Music

Music Festival Season

As we approach the Winter season, students on the Junior Campus and Senior Campus will be honing their musical skills and preparing a wide range of repertoire in readiness for the Junior Music Festival (August), Senior Music Festival (June) and HICES Music Festival (August). We welcome the School community to be part of these wonderful concerts, so please place the dates into your diaries, as listed on Redlands Pulse. 

Senior Music Festival – Bach to the Beatles

Redlands has the pleasure in announcing the annual Senior Music Festival Bach to the Beatles, a concert showcasing the talents of various soloists, instrumental and choral ensembles. As a thematic feature of the 2018 Senior Music Festival, students have been exploring the melodious and harmonious music of The Beatles. With Popular Music of the 1960s representing new and exciting sounds, undoubtedly, The Beatles were innovators in changing the face of Rock Music, producing music that was not only influential within its industry but was also a cultural driving force for social change. As a traditional conclusion to the Festival, all students in the Music program will perform as part of the Yr 12 Finale in a massed performance, presenting various well-loved Beatles tunes through song and dance. Tickets go on sale this Monday 7 May (Week 2) through www.theconcourse.com.au

  • Gold $50
  • Adult $40
  • Junior/Pension/Student/Unemployed $30
  • Family (2 adults, 2 children) $110
Junior and Senior Piano Competition – entries close Wednesday 9 May

Auditions dates are on Redlands Pulse. Audition forms can be collected from the Music Offices or downloaded from Redlands Pulse. The audition process will require students to demonstrate advanced technical skills, personal expression and understanding of style. It is expected that students present works demonstrating a high standard of musical competency. Please note only one piece is required for the audition with the second contrasting piece listed on the application form.

Senior Campus

Anzac Day Service

In commemorating Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations, the Advanced Concert Band and Choir presented the music elements at the ANZAC Day Service on Tuesday 1 May. This Service was held in Dunnet Hall and featured a work titled Proud Echoes, composed and conducted by our Redlands Conductor, Mr Phillip Anderson. Written to commemorate the loss of HMAS PERTH in the Battle of Sunda Strait, 1942, this work featured the actual bugle that was dedicated to Able Seaman Jim Nelson, HMAS Perth’s first bugler. As part of his duties, while playing the Last Post and Reveille during thirteen sea burials of his shipmates after enemy attack in the Mediterranean, Jim Nelson recalls:

‘As the bodies were committed to the sea, I had to sound the Last Post and Reveille. When the Chaplain nodded to me to sound off I was overcome with emotion, my lips went dry and for a moment I could not raise a note. I closed my eyes and by mind transportation took myself away from the ship and played as if I were back in harbour at a routine Sunset. I played as I had never played before. Every feeling in my body went through that instrument. I made the strident bugle tones as mellow and sweet as I could and lost myself in the production. I am only nineteen years old!  What is expected of me? How much more can I give?’

The actual bugle dedicated to the life of Able Seaman Jim Nelson, who passed away in 1945, was borrowed from the Royal Australian Navy for this particular event and was played by Mr Jon Gray, making this a very special moment during the times of musical reflection. Thank you to all staff and students for their wonderful contributions to commence the school term and in honouring the lives of all Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Senior Music Festival Auditions – Bach to the Beatles

Auditions are open to Yr 11 and 12 students who participate in both academic Music classes and the Cocurricular Music Ensembles program. The Senior Music Festival will be presenting a diverse range of repertoire including Johan Sebastian Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and a wide selection of music from The Beatles, while exploring various styles of music from Chamber through to Contemporary contexts. While students will have the opportunity to present repertoire from their Higher School Certificate or International Baccalaureate Performance Portfolio, there may also be the opportunity to be considered for various solo opportunities that feature within larger ensemble works. Audition forms and Information Packs are available from Senior Music Reception.

Secondary Campus Ensemble Attendance

Students are reminded about the importance of regular attendance to all Music Ensemble rehearsals and in meeting goals set at the start of the year in reaching a high standard of performance excellence. Morning rehearsals commence at 7.15am and students should be moving to rehearsal rooms by 7.10am. Absence due to camp and/or illness will be the only accepted reason for non-attendance. It is essential that parents contact seniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au if their child is unable to attend any rehearsals. 

Junior Campus

RedFactor

Everyone in the Junior School celebrated the end of Term 1 with our annual RedFactor Showcase. Congratulations to all performers who rehearsed and presented their acts with passion and professionalism. Hallie Hunt and Xander Mullin as Arts Captains did a brilliant job of compering the show, supporting each performer, keeping the audience engaged and thanking all students who earned House points by auditioning. Thank you to our sound, facilities, stage management teams. Particular thanks to Ms Snooks, Ms Cleary, Ms Nagel and Ms Cosolito for contributing their time and enthusiasm in supporting the students throughout the audition and rehearsal process, and to Mr Castelli for his superb overseeing of this event, supported administratively by Mrs McGlade. More photos can be found on Redlands Pulse.

Junior Campus Music Ensembles

For ensembles that rehearse before school, please be reminded that there is no supervision for students prior to 7.10am. Please ensure that students are not left unsupervised by parents outside the Parkes Building before this time. Supervision for Preparatory Choir is provided from 7.40am.

MIP (Music Instrumental Program) Reminder

All students in Yrs 4 and 5 MIP are expected to complete a minimum of three individual practices at home each week. Please contact  juniormusic@redlands.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the MIP program.

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