Music

Young Instrumentalist Prize

In unprecedented success, Churchie placed first and second in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize. The event took place at the ABC Studios home of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in South Bank, Eric Kim (Year 11) and Gabin Won (Year 11) were two of the six finalists from across the state. Reports from Dr Rianne Wilschut (Clarinet teacher) and Katharine Willison (Bassoon teacher) described the enormity of the event within the orchestral community and the intensity of the performances, showcasing outstanding musicianship in a room where you could hear a pin drop.

Eric Kim performed Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen and Gabin Won performed Reincke’s Concerto for Flute (third movement). In an incredibly close finish, Eric Kim was awarded the eventual winner, followed closely by Gabin Won. No other school has ever achieved first and second place in this competition. The amount of work and tireless dedication from both of these students is certainly not unnoticed, and the entire school is incredibly proud of both these boys and their achievements. We look forward to seeing future performances as Eric and Gabin continue to share their virtuosity with the Churchie community.

Bands Concert

Congratulations to Jeremy Williamson on a superb start to the May Concert Series with a stellar Bands Concert featuring 5 Big Bands and 4 Concert Bands boasting over 180 students and the uniqueness of all the colourful timbres across each of the woodwind, percussion and brass families.

The Prep Band started off the concert with ‘Fanfare for an Incredibly Important Occasion’ by Adam Arnold, and that it was. This was the first Prep Band performance for 2024, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Later in the concert, we were fortunate enough to hear them again as they transformed into Big Band 5 for the traditional ‘Jammin’ with Charlie’ featuring Zac Patane (Year 10) on guitar. The Concert Band were in fine form with some virtuosic and ambitious playing of ‘Lightning’ by Todd Stalter. The clarinets, trumpets and flutes were using their fast fingers to move through quavers at ‘lightning speed’.

Jensen Winds told the story of the Great Locomotive Chase from 1862 with exceptional train imagery from the flutes and percussion section before giving the audience some beautiful respite in the program with a sensitive and warm rendition of ‘Salvation is Created’ featuring the warmth and fundamental sound of Benji Watson on Tuba. Morris Winds took the audience on a journey to the east with ‘Arabian Dances’ by Brian Balmages, featuring the Darbukas from Henry Down (Year 12) and Dimitri Karanicolas (Year 12) and the rest of the percussion section as well as some dramatic and unique Arabian melodies using the maqam scale. The second half featured the Big Bands with Big Band 4 rocking out the audience to the tune of ‘Smoke on the Water’ and ‘Gimme Some Lovin’, followed by Big Band 3 who swung the house down with ‘Caldonia’ and ‘Struttin’ with Some Barbeque’.

Big Band 2 played ‘A Mi Papa’ by Matt Morey in what was the only Latin performance of the night featuring a strong mambo groove from Clancy Wardle (Year 11) and Tom Patterson (Year 12) in the rhythm section and finally Big Band 1 paid homage to the great Duke Ellington with their rendition of ‘Solid Old Man‘ featuring a huge solo from Hunter Luostarinen (Year 9) on trombone along with Daniel Batchelor (Year 12) also on trombone. In what was an epic finale, Big Band 1 played one of their favourite tunes, ‘Birdland’, featuring a classy and bluesy tenor saxophone solo from William Dique (Year 12) and some audience participation to bring to a conclusion an amazing night of music. Thanks to the 400-plus audience members who attended and the full mezzanine of students who all supported the amazing performances. Your impact as an audience member is inestimable for all the musicians as they continue their journey.

Please follow these links to the recordings from tonight:

Symphonic Winds

Big Bands

Generations In Jazz

On 3 May 2024, members from Big Bands 1 and 2, and Viking Vocals 1 and 2 combined to represent Churchie at the National Stage Band and ANZ Vocal Championships in Mount Gambier as part of the Generations in Jazz festival. Due to the ball being held on the same weekend, many of the Year 12s were not able to attend.

The younger members of the choral groups and bands rose to the challenge to provide a full and competitive compliment at the festival. Both groups played extremely well after having such a short preparation (only 25 minutes of rehearsal for five weeks) due to the hybrid nature of the touring ensemble. Luka Roberts (Year 11) was named as the lead trumpet in the GIJ Superband and Zac Patane (Year 10) was also selected on guitar in the GIJ Superband. Big Band 1.5, as they are affectionally known, placed third in the highest ensemble participation division and Viking Vocals placed 13th. The feedback from the adjudicators was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, with an overarching challenge from the adjudicator to be more consistent across all the pieces.

Thank you to Rosemary Oxenford and Paul Kriesch for dedicating their weekends to the students and for their extra work in preparing the music. Most pleasing is the amount of improvement that all students made but perhaps of most paramount importance is the way in which the students represented the school in public. This was a national event in which Churchie was announced three times over the loudspeaker but it is always the way in which each student holds themselves throughout their time in the public eye that leaves an indelible mark. Well done everyone, and we look forward to next year’s event with aspiration!

Please follow this link to recordings of Big Band 1.5 at Generations in Jazz:

Upcoming events

Big Band 1 will be performing at the Jazz Club on 15 May 2024 at 6 pm at BEMAC. Chamber Strings 1 will be performing at the wonderful St Peter’s Concert Hall as part of the QYMA Festival on 16 May 2024 and Morris Winds will be performing at the QYMA festival in the same concert Hall on 15 May 2024. Please come along and support the students during this competitive experience.  

In the remaining weeks of May, we will see the Choral Concert and also, the Strings and Guitar Concert. Please invite your friends, family and any other guests along to enjoy a night of wonderful music that reflects the hard work of these ensembles across two terms.

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music