2015 School Magazine

MUSIC COMPETITIONS FOTINI BOX (12G) The annual instrumental and vocal competitions in Term II are always a stressful time for the girls involved. With more than 200 participants, the competition in each section proved fierce and the bravery of the girls, especially the younger girls, was absolutely brilliant to see. Eight competitions are included in the Jeffries Bursary. These include a violin prize (winner: Fiona Qui, 10R), vocal prize (winner: Simran Patel, 12O), brass prize (winner: Nadia Othman, 12L), percussion prize (winner: Lucinda Conwell, 11L), strings prize (winner: Young Min Kim, 10G), intermediate piano prize (winner: Abigail White, 10W), senior piano prize (winner: Tokiwa Onoda, 11E) and

the woodwind prize (winner: Fotini Box, 12G). From these eight winners, four were chosen to compete in the grand final on the 29 May in the Artists in Concert: Simran Patel (vocal, 12O), Fotini Box (woodwind, 12G), Young Min Kim (strings, 10G) and Tokiwa Onoda (senior piano prize, 11E). All the girls played their absolute best and gave an emotional and beautiful performance for the eager crowd and adjudicator who faced a very tough decision. At the end of the night, Tokiwa Onoda (senior piano prize, 11E) was chosen as the winner of the Jeffries Bursary. A very special thanks must go to Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra for providing entertainment, and to all the staff for preparing the girls, the adjudicators and accompanists who all worked very hard during this process.

GIVING BACK TO GONDWANA KATELYN HOEDEMAKERS (11G)

On the 18 July, the ‘Giving back to Gondwana Choirs — Music Soiree, Concert and Cocktail Party’ took place at St Peters Lutheran College. Gondwana National Choirs comprise many youth choral groups from all across Australia including the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir. Gondwana National Choirs is also the national children’s choir of Australia involving children aged ten to sixteen. Brisbane Girls Grammar School and four other high schools participated in this charity event. Brisbane Girls Grammar Schools Chamber Singers, conducted by Mr Paul Holley, sang works including Don’t Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl and She’s Like The Swallow arranged by Eleanor Daley. Brisbane Girls Grammar Schools Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mr Mark Sullivan, also participated in the event playing Concerto Grosso by George Frideric Handel and Fantasia Española by Soon Hee Newbold. Although the preparation for the event was somewhat tiring, I believe all students who participated in the event learnt something new. For me, I realised that music is a very important part of a lot of people’s lives and being able to be a part of an event that helps individuals fulfil their dreams is very heart-warming.

CO-CURRICULUM