MUSIC

Queensland Catholic Music Festival (QCMF) Brisbane tour

Our Guitar and Percussion ensembles, Choir and Big Band flew to Brisbane on 14 August, immediately after the Assumption Mass at the cathedral, to participate in the QCMF at Villanova College. Thirty young men and three teachers boarded the flight that afternoon. Our flight was unremarkable as was the bus trip to our accommodation at the YHA. The duty manager was Saints Old Boy Chris Weir. From there we walked to Southbank for dinner, back to our accommodation and settled in for the night.

Day One – Friday

We took breakfast and organised ourselves for the day. The group (with instruments) walked to the Queensland Conservatorium of Music to take a tour of its facilities. Our guide showed us the many performance spaces, music technology labs, practice and lesson rooms, the amazing library as well as the incredible equipment they have at their disposal. While there, Edge Hill SS and Cairns High arrived for the Choral Fanfare competition. Education Queensland were short an adjudicator due to illness, so Mr Burcin was roped in to help them out that evening. 

After our tour, we caught the bus to Villanova to start our performances. Our Guitar Ensemble performed first. They had a very rushed entry to their section and were without some vital equipment (some good lessons learned). However, they performed well and were awarded gold. There was a break where students could take in the performances of other groups. The Percussion Ensemble performed later that afternoon and again the boys performed well receiving gold. Mr Burcin made a mercy dash to a music store for supplies in readiness for our Big Band section that night. Again, the boys performed exceptionally well and received gold. The adjudicators were very impressed with the performance by the ”kids from Cairns”.

Day Two – Saturday

We took breakfast a little later and had some time to prepare for a lighter day at the festival. In the morning students again took in performances from other schools, particularly rock bands. The Choir was the only group to perform in St James’ church. They were up against some choral heavyweights in A-division. The boys sang beautifully and received a silver award for their work. We returned to our accommodation for a rest in the afternoon and then dressed up and walked to Southbank for dinner followed by the Ballet – Sleeping Beauty at the Lyric Theatre. Complete with a large orchestra in the pit, students were entranced by the instrumentalists as well as the dancers on stage (one student referring to the ballerinas as beyblades [a brand of customizable, battling spinning tops]. A couple of students took the opportunity to nap during the show, but most of the boys commented that they enjoyed it more than they thought they would.

Day Three – Sunday

A big sleep-in with a later breakfast, we packed, wrapped instruments and were off to the airport for the flight home.

It was a great tour, with exceptionally well-behaved students and fantastic results.

Cerise & Blue

Our annual Open night is always a wonderful opportunity to show off our thriving and busy Music Department. We were split into two different areas this year with the Choir, Guitar Ensemble and String Orchestra performing in L105 at the entrance. Our other larger ensembles, the Concert Band, Percussion and Wind Ensemble as well as the Big Band playe in the Ambrose Quad. All groups performed well and the feedback was very positive.

Composition workshops

The QSO Compose Workshop will be held in Cairns in the upcoming school holidays with QSO Compose mentor, Craig Young. This workshop is being held in conjunction with the orchestra coming to town and their performance at CPAC.

Date: Wed 24 Sep

Time: 10am-1pm

Venue: Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Content: Students will learn all the best tips and tricks for writing for a professional orchestra, including sticking to a brief/commission/writing for each instrument of the orchestra, harmonisation techniques and getting the most out of your score.

Cost: Free! Form to RSVP: here

If you would like further information, please email Persia Littlewood,  persia.littlewood@qso.com.au.

Upcoming events

Information for events and performances is on the Arts Department Facebook page, in the newsletter and parent slips are sent out. Below is a calendar of events planned so far, and more events will be added in coming weeks. So please reread the newsletter each edition to check that you are abreast of all that is happening, and make sure you put these dates in your diary.

Term 3

Term 4