Creative Arts & Languages

One of the aims for "On Stage" (Drama), is for our students to perform on stage to a live audience. This term students achieved this aim by competing in the 74th Tamworth Eisteddfod. Students were required to compete in at least one of the following sections; Storytelling, Improvisation or Sight Reading. The College is so proud of our students success at achieving this outcome and beyond. 

Felicity Sawtell - Drama Teacher

On Tuesday 14 June, the Stage 5 Exploring Music Elective Class presented “A Century of Music” in the Our Lady of The Rosary Theatre. The students developed, designed, prepared and presented this concert to family and friends, with a song from each century of the last decade performed. For many students in the class this was the first time performing in front of an audience, and although nervous, they were very excited. The outcome was a wonderful performance with the students working together and supporting one another. Congratulations to you all.

On Thursday 16 June the College participated in the Music section of the Tamworth Eisteddfod. We had 9 different ensembles compete in 6 different sections. Eisteddfods are always a wonderful opportunity to gain experience in performing as well as receive valuable feedback from the Adjudicator.

The Tamworth Eisteddfod results are as follows:

• Stage 5 Class Performance - 2nd Place
• Small Ensembles:
  • - Brass Ensemble - 2nd Place
  • Woodwind Ensemble - 3rd Place
• Jazz Ensemble - 3rd Place
• Rock Band Section - “Serendipity” - 3rd Place
• Large Ensembles - Highly Commended

Congratulations to all of our students for their participation and achievements.

Some individual students have also achieved musical success in the Tamworth Eisteddfod this year. The following students have notified us of their success:

Katie Ringland

1st Restricted Vocal Solo

1st Character Song Vocal Solo in Costume

3rd Musical Theatre Vocal Solo

1st Vocal Championship 18 Years and Under

1st HSC Music Solo

Sophie Mackney

1st Popular Vocal Solo 14 Years and Under

Archie Ringland

2nd Instrumental Solo 15 Years and Under

Abbigale Gwatkin

1st Sing and Dance 14 Years and Under

Chloe Rex

2nd Classical Piano Solo

Highly Commended Australian Composition Piano Solo

3rd Modern Piano Solo

Chloe also competed in the Inverell and Narrabri Eisteddfods, achieving the following results:

• Inverell
  • HC Music Solo - Piano
  • HC Music Solo Jazz and Pop
  • 1st Music Solo Graded Piano
• Narrabri
  • 1st Classical Piano Solo
  • 1st 20th Century Piano
  • 1st Popular Piano Solo
  • 1st Australian Composition Piano Solo
  • 1st Piano Solo Study or Baroque Piano Solo

Congratulations to these students, and to all our students who performed at the Eisteddfod.

The Band Program at McCarthy continues to grow and develop. As we begin to come out of the restrictions from COVID, increasing numbers of students are joining the band, and some past students are rejoining. It is wonderful to see this growth as we continue to the future.

The Concert Band is currently working towards their performance at the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival in Brisbane in August, and members of the Junior Band are starting to work on more challenging pieces, in preparation for joining the Concert Band. If you are interested in joining the band program, or would like more information, please speak with Ms Swan or Mr McNeill.

Mrs Donna Swan - Leader of Learning - Creative Arts & Languages