Music News
Jazz Workshop
Last week the College was fortunate enough to welcome two world-renowned musicians from the Czech Republic who held a workshop for our Year 11 & 12 classroom music students. Libor Smoldas (guitar), “one of the fastest-rising talents on the Prague jazz scene” (The Prague Post) and Jakub Zomer (Hammond organ/voice), known for his “roaring organ solos” (Downbeat Magazine) played for the boys in a one-hour workshop of Jazz & Blues.
Talkin' Jazz
Talkin’ Jazz is a community for young jazz musicians to meet, learn and play hosted and supported by the Brisbane Jazz Club. It is a performance-based jazz program for high school students who have an interest in playing jazz music and want to learn more about it and meet other like-minded musicians. Talkin' Jazz consists of three programs: fortnightly Jam Sessions, a Big Band, and Performance Workshops. Through these programs, we aim to connect the program musicians with more experienced jazz musicians and educators from around Australia. For more information: http://www.talkinjazz.com.au
Term 1 Concerts
In 2020 Marist College Ashgrove continues a long tradition of outstanding music performances with a variety of chamber and large ensemble performances across Southern Queensland. Here is a list of the remaining Concerts for Term 1 and early Term 2.
Thursday 13 March, Champagnat Sports Trust Lunch – Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre
The College String Quartet will be providing entertainment for this event held at the Convention Centre.
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.trybooking.com/559356
Thursday 19 March, 6:30pm Autumn Concert, Draney Theatre
All members of the College community are invited to hear the College’s premier ensembles perform for the first time in full concert mode. This concert will feature the College’s Chamber Strings, Wind Orchestra 1, Big Band 1, Guitar Orchestra 1, Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra.
Admission: $5 per adult / Students free (seats must be reserved).
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.trybooking.com/BIMIA
Thursday 26 March, Year 5 Musical “Pirates” - 2 Performances: 5:00pm & 6:00pm, Draney Theatre
We're off to sail the rollicking sea, pirates all are we!” But ARRRR, and shiver me timbers! There's a stowaway on board! Perhaps the King of the High “Cs” will know what to do. Join this salty crew of colourful scallywags when Bluebeard, Yellowbeard, Whitebeard, Purplebeard - well, you get the picture - along with the No Beards hoist the Jolly Roger and set sail for a mighty adventure. This production involves all Marist year 5 students in their Draney Theatre debut.
Admission is free but seats must be reserved: https://www.trybooking.com/605907
Booking is available to parents and siblings only. Extended family are invited to view the live stream in the adjoining Experimental Theatre.
Thursday 2 April 6:30pm Combined Choral Concert – Pemulwuy Prelude, Draney Theatre
Celebrating male singing across South-East Queensland, Pemulwuy Prelude anticipates the National Male Voice Festival held in July. Featuring a number of external choir groups from Birralee, The Gap State High and the Grammarphones; joined by our very own Chamber Choir & Marist Voices.
Admission: $15 Adult and $10 Concession/child – More information on tickets will be available closer to the event.
Wednesday 6 May, Brisbane Big Band Festival, Brisbane Jazz Club
If you’re a lover of music of the big band era, then this week at the Brisbane Jazz Club is for you. Hidden beneath the spans of the Story Bridge, the Brisbane Jazz Club has been fostering live jazz in Brisbane since 1972. May 5 – 8 will see them host their annual Big Band Festival, which will see jazz bands performing across four days including our very own Big Band 1. More information on tickets and pricing will be available closer to the event.
Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2020 (Ekka Break), Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival: Villanova College & St James Church, Coorparoo
We would like to take this opportunity to confirm the College’s participation in the Queensland Catholic Colleges Music Festival again for 2020. We ask that all members of Big Band 1, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Wind Orchestra 1, Performance Choir, Guitar Orchestra 1 and Chamber Strings please reserve dates; 13th – 16th August (Thursday – Sunday over the Ekka Break) as a College commitment. The QCMF is a celebration of all things musical, covering a diverse range of genres within the classical and contemporary styles; providing a great opportunity for Catholic schools from all over Queensland to connect. More information regarding performance dates and times will be sent out closer to the event.
Dr Andrew Butt
Head of Music
Churchill Fellow