Music Performance

As we gear up for a big week ahead at the Sydney Eisteddfod, there's a buzz of excitement among our performers. On Monday, our hardworking Piccolo String Quartet will take the stage. They've put in many hours of practice, and we're eager to see their efforts come to fruition.

Tuesday is set to be a major day of choirs. Our K-1 Gumnuts Choir, Year 2 Bunyips Choir, Year 3-4 Sculthorpe Choir, along with Year 5-6 A Cappella and Year 5-6 Singers, are all ready to compete. These groups have been working tirelessly, and their recent performances at school assemblies have set high expectations for the Eisteddfod. The chance to perform at the professional venue, Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood, is a unique experience for our students. It's not only a wonderful opportunity for their personal growth, but it also allows them to witness the performances of students from other schools, offering a chance to appreciate various styles and techniques.

On Wednesday, our String Orchestra students are set to compete, and we wish them the best of luck. Their dedicated practice sessions and team efforts have been commendable and they're looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Composition Competition

We are delighted to announce that Reddam House is now accepting entries for the 2023 Composition Competition. This prestigious contest celebrates the musical creativity of our students across all genres, styles, and mediums of composition. Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished Australian composer who will provide each participant with individual feedback and Music RHAP points. We will acknowledge winners in each age category, and select compositions will be showcased at our school assemblies. Students are welcome to submit multiple entries by August 7th at 5pm. For more information or assistance with entries, please contact Mr. Bortolotti at marcus.bortolotti@reddamhouse.com.au. Please visit the following link for the entry submission form. We look forward to hearing your music!

● https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzGIa8zNWd01brXcfLpnS9iEFJdU6myFpbdExKNHL6zgjqA/viewform

Reddam House String Orchestra

Our String Orchestra students are enjoying a very successful year. The Orchestra has recently delivered a fine performance of George Frideric Handel's 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' at the Instrumental Competition Finals, a testament to their talent and the hard work they've put into their playing year. We're excited to share that the Orchestra will be performing this piece, along with Handel's famous 'La Réjouissance' at the Sydney Eisteddfod on June 21st. These performances will showcase the breadth and depth of their musical understanding and prowess, and we are looking forward to this event very much.

Diversifying their musical repertoire, the Orchestra has also delved into the romantic era with movements from the acclaimed 'Peer Gynt Suite' by Edward Grieg. As they navigate these different styles of music, they've honed their intonation, enhanced their bow technique, experimented with ensemble colour, and delved into historically informed phrasing.

And their musical journey doesn't end there. They're about to start rehearsals for 'St Paul's Suite', a popular work by the distinguished English composer Gustav Holst. This suite is sure to offer new challenges and learning opportunities, further enhancing the students' musical expertise.

Our String Orchestra's musical journey this year is shaping up to be nothing short of remarkable. We commend their hard work, dedication and their passionate approach to music-making, and eagerly look forward to their forthcoming performances.

Primary School Jazz Band

The Primary Jazz Band will be performing ‘Bags Groove’ written by Milt Jackson and famously recorded by trumpeter Miles Davis in 1954. It is a 12 bar blues that uses a repeated melody followed by improvised solos. The band comprises brass, woodwind, strings and rhythm section. This term we have been working on the blues form and learning how to improvise using the melody and chords as a guide. The students have a lot of fun every Friday afternoon as they learn about jazz music, its stylistic features, improvisation, and ensemble techniques. They cannot wait to perform for their family and friends later this year.

Year 2 learned all about the ostinato (a short repeated musical phrase) in Music this week. First, the students listened to two contrasting pieces of music which both used ostinati as a compositional technique. Then, the students moved onto the xylophones to create their own ostinato patterns. Once each student had created their own ostinato, they then worked together in groups to create a composition using each of their patterns. By layering in each ostinato pattern one at a time and then slowly layering each out to finish the piece, the students were able to create some very interesting musical textures.

Art Club

Year 3 and 4 Art Club

In an impressive artistic endeavour, the After School Art Club, comprising Year 3 and 4 students, merged their individual drawings to create a captivating artwork. Drawing inspiration from renowned artist Chuck Close, the students skilfully combined their work, showcasing their talent and embracing Close's artistic style. Following Close's meticulous grid technique approach, the students created their drawings while considering tone, line, and blending techniques. Collaboratively, they merged their individual pieces, resulting in a harmonious composition that reflects their growth as artists.

The After School Art workshop demonstrated the power of inspiration and collaboration, uniting the students' individual talents in a stunning artwork that pays homage to the influence of Chuck Close and the Reddam House Elk.

Important Dates