Music News
Dr Andrew Butt
Welcome all, to what promises to be another Semester of spirited music-making at Marist College Ashgrove. Music Events for Term 3 are already underway, with our Big Band 1 travelling to Warwick this Thursday 22 July to perform at the annual Warwick Jumpers & Jazz Festival. This regional festival is one of Queensland’s premier jazz events, with over 60,000 patrons attending the festival since its inception in 2004. In Week 3, our leading String and Choral Ensembles will perform at the Cathedral Concert at St Stephen’s Cathedral - Brisbane City, an ideal acoustic venue for this genre. This year, the culmination of the 2021 Concert Season Soiree will occur earlier in the year, in order to farewell our Graduating Seniors prior to their external examinations. Falling on September 10th (Week 9, Term 3) further details regarding Soiree and Grandparents Day will be communicated via the College Newsletter and App in the coming weeks. Please find further information regarding other Semester Two Music Events and Concerts below.
Year 5 Band & Strings Concert Recording
We are pleased to share the recording from the Semester One Year 5 Band & Strings Concert with you all. Congratulations to the boys on their progress on various instruments so far this year. A reminder of the opportunity for Year 5 students to enrol in Group Vocal Lessons at a promotional rate of $13/lesson which are also available through Year 6. Boys will also have the opportunity to continue tuition on their instrument in Year 6 and beyond!
Old Boys and Current Students in Musical Theatre
We are excited to share that current Year 7 Music Student, Cooper Matthews is set to light up QPAC this September, as he takes to the stage as Charlie in the Brisbane production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, congratulations Cooper!
2010 Old Boy and Professional Vocal Coach, Jesse Ainsworth is also to be congratulated on his role as Judas in the 12th Night Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Jesse has received glowing reviews in his role; “Ainsworth’s final note in ‘Heaven on Their Minds’ cementing both the calibre of the show’s performers and electrifying tone of the enduring soundtrack” (Blue Curtains Brisbane, July 2021).
Semester Two Music Events and Concerts
Thursday 22 July: Jumpers and Jazz Festival – 9:30am and 11:45am, Warwick Town Hall
Big Band 1 have been invited to represent the College at this regional festival in Warwick. Jumpers in July is one of Queensland’s premier jazz events, with over 60,000 patrons attending the festival since its inception in 2004. The boys will be performing two morning sets at Warwick Town Hall, providing entertainment for the Warwick locals and visitors.
Thursday 29 July Co-curricular Music Photos - from 8:50am, Draney Theatre
Members of all ensembles will have group photos taken. Boys are to bring their instrument(s) and black performance uniform to school. Further confirmation and schedules will be sent via email closer to the date
Thursday 29 July: Cathedral Concert - 6:30pm, The Cathedral of St StephenThis concert provides an opportunity for the College’s Secondary School Choral, String and Guitar Ensembles to perform in the spiritual heart of the city. St Stephen’s Cathedral is a venue that provides the perfect acoustics for this genre. Ensembles performing will be Chamber Choir, Performance Choir, Chamber Strings, Senior Strings, and Guitar Orchestras 1 and 2A.
Admission: Adults $10, Child/Concession $5 and Family $20
Book Using: https://www.trybooking.com/BSYCG
Thursday 5 August, Winds & Percussion Concert – 6:30pm, Draney Theatre
Wind Orchestras 1 and 2, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensembles 1, 2 and 3 will feature in this performance utilizing the wonderful technical facilities of the Draney Theatre. This concert will showcase a diverse program of musical genres. Admission: Adults $5, Students Free Book Using: https://www.trybooking.com/BSYCO
Thursday 19 August: Chapel Concert - 6.30pm, The Chapel of Our Lady and Saint Marcellin
Marist has a thriving Music department, which all starts with the energy from our developing ensembles. This concert shows where it all begins with performances from String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Guitar Orchestra 2B, Junior String Quartet, Junior Vocal Quintet and Marist Voices. As well as featuring some of our leading senior students. Admission: Free
Friday 10 September: Grandparents Day Concert – Champagnat Centre
This morning concert will showcase most of the College’s premier ensembles for grandparents of the Marist College Ashgrove Community. Further details will be available via the College Newsletter and App closer to the event
Friday 10 September: Soiree - 6:30pm, Champagnat Centre
All members of the College community are invited to this annual gala event to farewell our 2021 Year 12 students. This celebratory concert will feature all of the College’s large and small ensembles. Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Further details will be available via the College Newsletter and App closer to the event.
29 September – 3 October, State Honours Program Camp and Concert – Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank
Marist senior musicians will participate in this highly respected program bringing together the finest young musicians from across the state. Under the tutelage of a team of eminent international and national conductors in a world-class environment, the program culminates in four gala concerts in the Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank.
Sunday 9 to Thursday 14 October - GRIPPS Camp and Concert – The Gap State High School
Selected Marist junior musicians will join over 160 other students from 13 primary schools in The Gap and Ashgrove area to refine their skills under the direction of professional music teachers during a four-day camp at The Gap State High School. The camp concludes with a final gala concert.
11 October – 31 October (Performance Date, Venue & Times TBC) Music Fest 2021
MusicFest is a competition that celebrates excellence in music performance and education through a range of performances, involving schools from all over Queensland. Marist Ashgrove looks forward to the opportunity to participate in this great event for 2021. Further details regarding which ensembles will be involved, exact dates and performance venues and times will be confirmed closer to the event.
Monday 8 November: Studio Concerts - 3:30pm, Draney Theatre and Music Centre
These intimate concerts will give our piano, guitar, brass, woodwind, string, percussion and vocal students an opportunity to share their solo recital skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. Admission: Free
Thursday 11 November: Year 5 Concert - 6:00pm, Draney Theatre
Come along and hear the stars of the future, with the Year 5 choir, Strings and Band performing for the final time this year. Admission: Free, but tickets must be reserved (limit of 4 tickets per family) Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BSYZX