Bands

Isabelle Ho, Year 11

BANDS CAPTAIN’S REPORT

In 2021 the Pymble Band program continued to excel through lockdowns and on campus, bringing phenomenal music with renewed vigour and dedication and showcasing resilience and perseverance. The bands were an integral part of all aspects of College life this year, and the girls worked exceptionally hard to bring joy to the students, staff and parents.

Term 1

In Term 1, the girls worked towards their first ensemble concert since lockdown. The hard work of all the girls bore fruit at a beautiful outdoor concert on Gloucester Lawn. Lit with twinkling fairy lights and uplifting numbers such as the Mamma Mia Medley and Let’s Get Loud, the College community enjoyed a magical evening. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble also played at the first in-person whole school assembly. The band accompanied the fan favourite, Shine Jesus Shine, and the College sang together for the first time in a year, resulting in a magical and uplifting moment of school spirit. In celebration of International Women’s Week, the Senior Stage Band performed an exciting and spectacular program at the International Women’s Day lunch. Most notably the girls had the opportunity to collaborate with New York based professional jazz singer Briana Cowlishaw (2006). Furthermore, the Junior School girls attended the highly anticipated school Band Camp. Over the weekend, they worked hard at multiple rehearsals and were rewarded with a delicious pizza dinner and movie night.

Term 2

To commemorate the College’s everlasting gratitude for our service men and women, the Middle School Concert Band performed at the annual Anzac Day service. Against the elements on the Butterfly Mosaic, the girls played brilliantly and fittingly for the event. Estelle Vander, Year 9, played The Last Post.

To wrap up the term, all the bands were able to perform in our beautiful Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) at the ensemble concert. The last time the girls had performed in the GMCPA was November 2019. The Year 12 girls were bid farewell with all the best wishes for the future.

Term 3

Although thrust back into lockdown in Term 3, the bands continued to stay enthusiastic and active over Microsoft Teams. The girls were treated to breakfast with inspirational speakers Francine Bell and Dr Anita Collins, in which they gained valuable advice and insights into the benefits of music. In addition, as a celebration of female empowerment and ability, the bands’ repertoire was selected exclusively from female composers. Overall, the bands persevered through many adversities this year and contributed to numerous momentous events. With the continued support and passion of Mr Stafford, Head of Bands, Mr Schweinberger, Head of Co-curricular Music, and Mrs Turner, Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts, and the Music Department, 2021 was an extremely successful year.

“I love the friendships I make with girls in different years in the Band program and the sense of community that carries through other parts of school

life.” – Freya Carmody, Year 10

Isabelle Ho, Captain of Bands

BANDS AWARDS

Silver

Katherine Gibson, Pragya Mehta, Tara Narayan

Blue

Freya Carmody, Annabella Cheng, Elliot Dunk, Grace Fritz, Lux Fritz, Jasmin Gibson, Isabelle Ho, Cindy Hu, Annabel Johns, Ray Jones, Serena Kao, Caitlyn Kim, Piper Markson, Aine Oo, Ashleigh O’Young, Jessie Qin, Jessica Tse, Estelle Vander, Rhedyn Wong, Angela Ye

Red

Zoe Allen, Zara Benson, Samantha Beverley, Isabella Cepraga, Claudia Chan, Faye Chang, Sophia Chen, Miki Culver, Emma Duggan, Isabel Fisher, Lauren Gibson, Josephine Green, Olivia Harvey, Sophie Hoffman, Bomy Kim, Claire Kim, Bronte Lamb, Claire Oslington, Linh Pham, Rachel Rao, Lauren Solness, Ophelia Speed, Mikayla Tsou, Grace Walmsley, Anna Ward

White Service

Margaret Goh, Tara Narayan

Laura Makeham, Year 7