Music Notes
HPA House Orchestras
The first half of this term was centred on supporting the Houses as they worked towards a very successful House Performing Arts competition. One of the many highlights of this year’s HPA program was the strong showing from all four House Orchestras and Chamber Choirs. The external adjudicators commented positively on both the standard of performance and the commitment shown by students throughout the preparation process. This proudly reflects the depth we have with our choirs and instrumental ensembles in the Music Centre.
A particular congratulations goes to the student orchestra and choir leaders, who each developed their conducting and leadership skills during the rehearsal period. Their work behind the scenes played an important role in the success of the performances.
Open Rehearsals
This week we were pleased to welcome parents and extended family members into a series of Open Rehearsals for our senior ensembles.
These sessions gave families the opportunity to see what happens during a typical rehearsal — something that is often hidden behind the polished performances seen at concerts. While individual practice at home can sometimes sound incomplete on its own, it is during ensemble rehearsals that students learn how their part contributes to the full musical picture.
Music rehearsals are much more than preparing notes for a performance. Ensemble music-making develops:
teamwork and listening skills
persistence and resilience
concentration and discipline
coordination between mind and body
creative and flexible thinking
Research continues to show strong links between music education and broader academic development, with music students often demonstrating highly developed problem-solving and cognitive skills.
Most importantly, parents were able to witness genuine learning in action — the gradual process of improvement, collaboration, and refinement that takes place each week in rehearsals.
Thank you to all the parents and family members who attended rehearsals for:
Senior Choirs
Senior Strings
Senior Concert Band
Symphony Orchestra
Your support and encouragement make a real difference to our students.
Woodwind Soiree
Thursday night’s Orchestral Room was filled with the rich sounds of woodwind student soloists and small groups. A diverse range of standards and styles were showcased, with some students performing for the first time. The more experienced musicians presented challenging pieces that is further developing their musicianship. Parents and students alike thoroughly enjoyed the performances, and all students should feel incredibly proud.
A special thank you goes to the Woodwind teachers in attendance: Mr Mirko Guerrini (who also served as our MC), Ms Natalie Kim and Mr Martin Lee. We were also grateful for the diligent work of Mrs Lynne Langdon, our new Music Administration Officer who created and distributed the printed programmes.
Further ‘instrument family’ concerts are currently being planned, along with our small ensembles’ ‘Smorgasbord Concert’ in Term 3.
Winter Concert
The combined Junior School and Middle School Winter Concert will take place in the early evening of Tuesday 16 June in our PAC.
The groups performing are:
Junior School Little Choir Junior School Choir Junior School Chamber Choir
Junior Strings Intermezzo Strings JS Percussion Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble Prelude Concert Band Year 5-6 Band
Year 7-8 Choir Year 7 Chamber Choir Year 8 Chamber Choir
Intermezzo Concert Band Year 9 Chamber Choir
More details will be soon deployed via Consent2Go, but in the meantime can you please mark this event in your diaries if your child is in one or more of the groups listed above. We will be starting the concert at 6:30pm and anticipate that the concert will be finished by around 8:30pm.
International Visitor to the Music Centre
We are delighted to welcome Olivia Frank from Principia College to the Music Department for the final three weeks of term. Olivia is currently studying a Bachelor of Music and will be assisting in classes and ensemble rehearsals during her visit. She is a cellist and bass guitarist with a strong interest in music theory and arranging.
We look forward to the experience and perspective she will bring to our Music Centre community.
Mr David Mowat
Director of Music