Our esteemed Senior School Music students were filled with joy as they graced the stage during our exquisite 2023 Jazz Night, which took place in The Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre on Tuesday evening. The musical extravaganza unfolded with captivating allure, as each talented young musician thrilled the audience with soul-stirring performances on brass instruments, effortlessly hitting celestial high notes. 

Hearing the wind instruments and vocal lessons taking place in Sherren House over the past month, I am reminded of each girl’s passion and commitment to play, and importantly, the character dispositions that come to the fore. It highlights the relevance of our Teaching and Learning Framework, developed to strengthen the language and understanding of our Thinking Agenda. Most specifically, the eight Learner Competencies we endeavour to teach students, that so often cross over from the classroom to co-curricular pursuits.  

The journey towards developing concert skills commences with the opportunities to perform at a range of recitals from a young age. Despite the reduced concert program over the past few years, the girls’ performances did not disappoint. They savoured each moment of being on stage and were brilliant with their execution.  

Head of Music, Mr Nick Grunden, garnered the support of three guest artists to perform with the girls throughout Jazz Night. The Rory Clark Trio with Rory Clark, Larry Kean and Isaac Gunnoo provided our musicians with a wonderful experience of collaboration with professional musicians. As one of Australia’s most accomplished Jazz pianists and composers, Rory Clark provided a highly professional level of musicianship to the evening. Their sharing of the stage was clearly enjoyable for our girls.  

This term, Rory Clark also served as our esteemed Artist-in-Residence, working alongside our budding musicians, sharing his expertise in music composition, arrangement, and rehearsal. Our students were blessed to share the stage with someone of such high standing in the music industry, as attested by Rory’s extensive list of accolades, including performances at the renowned New York City Jazz Festival and collaborations with esteemed figures both in Australia and abroad. Additionally, he has contributed to the creation of film trailers for celebrated author Bryce Courtney’s latest literary masterpiece, Fortune Cookie. 

My gratitude is extended to our Creative Arts Auxiliary, our Head of Music, Mr Nick Grunden, and our Music staff for their unwavering support in curating an evening of musical splendour. I also wholeheartedly congratulate our 2023 Music Captains, Jo-Jo Patterson (Choral) and Yifei (Angela) Tang (Instrumental) and all our Year 12 musicians for their exemplary student leadership throughout the evening. To view an extensive collection of images captured from the evening click here.

Without a doubt, our students possess an acute understanding of how to apply themselves diligently to their co-curricular pursuits. Their unwavering commitment shining brightly for all to see. The honing of skills through repetition and often demanding sessions dedicated to perfecting their craft mirrors the same approach required for their academic pursuits. 

As we head into the forthcoming assessment weeks of Semester One, I extend my best wishes to each student, accompanying it with a resounding call to embrace every lesson with an unwavering dedication, collaborative spirit, and a sense of agency. Seize each opportunity to engage in purposeful and deliberate practice, recognising that every classroom lesson, training session, Music rehearsal, and even lunchtime with friends, nurtures and strengthens the very fabric of our School culture. 

The Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre, proves again to be a magnificent addition to our learning spaces at St Catherine’s with its versatility in setups. Throughout May, the performance venue has gracefully transformed to accommodate many artistic expressions. From its intimate embrace as a playhouse for the captivating Senior School production of Children of the Black Skirt to its electric Jazz Bar and Restaurant vibe, bathed in lighting during Jazz Night, the Theatre has proven itself to be a realm of creative possibilities. Presently, preparations are underway for installing the tiered seating accommodating 200 audience members, in anticipation of the Junior School Musical, Seussical JR. I wholeheartedly urge you to secure your seats via this link.