Grammar Gazette - Issue 2, 2023

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Finally, Holly Xu’s (10O) violin solo of Before the Sun captivated with its soulful energy, depicting the emotional and physical events which happen before the sun rises and after it sets. The Grammar Singers performed selections from Ben van Tienen’s Across the Dark, led by Ruani Dias-Jayasinha, Peter Ingram and Kathryn Sander on piano. With songs like Us and A Big White Duck, they delved into themes of relationships, emotions, and the wonders of imagination. The heartfelt melody of Turn the World touched the audience with its message of unity and hope. The musical journey continued to unfold with entrancing performances from the Massed Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, Percussion Ensemble 1, String Quartet, and Chamber Singers. Each segment took the audience on a new journey of soundscapes, each capturing a different element.

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The highlight of the night was the world-premiere of a commissioned composition by Brian Balmages: Origins, featuring William Barton. This extraordinary piece beautifully blended the Symphony Orchestra, didgeridoo, and the Massed Treble Choir, as they delved into the essence of existence, tracing the origins of our being, and celebrating the interconnectedness of the elements that shape our world. American composer, Balmages, spent a week at Girls Grammar as the 2023 Artist in Residence, where he worked with many of the ensembles, but particularly with the Symphony Orchestra, in the workshopping of the Origins piece. Balmages involved the students in the compositional process, sharing the emotional connectedness between his vision and the notes on their pages.

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The evening ended fittingly with the Elements Medley, arranged by Graham Lloyd, and led by Jonathan Zorzetto and Ruani Dias-Jayasinha with the Symphony Orchestra and Massed Treble Choir. This harmonious finale showcased the power of music, taking motifs from each and every element, from the earth beneath our feet to the wind on our cheeks. As the orchestra’s final note reverberated through the iconic Concert Hall, an atmosphere of awe and gratitude filled the air. The girls, and the Brisbane Grammar School performers who joined us, filled every inch of the grand Concert Hall, and delivered a concert that left audiences contemplative of the beautiful elements that comprise our world.

CAPTIONS 1 MS LAURINDA DAVIDSON 2 WILLIAM BARTON 3 CHAMBER SINGERS 4 HOLLY XU (10O) PERFORMING HER SOLO ON VIOLIN 5 THE MASSED CHOIR 6 VOCAL SOLOIST, JACQUI TRAPPETT (12O) 7 THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

GAZETTE • ISSUE 2, 2023 ISSUE 2, 2023