Music News

Dr Andrew Butt

The past two weeks have been an incredibly busy and enjoyable time for the Music Department with performances here at the College and in the wider community. Last week we celebrated the Feast Day of Marcellin Champagnat with one of the most outstanding liturgies to date. The boys and the College community were in full voice in what was a joyous celebration. Creative Industries Week featured a number of workshops and performances including our premier event for the semester, the Concert Celebration. This concert gave evidence to the rich musical culture that we enjoy here at Marist with the standard of excellence across all ensembles being very palpable to what was a highly appreciative audience. The night included a student performance on the Concert Harp for the first time in the College’s history. The Symphonic work Stille Nacht featured a duet between Oliver Betts on cello and Jeremy Vanderbyl on Harp and was a spectacular highlight of the concert. The Music Department was also pleased to welcome back internationally acclaimed pop singer-songwriter and 2014 Old Boy Joel Adams. Joel hosted a number of performance workshops for our Classroom Music students as part of the Creative Industries Week program.

Chamber Choir News

On Friday 21 May, the Chamber Choir set off to represent Marist College Ashgrove at the Queensland Youth Music Awards at St Peter’s Lutheran College. The boys sang incredibly well and also had the opportunity to listen to some of the other competing choirs. The event was adjudicated by Paul Holley OAM who awarded our performers a Silver Award with some great feedback which was clearly taken on board, as was exemplified by the ensemble’s outstanding performance at the Semester 1 Concert Celebration last Thursday night. Congratulations to Mathew Flinders Anglican College who took out first place at the event. Following this, the Chamber Choir performed as part of the local National Sorry Day Ceremony at Teralba Park, Everton Park on Wednesday 26 May. This annual event is a mark of respect, apology and remembrance of the Stolen Generations & their families.

Queensland Youth Music Awards
Queensland Youth Music Awards
National Sorry Day Ceremony
National Sorry Day Ceremony
National Sorry Day Ceremony
Queensland Youth Music Awards
Queensland Youth Music Awards
National Sorry Day Ceremony
National Sorry Day Ceremony
National Sorry Day Ceremony

Battle of the Bands

The 2021 edition of Battle of the Bands was welcomed by a spectacular day in what was arguably the most competitive event to date. The competition included a diverse number of groups, making it very difficult for the judge to arrive at a decision. Guest judge and 1994 Old Boy, Pete Cullen commented on the amazing music culture that exists at the College awarding a tight first place to Special Features, (Zach Carr, Alex Smith and Daniel Lynn) with My Friend Cody (Jeremy Sankey, Alex Flanagan and Josh Pignolet) taking second and Damascus, (Jermy Vanderbyl, Luka Wilde, Louis van Winden, Sam Paterson, Rohan Sweeney, Sam Mead and Baxter Melrose) rounding out the podium. Congratulations to all involved, in what was a consistently high standard across all bands.