Music News

Ashgrove Virtual Music

Since the commencement of home learning at Marist, the Music Department has been busy with remote instrumental lessons via zoom and in some cases the commencement of ensembles in a virtual format. Here is a performance some of the boys from Big Band 1 put together from their loungerooms at home. This piece “Little Sunflower” was composed by the late and great jazz artist Freddie Hubbard.

Musica Viva announces 2020-2021 FutureMakers

Congratulations to 2009 Old Boy Daniel Smith who has been recently selected for Music Viva’s 2020-2021 FutureMakers program. Daniel’s selection comes as part of the Partridge String Quartet. Based in Melbourne, the ensemble is comprised of violinist William Huxtable, violinist Mana Ohashi, violist Eunise Cheng, and cellist Daniel Smith. Their accolades include winning first prize at the Queensland International Chamber Music Competition last year and receiving a three-week residency at Canada’s Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity in 2018. They have appeared at the Musica Viva Festival, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and at this year’s inaugural Bendigo Chamber Music Festival. Daniel led the Cello section in the College’s Symphony Orchestra in his time at Ashgrove where he always demonstrated outstanding potential and talent.

Concerts

Information regarding music concerts for the remainder of this term and year will be published via the usual channels (College App, Newsletter and weekly timetable email). At this stage, all events are still on hold until further restrictions are lifted by the Government. We are hoping that some concerts may be rescheduled where possible when we return to school. At this stage, it is looking highly likely that all ensembles will resume rehearsals when all boys return in Week 6. This will be confirmed in the near future.

Instrumental Music Lessons

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in the continuation of Instrumental Lessons while Learning at Home. The success of these lessons would not have been possible without your support and our dedicated teaching staff. Thanks to all. For those who were required to take a break from lessons during this time, a subsequent email will be sent out to confirm the continuation of lessons.

Dr Andrew Butt

Head of Music

Churchill Fellow