Music

Special Guest Darren Percival at Headmaster’s Assembly

Last Thursday, the amazing Darren Percival graced the stage to lead the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ on Assembly, proving that great men sing with pride and integrity. It was wonderful to see the school respond and follow Darren’s lead. After this, Darren performed a preview of what is to come at Jazz Under the Stars with a rendition of Harry Connick Jr’s ‘Come By Me’ in front of Big Band 1. This was a great experience for the students and the staff, let alone the Big Band 1 members who were fortunate enough to share the stage with the great Darren Percival. A recording of the performance can be heard below, with Darren encouraging the boys to sing in call and response during a unique assembly:

Please follow this link to a recording of Big Band 1 playing ‘Come By Me’ on Headmaster’s Assembly:

Audition music

Audition music for 2025 ensembles is now available on myChurchie. Please take the time to consult your tutor about the best excerpt to perform and the best selection for your own choice. You may wish to use your soiree piece and dedicate your time to perfecting the excerpt. Your tutor will also be able to assist you with any other questions about the process. Upload recordings are due by the end of Week 7 to allow for new ensembles to begin in Term 4 2024. If you are successful in your audition for a premier ensemble, you will be expected to attend Music Camp from 18 to 20 October 2024, so please save the date.

Soiree

Over 400 students performed solo across three days from 15 to 17 July 2024 in various locations including the Chapel, Jensen, and School House. The students all worked incredibly hard to perform their pieces, preparing them to be at their best for the Signature Concert Series ahead. Performing solo takes courage and prepares us for many life skills. Although preparation will always minimise errors on the day, there will inevitably be some learning from the experience, and each time you perform solo you become more comfortable and ultimately better at your instrument. The soiree creates a warm and encouraging environment. It was particularly pleasing to see such great peer support and lovely to hear some chamber groups perform, as well as some of the staff playing in duets or even solo.

Churchie singers perform at Brisbane Jazz Club

Students Charlie Hartwright and Alex Ma performed at the Brisbane Jazz Club as part of the club’s Voices of Tomorrow programme. Voices of Tomorrow is designed for jazz singers under the age of 18 to bridge the gap between their school and professional performances. After playing lead roles in the recent school musical, these boys are continuing their musical development by performing solo pieces unrehearsed with professional jazz musicians. The Voices of Tomorrow programme is open to all budding singers.

Churchie’s Best Solos

At the culmination of all students in Years 7 to 12 performing solo, Churchie’s top 10 soloists took to the stage to perform in an extraordinary concert. Among the student accolades on display were three LMusA, two AMusA, Australian Youth Orchestra, and Queensland Youth Symphony representation, along with recent National Stage Band and Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Prize award winners. Guest adjudicator Mr Simon Hewett (Director of Music at Queensland Youth Orchestras) was very impressed with the talent on display and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. He spent a lengthy period of time after the concert discussing feedback and suggestions for improvement with each of the students, further reinforcing the educational nature of this concert and that although there is only one winner, the holistic nature of an evening of music is where the true success of the evening lies. Mr Hewett gave three special commendations: Luka Roberts (Year 11) for his technically demanding performance of Slavische Fantasy by Carl Höhne; Charlie Hartwright (Year 12) for his engaging and heartfelt recital of ‘Being Alive’ by Stephen Sondheim; and Eric Kim (Year 11) for his virtuosic and passionate rendition of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole (5th Movement). Competitions and placing can come down to very small increments, and although the standard was so high this year, there was a feeling of consensus with the adjudicator’s decision to award Gabin Won (Year 11) as Churchie’s Best Soloist for 2024. Gabin has had an immense year, finishing second in the Queensland Young Instrumentalists Award, and he delivered a confident and persuasive performance that connected the celebratory qualities of Reinecke’s Concerto for Flute (third movement) with the audience in a most memorable performance. Thank you to all the students, staff, and parents who attended this auspicious occasion. Please take some time to see and hear the wonderful performances below:

Please follow this link to a recording of all soloists from Churchie’s Best Solos:

Jazzin Up the Mall

On Sunday 21 July 2024, Churchie’s premier ensembles took to the stage at the heart of Brisbane city to perform on the Queen Street Mall main stage. Symphony Orchestra delighted the audience with a very passionate recital of ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets. The amazing Chamber Strings 1 brought some home-grown talent to the stage with an uplifting rendition of Percy Grainger’s ‘Mock Morris’. Following this, Morris Wind Symphony showed the fullness of their sound with a sneak preview of their Time and Space repertoire for Gala, including the main theme from Back to the Future. Charlie Hartwright then took to the stage to perform Harry Connick Jr.’s ‘Come By Me’ after being inspired by Darren Percival’s rendition with Big Band 1 on Assembly earlier in the week. The band really lifted with Luka Roberts delivering some relentless high-note trumpet playing at the end of the Big Band 1 set. Viking Vocals 1 were testing out their Jazz Under the Stars repertoire with an arrangement of the famous jazz standard ‘Have You Met Miss Jones’, based on the Robbie Williams Big Band arrangement. The finale ended with the amazing Senior Voices, singing ‘Set Me Free’ by Paul Jarman and David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ as part of their Gala program. Below is a video of ‘Life Could be a Dream’ performed by Viking Vocals 1: 

Jazz Under the Stars: James Morrison

We are excited to announce that tickets for Jazz Under the Stars featuring James Morrison and Darren Percival have sold out. Thank you for your support of Churchie Music. We look forward to seeing you at Main Oval for an evening of great music and food.

Please take a moment to view the Jazz Under the Stars promotional video below:

Gala

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.

Bohdan Davison
Director of Music