SNOW CONCERT HALL OPENING NIGHT

25 August, 2022 marked the official opening of Snow Concert Hall. Years of tireless planning, and development by many passionate and dedicated individuals went into its build. The opening night demanded as much dedication and commitment, as we unveiled what was to be a new landmark and architectural marvel in Canberra Grammar School’s rich and vibrant history.

With countless hours devoted to rehearsals by students and staff set to perform at the opening, and with support from technical and operational teams behind the scenes, we prepared to open the doors of Snow Concert Hall to welcome our community.

The event opened with an official ribbon cutting by Terry and Ginette Snow and a digeridoo performance followed by a unique musical Acknowledgement of Country —The poem Red Hill Wedgetail Country, a specially commissioned piece by Wallaboola man from the Ngunawal Nation, Ethan Bell, accompanied by ‘Ngunnawal Song’, written in consultation with Aunty Violet Sheridan.

Resonance, performed by the CGS Chorale, CGS Choir and CGS Chamber Choir, as well as performances by cellist Christopher Pidcock, pianist Aaron Chew, vocalists Liam Budge and Chelsea Bonanno, also CGS Alumni, exemplified the broad range of performances Snow Concert Hall was built to not only accommodate but also accentuate.

Additionally, a breathtaking performance by prizewinning organist Marko Sever on Canberra Grammar School’s bespoke digital pipe organ, as well as addresses by Dr Justin Garrick and Mr Terry Snow were resounding crowdpleasers. Finally, a closing performance by the CGS Choir was among the many illustrations of the capabilities and calibre of the Snow Concert Hall. Each performance on the night reverberated around the hall, with all in attendance revelling in its state-of-the-art acoustics.

The official opening of Snow Concert Hall culminated years of planning, development, and countless hours of rehearsals into a truly unforgettable night of extraordinary performances that our community will be sure to remember.

We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mr Terry Snow for his generous donation and ongoing patronage of the School. His invaluable support has made a transformative impact on the future of the School, its students and the music education programme. The Snow Concert Hall offers new opportunities for our students to learn, grow and succeed. We aim to utilise the Snow Concert Hall to its fullest extent as a place to appreciate music and the performing arts, to honour achievements and talents, a place to grow and learn as well as a space to gather as one community and celebrate the many occasions to come.

– Ryan Butterworth, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

In December 2022 a group of CGS students participated in Sony Camp, a holiday programme that gives children with special needs an incredible camp experience, and parents, guardians and carers some respite during the holidays. CGS Year 11 students volunteered their time to train and provide care for the children enrolled in the programme over a 4 day period.

This year’s camp was a wonderful success as campers had an amazing time swimming, dragon boating and sailing, playing music, dancing, and engaging in woodwork activities!