2020 School Magazine

2020 Prize Winners Brass Prize – Isabella Peters (10E) Woodwind Prize – Vivian Wang (11L) Percussion Prize – Abigail Chadirchi (11L) String Prize – Lilly Zhang (11W) Vocal Prize – Lily Lau-Coombs (12O) Non-Orchestral Instrument Prize – Lisa Chang (12E) The Acie Alexina Gillies Memorial Prize for Violin – Eilish Chopra (11W) The Valda Rawenia Gillies Prize for Piano – Aika Nishiyama (7G) The Wight Memorial Medal for Music – Sophie Shan (11E) R.T. and A.E. Jefferies Bursary – Abigail Chadirchi (11L) The Edmee Gainsford Viola Prize – Mia Li (12R) Virtual Performances Virtual performances from our BGGS musicians became a highlight during the period of remote learning earlier in the year. These included a joyous performance of You’ve Got A Friend by Chamber Singers, some stunning Arts Fest performances from Chamber Strings ( One Call Away ), Gypsy Band ( The Sultan’s Throne ) and Jazz Ensemble ( This is Me ), and a Vivaldi Concerto Grosso with Warwick Adeney and the Chamber Strings. Strike-A-Chord Competition The-Strike-A Chord Competition was a new initiative developed by Musica Viva Australia, and supported by Creative Victoria, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the Australian National Academy of Music. This inaugural competition celebrates Chamber Music in Australian secondary schools. BGGS entered five ensembles in the competition and was overwhelmed when three ensembles received first-round prizes. Congratulations to the following ensembles and individuals:

The Strike-A-Chord Woodwind Prize (for an ensemble with one or more woodwind players)—BGGS Harp Trio Remi Hirayama (10L) Harp

Clare Tian (11M) Violin Vivian Wang (11L) Flute

String Collaborations with BGS BGGS Strings enjoyed being a part of some enriching and exciting collaborations with Brisbane Grammar School (BGS) this year. Elgar, Dvorak, Copland, Bartok, Albinoni and Vivaldi Strings all worked on a combined piece, which culminated in a video recorded performance. Gillies Ensemble Prize Competition In August this year beautiful Chamber Music performances filled the Gehrmann Theatre as students in Years 7 to 12 participated in the School’s Annual Gillies Ensemble Prize Competition. Chamber Music requires performers to work in small ensembles, where each performer is on an independent musical line. There is no conductor and in many cases no accompanist. The girls are required to communicate and work as a cohesive team through non-verbal cues and well-honed auditory skills. The competition was adjudicated by guests Mr Simon Hewett and Mr Timothy Sherlock. Winners of the 2020 Gillies Instrumental Ensemble Competition Piano Trio—Sophie Shan (11E), Piano, Lilly Zhang (11W), Violin, and Michelle Jeong (10W), Cello Winners of the 2020 Gillies Vocal Ensemble Competition Abigail Lui (12O), Erika Thompson (12W) and Annabelle Khoo (12W) Australian Honours Ensemble Program The Australian Honours Ensemble Program, offered by Queensland Conservatorium, provides an opportunity for secondary school students in wind, brass, percussion, string and voice to work in an intensive environment of musical excellence, under the leadership of internationally renowned Australian conductors. Five BGGS students were selected for the Program. Congratulations to following students for their outstanding achievement:

The Strike-A-Chord Keyboard Prize—BGGS Piano Trio Michelle Jeong (10W) Cello

Sophie Shan (11E) Piano Lilly Zhang (11W) Violin

The Spirit of Chamber Music Prize—BGGS Year 12 String Quartet Aravindi Gunawardena (12E) Cello Hannah Kim (12M) Violin Mia Li (12R) Violin Margot Marshall (12W) Viola

Laura Hall (11L) Oboe Zara Hosking (8G) Violin Bryleigh Parsons-Pope (12B)Voice Soprano Lisa Walsham (8R) Clarinet Vivian Wang (11L) Flute

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