Clavier Soiree 2022

Michiko Morita 

Instrumental Music – Piano & Keyboard 

After a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clavier Soiree - Piano & Keyboard Concert staged on Tuesday evening 18th October, with 18 students performing proficiently, was a great success . The large number of attendees filled the concert venue; our theatre is a visually and acoustically wonderful part of Brunswick Secondary College.  

Students from all levels performed and improvised, from beginners with less than four months’ experience, to advanced VCE students challenging repertoire by Chopin and Rachmaninoff. 

All student performers engaged the audience beautifully and introduced their pieces with pride. It was truly a wonderful recital evening, and such a delight to see students’ enthusiasm for piano study. There were happy smiles from warm supportive families - every performance and every minute of the concert was precious. 

We look forward to many more music filled evenings at Brunswick Secondary College with such talented young pianists.   Please click on the gallery below to enlarge the photos, and read the student comment around the evening.

Cristian Ferri 

Graduate 2022

VCE Piano was a challenge, but one that enabled me to study piano better than I had ever done before. It helped me to learn the importance of two things: practicing exercises, which I often neglected, and performances, which I often didn’t want to do. Performing at the piano soiree was one of my favourite performance experiences, because it came off the back of a year of preparing and working on exam pieces. With the exam having been finished, I could play the pieces with little stress in comparison – and losing that tenseness really elevates the music. Of course, there will always be pressure in performance, but that only makes it all the more rewarding when they are successful. Getting up on the stage for the last time at the school, I was no longer nervous. Instead, I was rather grateful for ever having had the opportunity to do so in the first place. 

Theodore Koch 

Year 10 

The Piano Soiree was an incredible night, I loved seeing everyone’s unique performances and sharing mine. Michiko encouraged me to explore what I always wanted to: singing and playing improvise on the piano. I was both exhilarated and petrified at first, it wasn’t something I was familiar with, and I had to perform it. Though, by the time the night came around I was totally ready (and very nervous), so I sat at the piano and played ‘The Sun Is in Your Eyes’ by Jacob Collier. Playing this piece helped me learn so much and I’m so grateful that I got to experience it. It is a night I will treasure forever, thank you Michiko!           

Philippa Van Delft 

Year 7

I really enjoyed the being part of the Piano Soiree, it was an amazing experience, and I would do again if I had the chance. I was very nervous, as it was my first time performing on stage, but after it was over, I felt relieved, but also proud that I had played piano in front of an audience. I think our group worked very well together, and all in all, the Piano Soiree was a huge success.               

Elizabeth Georghiou 

Year 7 

The concert was really exciting experience. I met new people and had lots of fun to learn and performing songs!

Chloe Italia 

Year 7 

The piano soiree was the first opportunity I've had to play piano in front of an audience. It's been very enjoyable in the leading up to the concert with Michiko being really supportive. It was great to play with others and listen to other talented students’ playing. Overall, it was a great experience.    

Lola McCammon 

Year 7

Surprisingly, I wasn’t too anxious before and after the concert, though during it I was somewhat nervous. It felt good to perform in front of a lot of people playing songs I enjoyed learning. Even if I made a few mistakes, it was still a very fun and a good experience.    

 Juanita Myers 

Year 9

The Piano Soiree was a great way to end the year and showcase everyone's achievements. I loved being able to finally perform in front of people after such a long break due to the pandemic, and am so excited to get more involved next year! It was great to work with people across different year levels and to see everyone's talent. I am so thankful for my teacher Ms. Morita who has taught me so much and helped me improve my piano skills. I'll be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be taught by such an amazing teacher, and I wish you all the best for your future endeavours. 

Bond Fairbanks 

Year 8 

Before I went on stage, I felt so nervous about performing in front of everyone and experienced anxiety on a whole new level. But when I started to play, I didn’t feel nervous anymore. All I had to do was sit and play. After I performed, I felt so proud of myself for sharing my music with the audience. I want to thank my piano teacher for giving me the opportunity to do what I love.

Benjamin Morgan 

Year 7 

Playing at the piano soiree was a very enjoyable experience. I was nervous when I got up to the stage as I had never performed in front of a large crowd before. I played two pieces with other students. It was inspiring to listen to all the other students playing their piano pieces.  Once it was over, I felt really happy and proud. 

Hannah Ryan 

Year 7 

I thought the piano soiree was so much fun. Before I started playing I had a funny feeling in my stomach, but once I started playing, I didn’t feel it anymore. I didn’t notice the audience or anything. It was a great experience for me, and I really liked performing.