout out to our marvellous trumpet players who performed The Last Post and Rouse at school, primary school and community events all over the neighbourhood.

Issak Judd played at the Walton Bridge Dawn Service, Walton Bridge Morning Service, our school service, Patrick’s Road SS and Ferny Hills SS as well as Mitchelton Football club.

Luca Entesano played at Mitchelton SS, Tri-Care Retirement Village and Mitchelton Football club.

Arabella Willmott played at Keperra Sanctuary Retirement Village

Hugo Heinonen played at Payne Rd SS

Eamon Cause played at Grovely SS and Hilder Rd SS.

Percussion Showcase

On Monday 27 April, our percussion ensemble Arcadia, performed in a fantastic showcase at Brisbane State High School. Performing alongside two ensembles from State High, one from Kenmore and one from Mansfield, our group demonstrated great skill and musicianship in their engaging performances of Nathan Daughtrey’s Techno Pop and Mercury Rising. 

In the lead up to Fanfare, this group, like all of our IM ensembles, is working really hard to refine their repertoire for adjudication. It was a fantastic night of virtuosic playing, in sync ensembles and dynamic performance skills - thank you to Mr Jarrott for making it all happen.

David Jones Masterclass

On the last day of Term 1, in the last period of the day, our AMPed classes and our percussion students had the incredibly honour of attending a workshop with world-renowned drummer, David Jones. David is an incredible drum-set artist but also a composer, creative and curious thinker and collaborator. In an informal Q&A session he discussed topics including working as a professional musician, dealing with performance pressure, nerves and anxiety; productive practise routines; rhythmic concepts - foundations, counting, subdivision etc.; balance, blend, tone; listening skills; posture for longevity as a musician and compositional ideas. It was an incredible way to end the term.

Musica Viva Strike a Chord Competition

This year we are entering two string quartets into the Musica Viva Strike a Chord competition. This national chamber music competition sees instrumental music groups from all over the country refining and performing some incredibly high level repertoire with the national final being held in Melbourne later in the year. This week we were lucky enough to have a workshop with Christa Powell from Topology to help shape the pieces our two quartets will submit later this term. It was an incredible experience to have Christa here working with our students and we are so grateful for the opportunity to make music with someone of her calibre!

Fanfare 2026 - Wind Ensemble

Last Wednesday morning our Wind Ensemble was lucky enough to have their rehearsal conducted by Alisa Jones who is one the Instrumental Music Heads of Department from the Metropolitan North district. 

Alisa is a highly respected Instrumental Music practitioner and conductor and our students loved workshopping their Fanfare repertoire with her - pulling out nuance and emotion, considering ways to approach each phrase and balancing the ensemble. 

Thank you Mrs Forgan for arranging this wonderful learning opportunity.