Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2022

Music

Wind of Life , by Dr Jodie Blackshaw, is this year’s commissioned piece for our Symphonic Wind Band, lower strings and harp Dr Blackshaw was inspired by the personality and writings of Australian Impressionist, Ms Alice J Muskett (1869–1936), who as a 26-year-old woman, boarded a ship from Sydney to Paris in 1895 and endured the unjust treatment of women artists during this time With poor light, limited resources, and only a few moments of her Master teacher’s time, she nonetheless, savoured her time abroad A single vibrant lady, Ms Muskett was considered generous to emerging female artists in Sydney—sharing her knowledge freely and willingly Ms Muskett captured the essence of life as a female artist in the following poem which expresses the need for balance, company, and the strong desire to give of herself, as it is through this giving, she can find happiness and realise her art:

The artists' courage and quiet determination served as a source of inspiration for Dr Blackshaw when writing her composition for BGGS—'I hope this small work celebrating her (Ms Mukett’s) remarkable life raises awareness about the often ‘forgotten’ pioneers of the Australian art-world and presents a moment to say thank you, Alice Jane Muskett, for your courage’ The responsibility to inform and create a sustained trend is held by those of us in positions of influence. As educators we can inspire our students to take part in the discourse surrounding gender equality, and one of the ways we can do so, is to celebrate and promote the BGGS International Women’s Day Concert Women in music are brilliant, creative, brave, and resilient Women in music are composers, conductors, singers, or musicologists Women in music are our students ■

Wind of Life Blow thou mightily That so at length I can succour all who have need of me

O Sun of Love! With thy radiancy

Warm my heart Until each part Is filled with love for humanity OWind and Sun! Of thy charity Breathe and shine In this heart of mine Make me that which I fain would be! Published in Sydney Mail, October 10, 1905

top left Holly Xu (9O), Allie Na (9H) and Zina Kim (7M) in the Symphony Orchestra top right Chamber Singers bottom left Alyssa Godhino (10B) bottom right Madison Beltrame (11L)

Gazette

Brisbane Girls Grammar School

15

Issue 1, 2022