Music News
Dr Andrew Butt
Essentially Ellington Downunder Festival
After a hiatus of 3 years, Marist College Ashgrove once again welcomed The Essentially Ellington Down Under Festival for 2022 hosting 15 Big Bands from across Southern Queensland during the EKKA break. World-renowned Trombonist Vincent Gardner and New York Drummer and educator, Jerome Jennings were thoroughly impressed with the standard of groups across the day commenting that it was the highest standard that they had seen in Brisbane since the Festival began in 2016. It was another amazing experience for our Big Band 1 and 2 students being mentored by two of the world’s leading jazz musicians in our very own Draney Theatre. Following the festival, our Rhythm section players comprising of Jeremy Vanderbyl, Rohan Sweeney, Sam Patterson and Tom Horton were selected to be the exemplar players for a Teachers Professional Development session held at the Jazz Music Institute. The boys once again demonstrated the high level of playing that the College is renowned for and did the College proud.
Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival
Congratulations to Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra 1, Chamber Choir and Chamber Strings who participated in the Catholic Colleges Music Festival last weekend. The Festival was held this year in a reduced capacity and it was great to see Marist as the only school that competed in each of the top A grade sections for Choral, Strings, Band and Symphony. This is a testament to the depth and quality of the boys standard of performance. There were some mixed results and feedback for the adjudicators however it was great to see the Symphony achieve the top result in the A grade Orchestra Section and Chamber Choir tie for second place with Loreto College to an outstanding Choral group from All Hallows.
Tertiary Music Pathways
Students considering a tertiary pathway in Music for 2022, please note the following key information. Music courses have certain requirements, which can include auditions and/or submitting portfolios of work. These requirements often need to be completed well before non-music QTAC applications. Below are some key points and dates for various institutions. Please note, that there have been some slight changes to the audition process for some courses over the past two years.
If you are considering a tertiary pathway in Music for 2022, please ensure you discuss this with your Classroom and/or Instrumental Music teachers to ensure adequate support is provided. Should students or parents/guardians have any questions, you are encouraged to contact the Music Department at any time. For further information regarding QTAC applications, please contact the College Career Counsellor who can also offer further assistance specific to this area.
Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University: Bachelor of Music (Performance: Jazz, Classical etc; Creative Music Technology; Composition; or Musical Theatre)
- Submit your QTAC Application between: closes 9 September 2022
- Register and Pay for your Audition via GriffithPAY by: 31 August
- Phase 1: Submit Recorded Video Audition (Performance/Musical Theatre) or Portfolio (Creative Music Technology & Composition) and Supporting Documents (Artistic Statement): Due August 31
- Phase 2: In-person/online audition between: Dates TBC (advised via QCGU by mid-September)
Queensland University of Technology: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music)
- Apply Via QTAC: From August 2 2022 (closes 26 September)
- Complete QUT online registration form and pay application fee via QUTPay
- This online forms includes application: 2 Audition Video Links, Supporting documentation (2 Page Music CV and Evidence of Musical Achievements) and Personal Statement Video
- Application due date: 26 September (5:00pm)
Info: https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-fine-arts-music#requirements
Degree Homepage: https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-fine-arts-music
University of Queensland: Bachelor of Music (Honours)
- Apply Via QTAC: From August 2
- Submit Application Audition Form including a fifteen-minute video recorded audition
- Applications close Monday August 15, 4:00pm
More Info: https://music.uq.edu.au/study/bachelor-music-honours-auditions
JMI (Jazz Music Institute): https://www.jazz.qld.edu.au/how-to-apply/
JMC Academy:
(Contemporary Music Performance)
https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/our-courses/contemporary-music-performance/
(Audio Engineering & Sound Production)
https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/our-courses/audio-engineering-sound-production/(Music Production)
https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/our-courses/music-production/
(Songwriting)