Music

Breakfast with Francine Bell

It was a pleasure to see more than 150 students from the Secondary School Music Ensemble program come together for an alternative music opportunity during online learning this week. African American Gospel singer, entertainer, actress and presenter Francine Bell joined the girls on Monday morning for an informal presentation and chat that included dealing with nerves, performance technique, motivation and how to avoid some common pitfalls of performing. She also shared stories and moments from her colourful life and how they inspired her to become the performer she is today.

Breakfast with Dr Anita Collins

During Week 7, there will be no Secondary Music Ensemble rehearsals. Alternatively, students will engage with an external music specialist as a substitute to the weekly online rehearsal.

Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. Anita is best known for her role as on-screen expert and campaign lead for the Don’t Stop the Music documentary that aired on the ABC in late 2018 and author of The Music Advantage. She is internationally recognised for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student. Over the last two years, Anita has interviewed close to 100 researchers in laboratories across the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Anita has written opinion columns for The Age and The Conversation, authored papers for international peer-reviewed journals, guest authored on international sites and been a specialist technical writer for OECD Education Framework 2030. Anita is a Churchill Fellow, a TEDx speaker and the author of one of the most watched TED Education films ever made.

To learn more about Dr Anita Collins, please click here to watch the Ted-ED video.

All students are expected to attend the morning session from 7.15am to 8.00am. If you are not able to make the time due to another College commitment that cannot be changed, the session will be recorded and streamed again on the Wednesday following the presentation. Instructions on how students will connect will be communicated through Microsoft Teams.

Secondary School Bassoon Playing Opportunity

The College is looking to develop the ensemble program through the support of various lesser-known concert band and orchestral instruments. An area that the College would like to further develop is to see more students playing the bassoon and therefore the College will support payment of tuition and instrumental hire. It is preferable that the student is already learning an instrument, such as piano, so they make the transition with ease. If this is of interest, please email musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

External Performance Opportunities for Instruments

The College has been informed of two exciting musical opportunities for students; the Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) and the Australian Youth Orchestra have opened applications for 2022. Over the course of many years, the College has had many students be a part of these external ensemble opportunities.

SYO is more than just an extra-curricular activity for young people who love music, it gives musicians the opportunity to expand their musical skills and gain access to the best orchestral music training in New South Wales.

Musicians at SYO can expect:

Weekly rehearsals led by exceptional artistic staff
Masterclasses and tutorials with musicians from the likes of the SSO, ACO, AWO
A robust and interactive hybrid education program (face-to-face and online)
Challenging and engaging repertoire
A community of likeminded and passionate musicians.

Apply today to be a part of the SYO program by clicking on the LINK.

AYO is a place for young musicians from all over Australia to come together to create music, learn from each other, study and perform. The training pathway has been created to nurture the musical development of Australia’s aspiring young instrumentalists: from the emerging, school-aged student to those on the verge of a professional career.

For more information on programs offered by the AYO, click on the LINK.

Private Instrumental Tuition News

Congratulations to Annabella Bayfield (Year 5) who received a High Distinction (A+) in her Grade 1 Musicianship examination. This is a wonderful achievement for such a young student. Keep up the great work!

Chloe Frontczak (Year 9) is a dedicated and talented student, who took the time to talk about her music studies during online learning as a student who participates in a weekly online saxophone lesson with Mrs Patrice Goodman.

“Hi, I am Chloe and I learn the Alto Saxophone with Mrs Goodman. Currently I am working towards my Grade 7 AMEB examination. While online learning has its challenges, I am enjoying not having to carry my saxophone to and from school on the train. Lessons are fun and productive. It is great to have the music on the screen, just like face-to-face lessons, Mrs Goodman is able to mark the score.”