Co-curricular Arts News

Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival

Congratulations to all MCA musicians and the Music Department for their outstanding efforts and achievements at the recent Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival held over the EKKA break. With more than 14,000 student performers from across Australia, QCMF is one of the largest school music festivals in the Southern Hemisphere.

It was fantastic to see Marist College Ashgrove once again proudly represented as one of the very few Catholic schools competing in every top A-grade section across Choral, Strings, Wind Band, Big Band and Symphony. This achievement is a testament to the depth, dedication, and quality of musical performance at the College.

Special congratulations to Chamber Strings and Big Band 1, who both received Gold Awards, as well as to the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, and Wind Orchestra for their Silver Awards. A particular highlight was the glowing praise from the adjudicators for Big Band 1, who were recognised as the standout performance in their section by a considerable margin.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated music staff—Megan Harmston, Catherine Wasserman, Samantha Blakeney, Mellanie Stewart, Alison Braidwood and Janelle Lee Long—for their tireless work over the weekend and behind the scenes. Thank you also to the boys for their commitment, both in rehearsals and through their practice at home. Your hard work and passion continue to raise the standard of music at MCA.

Well done to all involved!

Essentially Ellington Down Under Festival

On Monday, 18 August 2025, Marist College Ashgrove proudly hosted the flourishing Essentially Ellington Down Under – Big Band Festival, which featured performances by Big Band 1 alongside several exceptional school jazz ensembles from across Southern Queensland.

Essentially Ellington Down Under is a prestigious, non-competitive jazz festival and professional development initiative co-presented by the Jazz Music Institute (JMI) in Brisbane and Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in New York. The festival celebrates the artistry of Duke Ellington’s big band tradition and offers Australian high school musicians the opportunity to perform alongside—and learn from—the program's esteemed U.S. clinicians.

At this year’s festival, Big Band 1 was guided and adjudicated by two outstanding JALC clinicians—Vince Gardner and Jerome Jennings—who conducted personalized feedback sessions immediately following the performances.

• Vince Gardner – acclaimed lead trombonist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, arranger, and educator

• Jerome Jennings – internationally respected drummer, composer, and educator, known for his deep knowledge of swing and jazz tradition

   

Vince Gardner provided the MCA students with unique insights into style, phrasing, ensemble cohesion, and improvisation, ensuring an unforgettable educational experience.

At the heart of Marist’s musical excellence, Big Band 1 delivered a high level performance that resonated with both the audience and the visiting clinicians. With well-crafted arrangements, dynamic solos, and polished ensemble precision, the group demonstrated outstanding musicality and stylistic flair, truly embodying the spirit of Ellington-era swing.

The Jazz at Lincoln Centre clinicians provided immediate, personalised feedback during a dedicated 45-minute workshop following the performance, a rare and invaluable learning experience for our students.

We look forward to participating in this inspiring event again in the future.

DJ Performances College Dance

A recent highlight has been the Years 5 & 6 and Years 7 & 8 College Dances, held in Week 5 of Term 3. All DJ students were invited to perform, providing a fantastic soundtrack of dance hits, complete with retro throwbacks and remixes that kept the energy high throughout the night. A special commendation goes to the beginner Year 7 & 8 students who stepped up to contribute to the evening’s music—an impressive effort for their first live performances. Sincere thanks go to all boys involved for sharing their talents and supporting this community event. For any enquiries or enrolments in Instrumental Music Production and DJ lessons, please contact Music Reception music@marash.qld.edu.au.

Triple J Unearthed High 2025

Marist College Ashgrove has a proud and thriving tradition of students composing original music, fostered through both our curricular and co-curricular programs. Each year, Triple J Unearthed High invites high school students from across Australia to submit an original song, offering the chance to win a songwriting workshop with The Jungle Giants, Nerve, Peach PRC, or What So Not!, alongside valuable industry mentorship and support.

In 2025, the College proudly celebrated four student entries in this prestigious competition, which has helped launch the careers of artists such as Gretta Ray and The Kid LAROI. While the competition has now closed, the College commends all students who submitted entries and extends special recognition to The Waiting List, who achieved airplay on Triple J Unearthed Radio - a significant achievement.