Music
Daniel Batchelor – Co-Captain of Bands
There is a saying in music that ‘people often hear with their eyes’ and after viewing the Big Band 1 performance last Thursday at Headmaster’s Assembly, there would be no better epitome of this than Co-captain of Bands Daniel Batchelor. Please take the time to read more about his journey through the Churchie ensembles below and you can also watch Big Band 1’s performance:
I joined Churchie in 2021 in Year 9 where I joined the music department as soon as I could, joining Morris Wind Symphony and Big Band 2, and later Big Band 1. The friendships and enjoyment I got from Churchie music drew me to take on more and more additional commitments and bands, ranging from Twisted Metal and Drumline, from the 2023 Japan Music Tour and the Pit Band for the Singing in the Rain Musical in 2022. Being a part of these ensembles has allowed me to build close relationships with fellow musicians and to learn new and important skills. It is these skills that I find as key reasons why more students should pick up an instrument.
Daniel Batchelor
As the May concert series draws near, I and my fellow musicians look forward in anticipation to those truly memorable performances. No performance is made excellent by a lack of dedication, reliability, and hard work towards the difficult music, which is why this year I aim to catalyse a strengthening of positive behaviours in the rehearsal room and music program. I look forward to continuing the mentor program by senior musicians for prep and concert band students, alongside a reform targeting tardiness in the rehearsal room.
Queensland Youth Symphony
A huge congratulations to Hunter Luostarinen (Year 9) and Luka Roberts (Year 11) who will be performing with QYS on Saturday 16 March 7 pm, at the QCGU Conservatorium Theatre. Queensland Youth Symphony is the highest honour for any orchestral musician in the state up to the age of 25. For Luka and Hunter to be a part of this orchestra at such a young age, is an impressive achievement in itself. The programme will feature the impressive Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 as well as the Elgar Cello Concerto. If you would like to purchase tickets in support of our Churchie musicians, please use the following link here.
John Law and Gabin Won
Congratulations to Year 10 student John Law (AmusA Piano) and Year 11 student Gabin Won (LMusA Flute), who were both awarded their diplomas from the Australian Music Examinations Board last week. These are significant achievements for students of such a young age and they can now use these diplomas as letters next to their name.
Stringsfest
Well done to the members of Chamber Strings 1, who played with finesse at Stringsfest last Wednesday. The executive member of Brisbane Grammar School said it was hard to believe that they were only of school age with such fine musicianship. Once again, Eric Kim played ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ with great emotion and Mock Morris was the best performance of this repertoire to date. The massed Stringsfest Orchestra of more than 100 students playing Vaughn Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis was a sight to behold. Congratulations to all of the Chamber Strings 1 members who were involved.
May Concert Series
A reminder to save the date for the upcoming May Concert Series in Term 2. Students have been practising for over two terms for their first performance of the year. Please take some time to review the video below:
Bohdan Davison
Director of Music