Performing Arts

Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvellous things;

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

Make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,

With trumpets and the blast of the trombone, shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98

Our student musicians have been very busy in recent weeks with many rehearsals and performances.

The first Performance Soiree provided students with an opportunity to perform solo in front of an appreciative audience. The Junior School Soiree featured solos performed on violin, cello, piano, saxophone, drums and clarinet. The Senior School musicians presented solos on piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet and voice. It was a very entertaining evening and displayed the high standard that has been achieved as many students were preparing for examinations.

A number of students have presented their examination performances and we will print the results in editions to come. All are to be congratulated on their achievements.

A highlight of the year thus far was the Senior Ensemble Evening, featuring a variety of instruments, voices and musical styles. The delicate nature of Chin’s Au Revoir Budapest was captured by Sinfonia as they filled the stage with musicians. The Senior Concert Band set toes tapping with Hogan’s Heroes March and then presented a very sophisticated arrangement of Singin’ In The Rain, featuring every woodwind, brass and percussion section.

The smaller auditioned instrumental groups entertained with their presentations. Cantabile captured the style of Schmidt’s Minuetto, Szforzando had the audience smiling as they listened to the classics Sing Sing Sing and Old Time Rock and Camerata wowed everyone with their clean and precise rendition of Naudot’s Concerto in C major, 3rd movement: Allegro.

Vocal music was also a feature of the evening, with rich harmonies and confident presentations. The Middle Years Vocal Ensemble is a new ensemble and they did not disappoint with performances of From Now On and Dream On, both featuring soloists Daniel Leong and Nicole Moses, respectively. The Senior Vocal Ensemble displayed maturity in tone and interpretation presenting I Will Always Love You, featuring Alicia Barker, and Seasons of Love, featuring Jarvis Eleveld and Leila Rivet.

The Senior Choir brought the evening to a close with captivating performances of Run and Louder Than Words, featuring the voices of Daniella Hupertz and Simon Wang. The choir then joined the audience in the body of the church and sang the beautiful worship song After All (Holy), which also featured Chloe Skipworth on Saxophone. At the conclusion you could have heard a pin drop as everyone soaked in the powerful message of the song.

All our students and ensemble directors are to be congratulated on all that they contribute to the fabric of our College culture.

Our Junior School musicians have also performed in their Ensemble Evening and a full report will appear in the next issue of The Vine.

Our Middle School thespians are preparing for their production of Aladdin JR, which takes to the stage in early Term 3. Keep an eye out for how you can book tickets. You do not want to miss this showcase of talent. Rehearsals have also just commenced for the Junior School’s Seussical JR and this will be performed in Week 8 of Term 3.

Music Camp will also be upon us at the end of the first week of Term 3, a valuable opportunity to prepare for the Semester 2 performances and to enjoy each other’s company.

I wish everyone a safe and restful term break, with maybe a spot of drama, dance and music to soothe the soul.

Jeffrey Clarke

Head of Performing Arts