MUSICAL NOTES

The concert finished with a short but explosive set presented by Dr V’s Swing Thing. Later in the same week, the Ensembles Concert was held in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre. This concert featured many of the School’s chamber ensembles that do not regularly appear in the large term concerts. The standard of music-making from these ensembles was impressive and all areas of our busy instrumental and vocal programme were represented in this concert. The musical year concluded with the Term IV Concert in the John Vallance Hall. A wide range of repertoire was presented by the School’s larger ensembles, including Zephyr Winds, School Orchestra, Cantorum, AMCO and Seymour Orchestra. Once again, the Wind Ensemble presented a multi-movement work that gave some of our budding young conductors from Form V the opportunity to direct the ensemble. Alastair Herbert, Leo Huang, Oscar Lobb-McEwan and Ethan Loi took to the podium and performed admirably. The concert finished with an energetic performance of Dmitry Kabalevsky’s Colas Breugnon Overture, conducted by Mr Joshua Clarke.

Term I, 2025

Our musical year began once again with the Welcome Concert in Big School. Some of our smaller ensembles representing the Music programme at Grammar performed, including Poco Stringendo, Senior Jazz Combo, Grammarphones and Flute Ensemble. The Music Association hosted a post-concert supper where new parents could meet the Music staff. The annual Music Scholars’ Concert was held in early March. As always, this was a most enjoyable evening of high-quality musical performance. The boys performed superbly, and they were well supported by their talented accompanists Mr Anthony Chen, Ms Rachael Lin and Ms Hye-Lim Lee. On 20 March, the major concert for the term was held in the John Vallance Hall. All of the School’s flagship ensembles performed and highlights included the School Choir’s performance of Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, featuring one of our vocal tutors, soprano Ms Michelle Ryan, and the School Orchestra’s performance of Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto, featuring the winner of the 2024 Form V Instrumental Competition, Raymond Wang on the clarinet. It was a stunning performance that brought the house down! The final concert for Term I was the Bach Birthday Organ Concert in Big School, which included performances by a number of boys, including Jerry Yu (VI), Jacky Dong (V), Josh He (IV), Eason Zhuo (IV), Shuichi Madina (IV), Tiger Han (III) and School organist, Mr Bob Wagner.

Visiting vocal group

In February we were treated to a lunchtime concert performance by a visiting vocal quintet from Leipzig in Germany, called Ensemble Nobiles. The concert included a variety of repertoire arranged for a capella voices and ranged from traditional German folk songs to jazz standards. The group was in Australia on a tour that included a concert in Big School to celebrate the Sydney Chamber Choir’s 50th anniversary. The Sydney Chamber Choir is currently directed by Sam Allchurch (OS 2007).

HSC and ENCORE

Concert Once again, Grammar musicians were well represented in the nominations for NESA’s annual ENCORE Concert for outstanding performances and compositions. While none of the compositions were selected for the concert, we were very pleased to have two performers selected for the second year running. Morgan Owen (OS 2024) and James Woo (OS 2024) were invited to play their fabulous marimba and vibraphone duet Losa in the concert. They gave an outstanding performance in front of a large and appreciative crowd that included thirty Form V and VI Grammar boys.