This term we welcomed back Mr Chris Balkizas from long service leave in Europe following a successful Music tour to Europe at the end of Term 3. As usual we have been busy with a number of concerts and recitals this term and all students and staff are looking forward to the Christmas break.
Two studio concerts were held during week 2. The trumpet students of Mr Pierre Scala performed on the Tuesday evening and a piano recital with a Russian focus was presented by the students of Mrs Agnes Kren and Mr David Grisdale during lunchtime on the Wednesday. Thank you to the teachers for preparing the students so thoroughly and thank you to the students for the entertaining performances.
The third annual ‘Festival of Bands’ was held at the end of the second week and was a spectacular success. The Waterford, Matthew Coorey and Cliff Goodchild Concert Bands were featured and the special guests included the Fire and Rescue NSW Band and Precision Drill Marching Team, led by Mark Reay, Musical Director.
Remi Defina-Sperando and Oliver Ruse, Music Captains for 2019, were the Masters of Ceremony for the evening. At the end of the evening the Fire and Rescue Band combined with the Cliff Goodchild Band to perform ‘The Thunderer’ by J.P. Sousa culminating in a thunderous applause from the audience!
Congratulations to the Year 9 Music students who performed at a recital in week 4. They presented a varied and polished program for their parents, friends and teachers. It was very pleasing to see how they had developed on their instrument over the year.
The Waterford Music Festival was held last Thursday evening and showcased the wonderful work being done with the music ensembles in Years 5 and 6. Performances were given by the Beginner and Waterford Bands, Junior Guitar Ensemble, Cantores, Stomp and Wakakirri. The evening also featured solo performances from Fox Stapelton (Voice), Thomas Crossin (Piano) and Jamie Vanderkemp (Guitar). Thank you to Mrs Rollins who coordinated the evening and prepared ensembles along with Mr Dan Williams, Mrs Susannah Pinter and Mr Chris Balkizas. Special thanks also to Mr Chris Blenkinsopp and his two able bodied helpers Alistair Isaac and Hugh McDonald who were stage managers for the evening.
Congratulations to Dominic Augoustis and Morgan Hall whose HSC Music performances were nominated for Encore last term. They have recently recorded their HSC programs and submitted them to NESA for the final cut. We wish these students the best of luck and hope to see them at the Encore concert at the Opera House early next year!
Presentation Day is fast approaching and as well as the presentation of Academic Awards there will be performances from the Brass Ensemble, Cliff Goodchild Concert Band, Junior and Senior Jazz Bands and the Cantores. Rehearsals will therefore continue until the final week of school.
Finally, as this is the last ‘Music Notes’ for 2018, a huge thank you to Mrs Keiran Kossenberg for all her organisation, assistance and support throughout the year and to Mrs Audrey Coupe for all her help on the Waterford Campus. Thank you also to Claudine Tinellis as the President of the Music Supporters and to the wonderful parents who have given so generously of their time to assist with the barbeque and kitchen at all the Music events throughout 2018. In conclusion we would love to see you all at the ROCK BAND Festival next Friday afternoon, 30 November!
Private Music Tuition
Students wishing to take up instrumental lessons will need to complete the following form: Private Music Tuition Form: Click on the link: https://waverleycollege.wufoo.com/forms/mw55gxf11vzr5e
Please advise in writing before 3 December if a student wishes to cease lessons at the end of Term 4 2018 to kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
If you would like to follow the Music Faculty on instagram please follow: wavcol_music
The past few weeks have been very hectic for both staff and students in the Music Faculty.
AMEB Examinations
Congratulations to the following students on their excellent results in the recent AMEB Woodwind and Brass examinations:
| Harrison Gippel | Year 8 | Grade 4 | Clarinet | Honours |
| Liam Russell | Year 7 | Grade 4 | Clarinet | Credit |
| Alistair Isaac | Year 7 | Grade 3 | Clarinet | Credit |
| Harrison Palmer | Year 9 | Grade 3 | Trumpet | Credit |
| Henry Kidd | Year 6 | Grade 2 | Saxophone | Credit |
| Campbell McCarthy | Year 6 | Grade 2 | Flute | Credit |
| James Nestor | Year 6 | Grade 1 | Trombone | Honours |
| Mark Rede | Year 5 | Grade 1 | Baritone Horn | Honours |
| James Birbas | Year 6 | Grade 1 | Trombone | Credit |
| Jeremy Jos-Rolland | Year 6 | Grade 1 | Trombone | Credit |
Thank you to Mrs Pinter, Mr Jamie McCarthy, Mr Alexander Lee and Mr Toby Armstrong for preparing the students so thoroughly for the exams.
Performances
Awards
The following student received awards for their commitment to Music ensembles at the recent Sport and Co-Curricular Assembly:
Cliff Goodchild Band – Remi Defina-Sperando
Matthew Coorey Band – Alistair Isaac
Senior Jazz Band – Oliver Ruse
Junior Jazz Band – Guy Hammerschmidt
College Choir – Damian Lin
GuitarEnsemble – Dylan Purbrik
A joint musical performance of Guys & Dolls by Waverley College and St Clare’s College will be held in May 2019.
Students interested in being a part of the musical are encouraged to come along to the screening of the movie.
Information will be available on the afternoon of the screening and those wishing to be part of the musical are encouraged to come along and register their interest.
WHERE: Waverley College, Performing Arts Centre Theatre
DATE: Wednesday, 5 September 2018
TIME: 3.25pm to 5.30pm
Thank you to the members of the College Choir and Tour Choir who enhanced the Mass with their beautiful singing on the Feast of the Assumption. Thank you also to Mrs Michelle Rollins who accompanied the Choir.
Congratulations to the Year 12 HSC Music students who performed at a recital last week in preparation for their Trial and HSC performance examination. The boys presented a wide variety of repertoire and performed skilfully and enthusiastically. The students were supported by the attendance of Mr Graham Leddie and Mrs Elizabeth Watson along with their parents and friends.
Waverley College Junior and Senior School Ensembles perform at a variety of events both at school and outside of school. To perform efficiently and confidently student must be committed to rehearsals.
Thursday, August 23 – Paul Peipman, Guitar Concert 5.30 pm
Sunday, August 26 – Annual NSW School Band Festival, performing: Waterford Concert Band
Sunday, September 2 – Annual NSW School Band Festival, performing: Matthew Coorey Concert Band
Wednesday, September 5 – Year 11 , Music 1 and 2, Recital, 5.00 pm – Change of date due to Cadet Unit Bivouac
Music ensembles have recommenced for Term 3 and rehearsals are well underway. A reminder for all students that rehearsals commence promptly at 7.30am or 3.30pm depending on the ensemble. Please be organised and ready on time!
Wednesday, August 15 – Mass for the Feast of the Assumption
Thursday, August 16 – HSC Music Recital, PAC 5.30pm
Thursday, August 23 – Paul Peipman Studio Concert (Guitar), 5.30 pm
Sunday, August 26 – Annual NSW School Band Festival – Waterford Concert Band performing, 3.00pm
Monday, August 27 – Year 11 , Music 1 and 2, Recital, 5.00 pm
Sunday, September 2 – Annual NSW School Band Festival – Matthew Coorey Concert Band performing, 9.45am
Private music tuition is available in a range of instruments. Students electing to have private music lessons must do so for a minimum of six months (one semester). The tuition fee per lesson is $45.00 and there is an additional charge for the use of a College Instrument. Parents need to complete the following form for students wishing to take up instrumental lessons:
Any students interested in joining the Rock Band need to complete the Private Music Tuition Form. We also have spaces available this Term for students looking to take lessons in Bass Guitar and join our ensembles, please come and speak to the Music staff.
Parents of students wishing to cease lessons at the end of the Semester must notify Mrs Kossenberg in the Music Faculty by email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au prior to the end of Term.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure he attends his music lesson. Teachers will issue a full term’s lesson timetable at the beginning of each term. This enables students to have prior knowledge of their commitment to private music lessons. For senior school students, lesson timetables will also be shared with the student on Google Drive. In the event of a student or teacher absence, excursion or examination commitments, the following guidelines apply:
Student Absence
A student will forfeit the lesson if the tutor has not been given at least 24 hours notice of an absence. Make up lessons can only be provided when 24 hours notice has been given.
Excursions, Examinations, Class Tests
A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to reschedule a lesson. A student’s failure to notify the Tutor will incur the cost of the cancelled lesson.
The recent Music tour to Europe was a wonderful experience for staff and students alike. Mr Chris Balkizas, Mrs Anne Fahy, Mrs Michelle Rollins, Mrs Susannah Pinter and Mr Peter Frost along with 38 students, travelled to Austria and Italy during the first two weeks of the school holidays.
The tour provided an outstanding opportunity for the students to showcase and develop their musical talents. There were both secular and religious performances in a variety of venues, including an outdoor performance in Hungary, a combined performance with a local school at St. Gilgen (just out of Salzburg), and the singing of the Mass in the Votivkirche, Vienna and The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua.
As well as performances the boys participated on a Choral workshop in Vienna and a Yodelling class in Salzburg! The latter causing much laughter and hilarity.
The Sightseeing was amazing and included city walks, a cemetery where Beethoven and other famous composers were buried, Melk Abbey, Mozart’s house in Salzburg, the Doge Palace in Venice, the Stradivarius Violin Museum in Cremona, and La Scala in Milan. The boys also visited Mauthausen Concentration camp as part of the Social Justice program.
All in all it was a most successful and enjoyable tour. Congratulations to the boys on their performances, enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour.
Private Music Lessons
Private music tuition is available in a range of instruments. Students electing to have private music lessons must do so for a minimum of six months (one semester). The tuition fee per lesson is $45.00 and there is an additional charge for the use of a College Instrument. Parents need to complete the following form for students wishing to take up instrumental lessons:
Private Music Tuition Form:
https://waverleycollege.wufoo. eu/forms/music-tuition-fee-sch edule-2018/
Parents of students wishing to cease lessons at the end of the Semester must notify Mrs Kossenberg in the Music Faculty by email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au prior to the end of Term.
Congratulations to the Music staff and students on the ‘Waverley College Showcase Concert’ held on Friday 25 May. It was a great success, musically and socially. Over two hundred students from years 5 to 12 were involved and wowed the audience with their performances.
The evening was hosted by Damian Lin (Music Captain) and Dominic Augoustis (College Vice Captain). They acquitted themselves admirably, presenting the items and entertaining the audience.
There were a large number of items, ranging from solo saxophone, guitar ensemble, rock band to various choirs and bands. The performances displayed a wide range of musical styles from classical and jazz to rock and contemporary art music.
Thank you to the large number of parents who gave of their time to assist with the barbeque, preparing the supper and serving at the bar, and also to those who donated generously to the silent auctions. Special mention must be made of Keiran Kossenberg, Claudine Tinellis, Paula Tsaousis, Veronica Giordano and Monique Pizzol who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for several weeks.
The evening was a great success and we look forward to the Farewell Concert for the European Music Tour on June 22.
Private Music Lessons
Private music tuition is available in a range of instruments. Students electing to have private music lessons must do so for a minimum of six months (one semester). The tuition fee per lesson is $45.00 and there is an additional charge for the use of a College Instrument. Parents need to complete the following form for students wishing to take up instrumental lessons:
Private Music Tuition Form:
Click on the link below
https://waverleycollege.wufoo. eu/forms/music-tuition-fee-sch edule-2018/
Parents of students wishing to cease lessons at the end of the Semester must notify Mrs Kossenberg in the Music Faculty by email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au prior to the end of Term 2.
Matthew Coorey Band
The Matthew Coorey Concert Band is one of the performing ensembles of the Waverley College Band Program. Rehearsals take place every Thursday after school in the Recital Room from 3:30pm until 5:00 pm. All students who have commenced lessons this year in Year 7 and 8 are welcome to join.
Coming Events
Friday 22 June 2018 – 6.00pm Tour Farewell Concert
Congratulations to Mr Chris Blenkinsopp and the Cadet Band and many Old Boy musicians on their sterling efforts in the Annual Sydney Anzac Day March. The College Cadet Band has been a regular participant in the March for a number of decades.
Remi Defina Sperando performed with the Sydney Youth Orchestra’s Symphonic Wind Orchestra at the traditional Anzac Day League match between Easts Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons. They performed outside the stadium for the crowds attending the match and were very well received and also inside the stadium during the trophy presentation as the Light Horse Brigade and other members of the Defence Forces entered. Well Done Remi!
Sam Tsaousis did a wonderful job performing at the Anzac Day Ceremony at St. Clare’s on the first day of Term 2. He performed the traditional ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’, a daunting task for a soloist, in front of the whole school.
Thank you to the members of the Music Staff, College Choir and Brass Ensemble for their involvement in enhancing the Liturgy at the Annual May Procession. A number of people were very complimentary and appreciative of their efforts.
Music Showcase Concert – 25 May 2018
The Music Concert will showcase the abundant talent of our students in vocal, brass, strings, elective music and ensemble performances. Hot food and beverages will be available for purchase from 6.00pm. There will be a raffle and a silent auction with a range of wonderful prizes to be won. Fundraising from the evening will benefit our young musicians in further performances both at school and beyond.
Ticket prices: Adult: $20.00 Pensioner/Child: $15.00 Performers DO NOT require a ticket. Tickets for this event sell very quickly so please organise your tickets ASAP. Tickets are available for purchase through the TryBooking Website
The next Sunday rehearsal for the forthcoming European Music Tour will be held on Sunday, 8 April.
It is essential that all students involved in the tour attend this rehearsal. The day will commence with the Jazz Band at 10.00am. All other students are to arrive, ready to perform by 11.00am.
A sausage sizzle will be provided for lunch and boys are asked to bring their own water bottle.
Excitement is growing with less than three months till we board the plane for Europe, however there is still much work to be done.
The Music Concert will showcase the abundant talent of our students in vocal, brass, strings, elective music and ensemble performances. Click on the link below to find out more and purchase tickets.
The Rock Band program is now up and running for Years 6 to 11. There are still a number of places available for any student wishing to be part of this program.
The Rock Band program offers students the chance to form a group, learn songs, write and arrange their own material, rehearse on a regular basis and then perform and record their own music. The program integrates with the existing musical performances within the school, along with exciting new performance opportunities such as lunchtime concerts, workshops and community events.
Each group in the program will have a minimum of five members following the standard lineup of vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. Other instruments will also be considered, if appropriate.
A singer is required for the junior school band. The group meet on a Monday morning before school at 8.00am.
Any interested students should make contact with the Music Faculty or email: kkossenberg@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Musica Viva group ‘Mara’ visited Waverley College on Friday 9 March. They performed for Year 7 and Year 9 Elective Music Students, introducing them to the traditional Folk Music and Instruments of Bulgaria, Ireland and the Baltic Region. The group involved the students with singing, clapping and hand dancing activities and the boys responded enthusiastically. It was great to see Ms Ryan, Ms Cullen and Mr Egan (all of Irish descent) singing along to the Irish folk song.
Following this performance, Years 10 & 11 Elective Music Students participated in a workshop with the musicians. The boys joined in playing the folk music on their own instruments and some students were given the opportunity to improvise.
Both the performance and workshop were a great learning experience and all students responded with enthusiasm and energy.
Students engaged in learning and performing traditional Folk Music
On Thursday 22 February the Matthew Coorey Concert Band under the Direction of Mr Dan Williams performed for Year 7 and Year 8 students from St Clare’s College. The performance was organised by Miss Vanessa Hurley in conjunction with the Waverley College Music Faculty. The purpose of the performance was to introduce the girls to band instruments and encourage them to take up learning an instrument with the view to develop the St Clare’s band and also to present the opportunity to participate in a Waverley College band.
Our Waverley College boys demonstrated the individual instruments with pride and pizzaz and the girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
At the end of the performance some students from St Clare’s were given the opportunity to take the baton and conduct the Band. There was great laughter and enthusiastic applause.
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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