2023 School Magazine

MUSIC YEAR IN REVIEW

JAZZ CONCERT: The Jazz Concert in April marked the beginning of the autumn concerts in 2023 and the first concert many band students played at Girls Grammar. A Cabaret style setup allowed audiences to enjoy nibbles while cherishing the jazzy melodies and occasional improv solos performed by students. Students and audiences were also lucky enough to have BGGS Grammar Woman, Abbey Chadirchi (2021), present, who along with her jazz group, played between student performances. AUTUMN STRINGS: The Autumn Strings Concert featured our smaller string ensembles along with two of our junior string orchestras. Many excited Elgar and Dvorak string students performed on stage at BGGS for the very first time, while the Guitar Ensemble captivated audiences with elements of performance improvisation. Further, the Celtic Ensemble and Balkan Band showcased their extraordinary repertoire in preparation for the 2023 National Folk Festival, held in Canberra. MOVIE MAGIC CONCERT: Term 2 provided another exciting opportunity for BGGS band students to showcase their hard work in their Movie Magic Concert. Made extra special by the backdrop being tailored to the performing band and their repertoire, as well as students dressing up as their favourite characters, this concert was a memorable experience for those performing and those there for a good show. Excerpts from Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom of the Opera, Under the Sea, Star Wars, and more were enjoyed by all.

WINTER STRINGS ‘COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW’ CONCERT: Audience members experienced vibrant colours of the rainbow in the Winter Strings Concert. Different colours were used to represent the various ensembles that performed, a concept shared with the Indigenous story of the Rainbow Serpent. Elgar Strings shared their enthusiasm performing on stage, while Dvorak Strings gave a vibrant rendition of Colours of the Wind from Pocahontas. Copland Strings added a little bit of sparkle to the stage, and Albinoni Strings performed True Colours, featuring soloist Tessa Lloyd (11O). travelled to Canberra to represent BGGS at the annual National Folk Music Festival. The tour was a great success with the groups performing eight times on various stages around the festival. The students and teachers participated in all aspects of the festival, attending concerts, musical workshops, participating in a flashmob, going to arts and crafts workshops, being interviewed by a local radio station, listening to and presenting original poetry, dancing at the Jane Austen Ball and Scottish Ceilidh, as well as sampling the extensive array of cultural cuisine on offer. NATIONAL FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL: During the Easter holidays, 22 students from Celtic Ensemble and Gypsy Band

ACSMF TRIP: Over the winter holidays, 10 Music students and three teachers had the fantastic opportunity to attend the Australian Combined Schools Music Festival, hosted by Methodist Ladies College in Perth. The four-day festival was a wonderful experience for the students to further their musical skills and knowledge, and work with professional conductors and musicians. The trip created lasting memories and friendships through the billeting program and concluded in a high standard concert held at Winthrop Hall. CHOIR: Term 2 provided many opportunities for the choirs of BGGS to showcase their hard work across the year. For the Year 7 and 8 students, the Junior Choral Festival provided an opportunity to work with Australian composer, Tim Sherlock, which was the first major concert for many of the Schools’ youngest singers. Euphonix took to the stage at QYMA, receiving a Gold award for their beautiful performance. Both Chamber Singers and Encore showcased their talent at the Centaur Service and Nurses Vigil respectively, and the combined choir with BGS—Grammar Singers—took the audience around the world at the BGS Grammar in Concert event. Maddie Beltrame (12L), Jacqui Trappet (12O) and Kiara Chang (12B)

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