3 minute read
Head of Performance Music
FROM THE HEAD
OF PERFORMANCE MUSIC
PERSISTENCE. [ PER-SIS-TUHNS ] “TO CONTINUE STEADFASTLY OR FIRMLY IN SOME STATE, PURPOSE, COURSE OF ACTION, OR THE LIKE, ESPECIALLY IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION, REMONSTRANCE, ETC.”
AS WE ALL NAVIGATE OUR WAY ALONG THE TURBULENT RIVER THAT IS THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, REDEEMER’S PERFORMANCE MUSIC FAMILY CAN SENSE THAT OUR STURDY AND ROBUST ROWBOAT IS FINALLY APPROACHING THE DELTA. FROM HERE, WE CAN SEE THE ‘FREE AND OPEN’ OCEAN, JUST WITHIN OUR REACH. STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON THEIR PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
More than ever our students realise, and value, that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. Perhaps, because of the challenges we have all faced, lessons, rehearsals and performances, resonated more deeply within us all throughout 2022. As we emerge from the pandemic, we remember the great joy and immense satisfaction that persistence brings, and has brought, to our music-making.
PERFORMANCE [ per-fawr-muhns ] “the
execution or accomplishment of work, acts, feats, etc.”
At the Queensland Youth Music Awards, Wind Symphony and Senior Singers won their sections, with Senior Singers garnering a standing ovation and many of our ensembles receiving top-level awards in their sections. Our bands gave memorable performances, as part of the Queensland Youth Orchestra (QYO) Concerts at Twilight concert series, further enriching the significant relationship that Redeemer has formed with QYO over many years. At MusicFest Part 1 (Secondary), Wind Symphony, Chamber Strings, Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band all received Platinum awards. It is unique and cause for celebration for a school program to achieve excellence across all areas of ensemble studies.
Our Junior School ensembles are currently preparing for MusicFest, and we are sure they will do us equally proud. Of course, our in-house concerts were truly exceptional too, with all ensembles and soloists performing with confidence, style and rigour. Each concert this year was a triumph and a blessing. These results are, of course, the most visible, but let’s take a moment to celebrate the small landmarks, too; like when Jasmine Oh & Janice Wang performed a spontaneous, perfectly in-tune, duet of A Mozart Melody in Year 5 Band class, or when Henry Lee (Year 10) had the courage to sing his first ever solo in his successful audition for Senior Singers, or when Claire Liu (Prep) played hands-together for the first time in her piano lesson with Mrs Hutcheson! Magical moments like these happen every day in the Music Department, and they are all worth celebrating - just as much as the huge ensemble performances that garner trophies and statewide acclaim. Sincere congratulations to all students on your big, and small, “magic moments”.
PERPETUITY [ pur-pi-too-i-tee ] “continuing or
enduring forever; everlasting.”
Music is a gift. Once it is inside you, you take it everywhere. It lasts. When thinking about the success of the Year 12 Music Extension students, and all of the Year 12 students who performed so superbly at the Senior School Finale Concert, it is impossible not to remember where and how they started: some in Year 2 Piccolo Strings, some in Year 5 Band, and some in Junior Voices. Through their rich ensemble journeys, impactful lessons, and Redeemer’s classroom Music program (the perfect musical triangle!), they have become extraordinary musicians and marvellous leaders. They are ready to take their musical gifts and accrued life-skills with them as they embark on the next part of their lives. We thank them for their service and now look forward to inspiring all of our future leaders to make beautiful music together, too, knowing that music is for life.
It has been a challenging year, absolutely, but certainly rewarding, memorable and full of joy. Perhaps the river wasn’t so turbulent after all, and we thank God for our sturdy and robust rowboat.
