The Arts

Visual Arts: celebrating the class of 2020 

Mason Cremasco and Beatris Ryman Lacey completed the Visual Arts course as part of their IB Diploma in 2020 and have had their work selected to be included in the Victorian and Tasmanian International Baccalaureate Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition at Glen Eira City Council Gallery, Caulfield from 11 - 28 February. The exhibition celebrates the quality and diversity of work produced by Year 12 students across the two states. 

Mason's multimedia sculpture Artificial Living presents a critique on water pollution and explores the impact of how microplastics enter our bodies through the food we consume; Beatris’ oil paintings Into the Eye of Mason and Ophelia explore the human face and form through depictions of close family and friends. 

Congratulations to both students on having their thoughtful and beautifully executed works selected for this important exhibition.

Music

JOIN OUR PAVEMENT CHOIR 

Want to start the day doing something fun with a great group of people? Then come and join the choir on Wednesdays at 8am in the Music Room. No experience is necessary. This is simply a friendly, fun and free of judgement singing opportunity, so please join us - and make your Wednesdays the best day of the week!

ENSEMBLES

Wednesdays 8am

Pavement Choir

Location: Senior Music Room

Teacher: Michelle Berner

Standard: All welcome

Wednesdays 1.05pm

Band Aid!                                                                       

Location: Senior Music Room

Teacher: Adrian Perger

Standard: All welcome

Thursdays 8am

Cello Ensemble

Location: Senior Music Room

Teacher: Karoline Kuti

Standard: Grade 6 AMEB 

Fridays 7.45am

Strings Attached

Location: Senior Music Room

Teacher: Atilla Kuti

Standard: Grade 2 + AMEB or Suzuki

Fridays 1.05pm

Guitar Nirvana

Location: Senior Music Room

Teacher: Oscar Poncell

Standard: All welcome

Preshil’s Zukermann VIII Harpsichord

You will of course have noticed it at the bottom of the grand staircase in Blackhall, but do you know the history behind it?

The single manual Flemish Ruckers harpsichord was the vision of Dr Ros Bandt, Director of Music 1977-1980. It was bought as a kit in 1978 to bring Preshil’s ethic of ‘learn by doing’ into practice, uniting both professionals and students who worked side by side to complete the project.

The instrument was assembled by the master craftsman in residence, Dickie Blackman, and assisted by student Joanne Saunders who built the entire keyboard and wrote a thesis ‘The Harpsichord Project’ for her HSC. Jean Louis Cocquillat was engaged to string and voice the instrument and the well-known local Kew painter Roy Griffiths (Max Meldrum tonal school) painted the under lid sunflower decoration to enhance the natural wood finish, making it a completely original Australian instrument - and one that would appeal to small children.

From 1978-1980 lessons were available all through the School and harpsichord teacher, Glenys March, was engaged. There was an early music climate with a cappella choir and chamber music in the upper school, performing Bach, Telemann, Purell, Morely, medieval canons and hockets. Early music ensemble days were shared with Eltham College and Geelong College, but Preshil was the only school who had built its own instrument.

Over the decades the harpsichord fell into disrepair and by 2015 was unplayable. It was restored over six months by parent, Roland Cropley, using parts supplied by Sydney expert, Carey Beebe, and is tuned to A440 to the Bach/Barnes temperament. The case is painted in Philadelphia Blue. A name board was added to protect the keyboard but instead of the four makers’ names (which is the convention) the Latin inscription Animo Ludere, meaning ‘play with spirit’ was included.

It certainly is wonderful to hear it played by students and staff as they pass though the Blackhall foyer.