Music

Introducing Captain of Music James Aralar

As we approach our first concert season in Term 2, we would like to introduce the 2024 Captain of Music James Aralar. Here is James’s musical journey so far at Churchie:

I made my first venture into Churchie music in Year 1, learning the cello with Mr Jamieson, making 2024 my 12th consecutive year having lessons with him. As part of the Grade 5 immersion programme, I began learning the oboe and played in the Prep Band, Concert Band, Jensen Winds and Symphony Orchestra until Year 9. I then began learning jazz piano. I played in Big Band 2 in Year 10 and have been in Big Band 1 since Year 11. The cello has remained my main instrument throughout my school life, and I have enjoyed playing in Chamber Strings, the Symphony Orchestra and in the pit band for two school musicals.

It would be hard to choose a favourite memory from my time in Churchie music, but one that stands out is the Japan tour last November. The tour immersed us in the local culture and provided an incredible number of enjoyable experiences, such as visiting the Golden Temple, discovering J-pop and performing at Tokyo Disneyland.

This year, I’m looking forward to playing at Stringsfest at BGS next week and with Big Band 1 at Jazz Under the Stars. A new event I am also looking forward to playing in Churchie’s Best Solos, an event I haven’t yet taken part in.

In 2024 I want to be more involved with the younger boys through mentoring and spending time after school in their ensemble rehearsals. I’d also love to see more boys outside of the music programme coming along to performances and appreciating the effort put in by the students across all the ensembles.

James Aralar

James Duffy – Headmaster’s Assembly performance

Congratulations to James Duffy who played a beautiful and playful excerpt of the Poulenc Sonata for flute.

Please follow this link to the audio recording of James’ performance at Headmaster’s Assembly:

Stringsfest – Wednesday 6 March 2024

Next Wednesday the musicians of Chamber Strings 1 will share the stage with Brisbane’s best string schools and their top chamber string ensembles. It is an honour in itself to be invited to perform at this event and many of the members will also be participating in the Festival String Orchestra, which is a collaboration of the best string players from each school, performing high-level works such as ‘ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’ by R Vaughan Williams. We wish the members of Chamber Strings 1 all the best for this amazing performance. The concert will begin at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall at Brisbane Grammar School, and we encourage you to buy tickets if you wish to support Chamber Strings 1. Please click here to purchase tickets:

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music