Music

I hope all students have settled into their school routines. For many students, lessons have begun and ensemble rehearsals are in full swing. If you still haven’t been contacted by your conductor or private tutor, please make contact with the Head of Bands, Head of Strings or Choral Director.

Please make every effort to work with our exceptional teaching staff. Scheduling and room allocation are not easily flexible and while we will do our best to assist, it is a combined effort to commit to lessons in order to have the privilege of a great musical education. Lesson times are visible on myChurchie if you need to check and I’d encourage parents to read the available information on myChurchie if you have any queries. As always, we are here to help, and we look forward to a great year ahead.

GPS Music Day of Excellence

On Monday 29 January, students from Churchie participated in their first rehearsal for the GPS Music Day of Excellence. Students formed a symphony orchestra, concert band, big band and choir with other selected students from the GPS schools. Each ensemble had a guest conductor and carefully selected repertoire. From all reports, the first rehearsal was a great success and although there is plenty of work to be done, the students now have an understanding of the music and the areas for improvement. The concert will be held at BBC’s College Hall on Thursday 8 February 2024. Tickets will be available to the general public via the following link:

This is a reminder to the parents of participating students to purchase your tickets before they go live for public sale on Thursday 1 February at 5 pm.

If you would like to be considered for GPS music in the future, please talk to your teacher about sitting an appropriate AMEB grade – this is the rubric most used to select students from each of the GPS schools.

Japan Tour 2023 – Tokyo

In addition to the Japan article in the newsletter for Week 1, Churchie was able to engage the services of a professional photographer for the Tokyo leg of the journey. Below is a selection from our visit to Keio School (Japan’s 2023 National Baseball Championship School) and Churchie’s amazing public performance at Tokyo Disney Sea in front of the Christmas tree at Ikspiari Plaza. These are lifelong memories and for those eligible in 2027, start planning your journey to be a part of this amazing opportunity.

Strings and Choral 2025 Europe Music Tour

Following the success of the recent Japan tour for bands, the opportunity for strings and choral students to tour and play music at the Musikverein in Vienna is just over one year away. The chance to tour overseas with an ensemble is very rare and relies on the participation of each member to create a wonderful ensemble sound. The tour will extend to various sights and iconic locations throughout Vienna and Germany. All high-level and aspiring strings and choral students in Years 8 to 12 in 2025 are invited to attend the Music Support Group Welcome and Launch of the tour on Thursday 15 February 2024 in The Centenary Library lecture theatre at 6 pm. If you have any further inquiries, please email Head of Strings Ben Hooper or Choral Director Rosemary Oxenford. As a taste of what is to come, the video below shows the 2011 Music Festival in Vienna, in which Churchie was a participant.

Music Support Group Launch and Welcome

The Music Calendar Launch and Welcome is a wonderful opportunity for students and their parents to come along and meet other parents and students within the music community, especially if you are new to the School or in Year 7. The evening will serve as an opportunity to view slides from the recent Japan Music Tour and collect information on the next tour to Mt Gambier in 2024 and the Europe Tour in 2025. You will also receive some wonderful information on the music calendar events followed by an opportunity to share some food and drinks with the parent and student community courtesy of the Music Support Group. The event will take place in The Centenary Library lecture theatre on Thursday 15 February.

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music