A selective school of excellence
North Sydney Boys' High School offers one of the most vibrant music programs in the state of NSW, supporting more than ten ensembles and vocal groups.
Extract from the Falcon Magazine 2004 -
Musicians at North Sydney Boys High School have had another busy and successful year.
The music ensembles program continues to flourish, with more than 200 students actively participating in rehearsals, workshops and concerts throughout the year. The year started with the prestigious tour of the United States of America and The Bahamas by Stage Band 1 and director Saul Richardson. The Stage Band was the first Australian group to successfully audition for a performance engagement at the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) annual conference in New York City. This conference is recognised as the world’s largest Jazz event, with more than 7000 delegates and four days of concerts, workshops, demonstrations, discussion panels and a huge trade show.
The Concert Bands and orchestra have pefor-med for many of this year’s formal ceremonies. The Orchestra and Stage Band 2 travelled to Ryde Secondary College to present a well received concert for students, and the Concert Bands participated in the Yamaha Band Festival and enjoyed working with NSGHS Concert Band for some combined workshops.
The North Sydney Music Festival was held at Willoughby Town Hall at the end of June. Students Cameron Li and Douglas Sham performed in the Festival Orchestra and String Ensemble. Year 12 Extension Music student Joshua Creek was invited to perform an Etude by Scriabin; and a Jazz Combo featuring Sebastian McIntosh (also Music Extension), Matthew Zwi (Music 1) and Daniel Carson and Gene Taylor (Year 10) were also selected to perform, and presented a lively performance of “Afro Blue”.
The Annual Musicale was once again a showcase featuring the outstanding talents of our musicians. Performances from all the music ensembles demonstrated the diversity of musical genres and cultures our students are exposed to. Congratulations to all performers, and in particular to soloists Joshua Creek, Shaun Lee, David Leong, Sebastian McIntosh, Matthew Zwi, George Robinson, Anthony Yee, and Edward Davison, and composers Sammy Chow and Andrew Chessher. The final item featured a 150 voice choir accompanied by the Orchestra and conducted by Mrs Ee in a rendition of “If I Had Words” from the film “Babe”, by Saint Saens – a real spectacle!
Year Group Elective Music Concerts have allowed a larger number of students to experience the joys of performing, and student performances and compositions are always an interesting insight into the students themselves with their unique interests, experiences and abilities. Congratulations to all students who have performed on these occasions.
2004 also saw the reintroduction of a Lunch time Concert Program. Six Concerts across the year allowed students from Years 8 to 12 to present works of their choice to interested students and staff.
Congratulations to Year 12 students Joshua Creek, Shaun Lee, Sebastian McIntosh and James Polack who have all been nominated for Encore. This is a concert featuring the best HSC students across the State, and to have the entire Music Extension class nominated is a wonderful achievement – well done!
Congratulations also to all students who have performed in the Sydney Schools Ensembles, and also those who have attended the State Music Camps this year. We have approximately 25 students who have been part of the Arts Unit programs which allows top performers from Metropolitan Sydney and beyond to meet and work together in a wide array of contexts.
The creativity and talent of our students combined with experience, dedication and enthusiasm, have produced outstanding musical success in a wide range of activities in 2004. Congratulations and thank you to all students, staff and parents who support the musical life of North Sydney Boys High School.
Linda Moulton
Head Teacher