MUSIC

Farewell 

We are farewelling two of our instrumental instructors who are moving into the next phase of their lives – retirement. 

Ms Christine Marnane has been at the College for nearly 10 years conducting our Combined Saints String Ensemble and teaching strings at Saints and in our feeder primary school programs. We thank Ms Marnane for her dedication to the program and her students over the years. 

Mr Peter Drazic has been a guitar teacher at St Augustine's for nearly 20 years. Mr Drazic has fostered a love of music in all his guitar students and taught them many different genres and styles of music. Peter is such a part of the furniture, that it will be weird to not have him at Saints each week.

 We wish Christine and Peter all the best for their retirement. 

Saints is currently sourcing a strings teacher for 2026. All of Mr Drazic’s students will have lessons with Ms Connors in 2026. 

Saints Unplugged 

Our final Saint Unplugged Junior for the year was held on Tuesday 11 November. Our junior students are a talented group and there were many outstanding performances. As a part of our Instrumental Music curriculum, students must complete a performance for their assessment. These nights not only serve as great experience for our students but assists them in completing the performance requirement of their coursework. 

Thank you to Mr Darveniza, Mr Chandler, Ms Mercer, Ms Marnane, Ms Connors and Mr Drazic for their work with our students throughout the year and for preparing them for the evening. A huge thank you also, to Mrs Kerry McKenzie and her hospitality all stars for their amazing food service during all our evenings. 

Annual Awards Evening 

The CSC Wind Ensemble, Saints Percussion Ensemble, Saints Choir and Saints Big Band performed at our Annual Awards Evening last Friday 21. This was the final performance of the year for our groups. Thank you to Mr Burcin, Mr Darveniza and Mr Chandler who conducted the groups during the evening. On this evening we celebrate excellence and the groups on show definitely demonstrated that in their performances. 

Instrumental music lessons 2026 

A Microsoft form has been sent to all parents and carers to indicate the interest in their sons' continuing with their instrumental music lessons next year. Spaces are limited so, if you haven’t already, please ensure you fill in your form and return iasap.  

Thank you 

Thank you to our instrumental music teachers and ensemble directors for all their work this year. Without them our Music Department wouldn’t be what it is. Thank you also to the parents who braved the early mornings and the late nights to enable their sons to participate in our various events. The gift you give them in playing a musical instrument is a truly wonderful gift they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and we’ll see you in 2026.