Music

HICES Music Festival

This past week, a number of Yrs 7-10 Secondary School musicians participated in the annual HICES Music Festival. After completing a thorough audition process last term, these students were invited to participate in this three day intensive Music Camp held at Stanwell Tops, and prepared a range of repertoire as part of the inspiring Festival Concert, held at The Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday night.

This year marked the 30 year celebration of the HICES Music Festival and specific commissioned Choral and Orchestral works were presented during the concert, in acknowledging this significant milestone for the Heads of Independent Coeducation Schools affiliation. Since 1988, the HICES Music Festival has provided an outstanding opportunity for young musicians in HICES schools to gather and experience musical excellence. Under the direction of many well-respected conductors, the Festival this year involved over 400 students and staff from the HICES Schools Association, in rehearsing a broad selection of repertoire across various music ensembles. As part of the Festival this year, all participants had the privilege to work in association with internationally acclaimed Choral and Orchestral Conductor, Mr Paul Jarman, a well-known and respected Australian composer. As a collaborative music-making experience, students and staff performed together as part of the finale, presenting one of Mr Jarman’s commissioned works for massed choir and orchestra. Based on the powerful Victorian poem Invictus, by English poet William Ernest Henley, the text set to music sent a powerful message of hope which speaks about never losing hope no matter the circumstance.

The Festival has certainly inspired and enriched the lives of the Redlands students involved, who throughout the event, were outstanding participants from our school, demonstrating exceptional dedication and respect in all rehearsals and activities. Callum Warman-Browne assisted in compéring for this evening, a perfect representative and eloquent speaker as part this prestigious HICES event. Represented in six ensembles, inclusive of the Vocal Ensemble, String Orchestra, String Ensemble, Concert Band Symphonic Winds and Honour Choir, the learning experiences have been invaluable for our Redlands musicians who were challenged with difficult repertoire that extended their technical skills and broadened their understanding of style. The Music Department would like to acknowledge the following students for their excellence as Redlands representatives at this year’s event.

Vocal Ensemble Phoebe Barnett, Carmen Brisson, Olivia Donoghue, Yelena Ganter, Maddie Hunt, Poppy Justice, Tess Malycon, Georgia Verschoor
Symphony Winds Eden Borrie (Flute)
Concert Band Piper Allen (Alto Saxophone), Brianna Irvine (Alto Saxophone), Jack Lazzarotto (Flute), Hadley Wintle (Alto Saxophone)
String Ensemble Sophia Justice (Cello)
String Orchestra Cara Eccleston (Cello)
Honour Choir Jasmine Hill, Callum Wardman-Browne

Music Awards Dinner – Bookings Closed

We look forward to listening to all the wonderful performances of the following ensembles: Stage Band, Intermediate Jazz Band, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, SSA Yr 7-9 Girls Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Extension Chamber Extension, Clarinet Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble and Guitar Ensembles.

Music Centre Opening

Week of Celebrations

In celebrating the official opening of the new Music Centre, the department will be presenting a series of performances from Monday 27 August through to Monday 3 September. This will consist of various concerts before school, during lunchtimes and after school, in providing the wider school community with the opportunity to listen to a broad selection of repertoire in the new Music performance venue. The schedule can be found here.

Senior Campus

Vocal Competition Monday 24 September (Week 9)

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as finalists of the 2018 Vocal Competition. The Music Department would like to commend all students who auditioned as part of this process. Although we do not provide individual feedback after auditions, the panel has prepared general points for consideration for preparation of future auditions and in continuing to develop important skills as young singers. In presenting for an audition, students are required to:

Demonstrate a breadth of abilities inclusive of vocal agility and range that complements their current level of skill and technique
Explore contrasting styles of music
Display clarity and vibrancy of tone
Demonstrate absolute security of pitch across all vocal registers
Apply appropriate musical expression and consider communication with the audience.

Finalists
Division 1 (Yrs 7 and 8) Kyle Banfield, Phoebe Barnett, Helena Dracakis, Poppy Justice, Mia Kloiser-Jones, Callum Wardman-Browne
Division 2 (Yrs 9 and 10) Maddie Hunt, Jackson Low, Tobias Page, Kira Prado, Aysha Swanson, Bethany Richardson
Division 3 (Yrs 11 and 12) Rebecca Burchett, Stella Everett, Charlotte Everingham, Patrick Friedlander, Poppi Kent, Nono Nakamura, Erin Pacholke, Matilda Rose Williams

Spring Fair

Yrs 7-12 Rock Band Performances

With the Spring Fair fast approaching on Saturday 15 September, the Redlands Rock program (Yrs 5-12) will be showcasing their music talents at this event. The schedule of performers will be published in Week 5.

Instrumental Competition Auditions (Week 8)

The audition process will require instrumentalists (Yrs 7-12) to demonstrate advanced technical skills, personal expression and understanding of style. For the audition, students will only need to present one work. A second contrasting piece will need to be listed and considered at the time of the audition as part of a discussion with the audition panel. This piece will not be required to be presented at the time of the audition but will need to be prepared and presented in advance of the Competition if the candidate is selected as a finalist. Copies of piano accompaniment scores must be submitted to Music Reception at the time of the application submission.

Junior Music

Grandparents Day Friday 17 August

The Music Department would like to acknowledge the superb work of our Junior Campus Music teachers who presented two beautifully crafted music concerts last week in celebrating the important role of grandparents in the lives of our students. As commented by Head of Early Childhood, Mrs Audrey Fellowes, “…all the children performed so beautifully…I loved catching a glimpse of the crowd from time to time throughout the performance; their joy was evident…”.

Musicianship Classes

Students who are currently learning an instrument and who would like to further extend their knowledge of Music Theory are encouraged to join the Musicianship class on Tuesday mornings (7.30-8.15am).

Spring Fair

Yrs 5-6 Rock Band Performance

Mr Darren Kuilenburg
Coordinator of Music
seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9820