Music

Jazz Under the Stars – James Morrison

As we continue to build momentum for this momentous occasion, here is some more information about the wonderful guest artist for 2024. Please continue to spread the word and encourage friends, family and members of the public to attend this wonderful event where Churchie hosts one of the great Australians of music.

In a recording career spanning three decades, James Morrison has released a huge variety of albums from gospel to big band to electronic fusion. He has been nominated for eight ARIA awards, winning in 2010 and again in 2017. In 2013, James was inducted into the Australian Jazz Hall of Fame. In 2016, his album In Good Company charted simultaneously in both the ARIA jazz and popular album charts, retaining the top spot in the jazz charts for over 20 weeks. James currently records for ABC Jazz/Universal and Fanfare Jazz and is an exclusive artist for Schagerl Instruments.

Vintage Viking lunch

Last week, the Piano Trio and Churchie’s Big Band 1 performed for the wonderful Vintage Viking Old Boys. Big Band 1 featured the recent star of the Churchie musical, Charlie Hartwright (Year 12) singing one of his favourite items, ‘Feeling good’ and Thomas Dwyer finally had his opportunity to sing ‘Come by me’ with the full force of Big Band 1 behind him. The piano trio performed the Haydn Piano Trio in C unaccompanied, as tradition expects. Congratulations to James Duffy (Year 10) who played a very significant role in keeping the trio together as the role of the pianist.

Please see below for photos and a recording of the performance at the Vintage Vikings lunch:

Manly Music Soiree

Congratulations to Alex Carson (Year 8) and Toby Pattison (Year 10), who played superbly at the inaugural Manly Music Soiree. Any opportunity to perform solo is valuable as it provides much experience, and for parents, it is a great opportunity to see and appreciate all the hard work and practice. Thank you to Rianne Wilscutt for hosting such an amazing event.

Soiree

As part of the upcoming Signature Concert Series in Term 3, all students will be performing a solo piece as part of the Soiree studio recitals. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents to see their sons perform in a warm and friendly environment as we encourage students to improve their performing skills. Please note the date, time and location of your Soiree below. You should also receive further, more detailed, communication from your tutor by the end of the term.

Churchie’s Best Solos

Churchie’s Best Solos auditions will take place in the final week of school. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain audition experience and to give yourself every opportunity to be considered for the finals. All instruments and year levels are welcome to attend. Please prepare a high-level excerpt of no more than five minutes for your audition and discuss your suitability with your teacher. Here is the link for the final opportunity to be considered:

Gala Concert: Time and Space

Think of your favourite space movie or a theme that relates to time. Chances are you will hear it and see it at the Gala Concert on 15 August 2024. Save the date for this spectacular night of themed music with an audio-visual extravaganza.

Auditions released

Next term the audition music for the 2025 ensembles will be released. Start practising and preparing your own choice repertoire in anticipation of the release.

Morris Wind Symphony Headmaster’s Assembly Performance

Congratulations to Morris Wind Symphony on your performance at Headmaster’s Assembly. This was the third iteration of ‘American barndance’ and by far the best. Much of music is about learning to deliver in performance conditions. The more experience we have through opportunity, the more comfortable and fluent we become. Students were then presented with their silver folders and a special presentation was made to Year 12 students with their years of service to the premiere ensembles written on the folder.

Please follow this link to a recording of Morris Wind Symphony at Headmaster’s Assembly.

Musician spotlight

By Henry Down, Year 12

I started my journey in Churchie Music in Year 6 when I joined Prep Band, after already having lessons for five years. Throughout my time in Senior School, I have been a part of several ensembles, including Concert Band, Jensen Winds, Morris Winds, Big Band 3, Big Band 1, Senior Percussion Ensemble, as well as the pit orchestra for the last three Churchie/Somerville Musicals. Some of my best memories would have to come from these musicals, as we got to play a diverse range of new music and build close friendships with other musicians, as well as actors and crew.

With a successful May Concert Series behind us, I look forward to the Signature Concert Series later this year, where the incredible talent of all of Churchie’s musicians will be showcased at Jazz Under the Stars, the Gala Concert, and Churchie’s Best Solos. In 2024, I hope to see more boys take accountability for learning their parts, rather than having to be told to practice in the weeks before a performance. I would also love to see more boys from outside the programme at our performances to enjoy the excellent music we have to offer.

SHEP

Congratulations to the following students on their recent participation in the State Honours Ensemble Programme (SHEP). These weekends are amazing experiences for students to advance their ensemble skills under the tutelage of some of the finest conductors in the state:

• Rémy Gaffney: vocal soprano (Magenta Vocal Ensemble)
• Archie Goodison: vocal soprano (Silver Vocal Ensemble)
• Rehan Mubarak: vocal alto (Magenta Vocal Ensemble)
• Benjamin Shepherd: vocal soprano (Magenta Vocal Ensemble)
• Zachary Stumer:  vocal soprano (Magenta Vocal Ensemble)

QYMA success

Congratulations to the Junior Prep Choir on their outstanding result last Thursday at the Queensland Youth Music Awards (QMYA) achieving third place. The choir was not the largest but certainly showed their energy and enthusiasm for singing. Congratulations are also extended to Head of Preparatory Music Mellisa Black and accompanist and Choral Coordinator Rosemary Oxenford for their preparation and direction of the group.

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music