Grammar Gazette- Issue 2, 2016

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MUSICAL RESIDENCY HITS THE RIGHT NOTE

IN MAY, THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FACULTY WAS PRIVILEGED TO HOST INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MUSICIAN DR MARK LAYCOCK FROM WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY AS A VISITING MUSICIAN-IN-RESIDENCE.

Dr Mark Laycock has travelled the world as a director, performer and academic, collaborating with musical luminaries such as Marvin Hamlisch and Simon Estes, performing at Carnegie Hall and working with orchestras across the USA, France, Spain, Slovakia and Canada … and now Brisbane. Director of Instrumental Music, Mr Mark Sullivan was first introduced to Dr Laycock by a colleague he met on a teachers exchange to the United States some years ago, and was thrilled to be approached for a visit. ‘Dr Laycock is a highly talented and respected musician, and we were very fortunate to have him here sharing his knowledge and expertise with our staff and students.’ ‘Aside from his incredible musical talent, he is also very funny and imaginative and was able to challenge, inspire and motivate students to search beyond the notes to understand and convey the real meaning of the music,’ said Mr Sullivan. During the week of his visit, Dr Laycock held workshops with all of the School’s seven string orchestras and the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Symphony Orchestra, and hosted a number of dedicated professional development workshops for

the School’s instrumental music teachers as well as a one-day workshop for orchestra teachers from schools across Queensland and New South Wales.

‘ Brisbane Girls Grammar School is working miracles with the string programme’

Dr Laycock’s visit culminated in his conducting the Girls Grammar Symphony Orchestra at the May 2016 Concert attended by parents and members of the School community. ‘Brisbane Girls Grammar School is working miracles with the string programme, with an assembly of amazing staff who have a fantastic rapport with the students … and the performances I heard were remarkable,’ said Dr Laycock. ‘The girls even generously gave me some Tim Tams to take home, which my family love … the Vegemite not so much,’ he laughed. Dr Laycock will return to Australia later this year to work with the Queensland Conservatorium’s State Honours Ensemble Programme (SHEP). This well-respected programme brings together the finest young musicians from across Queensland, In 2016, this programme offers Voice, String, Wind, Brass and Percussion students an intensive four-day programme that culminates in a gala concert. Six Grammar girls from Years 7 to 11 were selected to attend the programme in September. under the tutelage of a team of eminent international and national conductors.

GRAMMAR GAZETTE