Just after releasing our previous newsletter, 40 talented Concert Band members returned from the Band Together Competition at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. This annual fundraiser is convened by School Bands Australia to give over 800 children from primary and high schools all over Sydney the chance to perform on a professional stage and receive feedback from a professional in the music industry. Our students were very excited to be there and received both constructive and complimentary feedback, as well as large applause. It is a wonderful experience to be in a real theatre, under stage lights and our musicians did us very proud. They had the opportunity to see other groups perform too. It was indeed an enriching experience from both sides of the curtain. Thanks to Ms Pam for helping to contain the excitement!

On Wednesday June 25 our Senior Strings players rehearsed for their September concert at the Sydney Opera House. We were very lucky to have parents available to take us to the rehearsal space at Meadowbank PS, allowing families to save time and money. The ensemble is sounding amazing as we saw at today’s Captain Canterbury assembly. I look forward to taking the ensemble to the Sydney Opera House on September 8th for their final rehearsal and performance. 

Last Monday I escorted 20 of our senior choir members to the Festival of Choral Music concert rehearsal held at the Salvation Army Congress Hall. As we all know, whilst the Metro is under construction, city travel can be a challenge with a large group, but I managed to snag our own rail bus to Sydenham Station, so we had a pretty relaxed ride into town. The students worked hard to become more comfortable with our repertoire and we have a very keen and excited group looking forward to their concert at the Sydney Opera House on August 4th.

I thoroughly enjoy being able to give our students the chance to perform at professional venues and all of our students are beautifully behaved and make Canterbury PS proud. They are a credit to themselves for their discipline to practice. A huge thank you must also go to all of their families for their support and guidance. I can’t wait to show you all our talented musicians at the Sydney Opera House next term and our Creative Arts Night in Term 4.

Mrs Ryan
Music Program Coordinator