MUSICAL NOTES

Pictured: Grammarphones

Term IV Concert 2023, Jazz Concert and Ensembles Concert

After the Annual Examinations in Term IV, the Grammar musicians were busy preparing for a number of concerts to finish the year. The first was the Jazz Concert, held in the Alastair Mackerras Theatre. This was on a much larger scale than the traditional ‘Combos Concert’ from previous years and it was the first major jazz concert organised by our new Head of Jazz Studies, Mr Jason Isaac. The concert featured many of the new jazz combos and big bands and it kicked off with a special performance by our Old Sydneians big band, Dr V’s Swing Thing, conducted by Mr David Theak. This expanded jazz concert was a huge success and it will remain part of the annual Music calendar.

Pictured: Term IV Concert, Wind Ensemble

Term I 2024

The musical year began in Week 2 with our Welcome Concert in Big School. Once again, a number of smaller ensembles representing the breadth of musical activities at Grammar performed to an audience of parents new to the School this year. Following the concert, parents were able to meet the Music staff at a supper kindly provided by the Music Association. The following week our three senior jazz combos provided entertainment in the Green Zone for all Form I parents attending the large welcome event in the John Vallance Hall. It wasn’t long until our next concert – the Jazz Concert on 5 March. This is a new event on the Music calendar and it featured ten jazz combos and three big bands. A large and appreciative audience filled the Alastair Mackerras Theatre for what was an impressive night of jazz.

Pictured: Jazz Concert

Term I concluded with two final concerts: the Music Scholars’ Concert on 4 April and the Bach Birthday Organ Concert on 7 April. As always, the Music Scholars’ Concert was a thrilling evening of exceptional music-making. It was wonderful to welcome our new Music Scholars in Form I and it was with some sadness we heard the final solo performances from our wonderful Form VI scholars, who have made a significant contribution to music at Grammar.

The organ concert, held in Big School, was well attended and featured fine performances from a number of organ pupils, including James Brew (VI), Tiger Han (II), Eason Zhuo (III) and Josh He (III). The audience was also thrilled to hear a wonderful performance of Bach’s Chaconne on the violin by Ms Madeleine Easton.

Pictured: Ensembles Concert

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)

Once again, we were very pleased to be awarded the AMEB Shield for Most Outstanding School. This award is a testament to the professionalism and dedication of our visiting instrumental and vocal tutors, and a wonderful reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by the large number of boys who sit for practical music examinations each and every year. The shield was presented to the School at the AMEB Awards Ceremony at the UNSW on 10 March. As the shield recipient, the School was invited to provide a chamber group to perform in the courtyard prior to the ceremony. Our Form III Wind Quintet Isaac Liang (flute); Will Armstrong (oboe); Atticus Lee (clarinet); William Saw (bassoon); Alexander Barry (French horn) directed by Dr Robert Busan, performed admirably and were well received by the hundreds of people attending the event. Congratulations to all of the Grammar boys who were awarded their AMusA or LMusA diplomas at the ceremony.

Pictured: Form III Wind Quintet performing prior to the AMEB Ceremony