Creative Thinkers and Creators
St Catherine’s Music Program provides meaningful experiences and opportunities that nurture and inspire students to pursue their passions as creative thinkers and creators. Below is a snapshot of some of the activities taking place in Barbreck Music.
Music Assemblies
Fundamental music literacy, aural and collaborative skills developed in the classroom and co-curricular ensembles shine during our Barbreck Music Assemblies. This event has expanded to feature Choral, Strings and Drama. We hope to also include Dance in the future to showcase the versatile talents of our girls and celebrate all aspects of Performing Arts.
Our next Music Assembly will be held on Friday 9 September and will feature:
- Langley Choir
- Heyington Choir
- Barbreck Choir
- Epstein Singers
- Barbreck Strings
- Years 5 and 6 Strings Trio
- Drama
Year 6
In the Band and Choral program, Year 6 students collaborate, travel, and spend quality time together as a Cohort.
They are playing/singing and performing together as a Band/Choir and walking up to the Myer Studio for Band rehearsal on Wednesdays.
This week, the girls went on an excursion to Monash University to watch the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition (1874).
This experience highlighted the rewarding possibilities of a career in music. Our passionate musicians got a preview of what they could achieve if they persist and continue their musical journey. The Robert Blackwood Hall was the perfect venue to engage with music composed by two great composers from 1874 and 2016.
Year 3SR
Year 3 have started learning the recorder and are able to create a clear sound while playing notes B and A.
The girls have persisted with resilience, focusing on breath control, and feeling the music as they play with the accompaniment. We are singing, clapping, moving, playing simple songs, and most importantly having fun exploring recorder techniques through classroom games.
Another highlight is the brilliant musicians who volunteer to share music they are currently working on in their private lessons or at home. The girls get the opportunity to perform in front of their friends and participate as audience members. We celebrate music and inspire each other. It has been rewarding to hear how much they have improved from Term 1.
Well done Year 3. You have been supportive, calm, and active listeners.
What are three words to describe our classroom performances?
“Fun, I love hearing the music and the pieces are amazing.” Yolanda
“Delightful, Effortful, Gleeful.” Ingrid
“Fun, Impressive, Interesting.” Sylvanas
What do you enjoy about Performing Arts?
“I like practising new instruments.” Georgia
“We get to play songs like Little Fly, B is for Basil and A is for Abigail.” Yolanda
“I get to learn new things, like how to name notes really fast and how to play the recorder.” Sienna
“It is full of imagination and always a wondering world.” Ingrid
Why do you enjoy learning the recorder?
“I like learning notes on the recorder. It is really fun to play.” Sophie
“It is an instrument that I enjoy playing.” Georgia
“It is fun, because you have to cover the holes with your fingers and blow ‘tu’ to make the sound come out.” Yolanda
“It is not easy, you have to cover the holes completely, so it is challenging. I feel proud when I play a note correctly.” Sienna
“The recorder makes unique sounds that I have never heard of before.” Ingrid He
“I enjoy how I can play different sounds and use short breaths.” Sylvanas
Year 2T Opened Class – Strings and Classroom Music
The Year 2 students have come a long way and are enjoying their group violin lessons with Mrs Lisa Cook.
We are learning about notes on the stave. Slowly expanding our understanding of rhythm, time, dynamics, and pitch through singing, movement, and playing instruments.
Our Year 2 students play ‘limited range’ songs from classroom music on the violin such as, Mr Sun and One, Two, Three. They will continue to listen for similarities and differences in pitches and rhythm patterns, respond to music and compose simple songs with movement.
What are you enjoying about Year 2 Strings?
“I am enjoying the different pieces that we learn.” Claudia
“I enjoy learning about the different strings.” Jemima
What are you proud of?
“I am proud of reaching Grade 1 AMEB and getting my certificate!” Claudia
“I am proud of learning the song Mary had a Little Lamb.” Jemima
Three words to describe your experience in Music and Year 2 Strings?
“Fun, exciting and amazing.” Claudia
“Fun, proud and exciting.” Jemima
St Catherine’s School Gala Concert
We are excited for the return to the Melbourne Recital Centre to celebrate the musical talents of our students at the Gala Concert 2022.
Our performances at the Gala Concert will be inspired by a range of ‘Journeys’.
The Concert will showcase a diverse repertoire from students in Years 4 to 12 and range from classical to contemporary styles.
Please join us to celebrate our passionate and dedicated musicians at St Catherine’s.
Gala Concert 2022
Melbourne Recital Centre
Tuesday 16 August 6.30pm
Standard $34 | Student $25
Book tickets here
Barbreck’s Got Talent
Barbreck’s Got Talent was a hit last term and the students have spoken – it is time for another one!
Our Music Captains did an outstanding job at hosting this event. We saw amazing singing, dancing, drama, and comedy acts. This term, Prep to Year 3 will also get the opportunity to share!
Tuesday 30 August: Lower Primary in the Library (Prep to Year 3) at 1:20pm to 1:50pm (lunchtime)
Wednesday 31 August: Upper Primary at the Red Steps Ground Level (Years 4 to 6) 1:20pm to 1:50pm (lunch time)
Junior School Recital
Our Junior School Recital will be held on Thursday 1 September in the Junior School Auditorium. It is a highlight of each term. The girls have all been working hard to prepare a repertoire of high-quality music for the day, and it will be wonderful to celebrate their achievements as a community.
Arts Week
Barbreck’s Arts Week will be held in Week 9 of this term and will feature St Catherine’s Speech and Drama teacher and professional artist, Ms Lucy Mason. Lucy is an experienced and highly regarded professional artist, performer, and educator. She is multi-talented in Visual Arts, Drama, Music, and Dance, and currently completing her Masters of Teaching.
Lucy will be working closely with the Prep to Year 6 students over the week. There will be print-making and Performing Arts workshops created for each class that will conclude with a showcase involving drama, dance, and music all to the theme of ‘Travel.’
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Arabella Foote 6C introducting the french horns
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Avalon Pascoe
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Babreck's Got Talent - Clarinet - Elaine Li
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Comedy - Lily Uthmeyer
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Dance - Aimee Davenport, Samara Grinsell, Nina Calvert
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Dance - Anna Roosenburg and Bella Sullivan
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Drama - Elva Zhang, Audrey Crosbie-Goold, Yifei (Sophie) Wang and Amber Jiang
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Genevieve Le
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Barbreck's Got Talent - Voice - Imogen Brownjohn
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Barbreck's Got Talent Dance - Cowgirls
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Barbreck's Got Talent Dance - Scarlett Bertalli, Olivia Bingham and Giselle (Gigi) Armstrong
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Barbreck's Got Talent Term 2 - Allegra Gavilan-Bongiorno and Evie Joseph
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Charlotte Parfit 5IJ Assembly Performance
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Clara Barry 6C Introducting the Bassoons
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Grace Chatfield, Ella Pattison and Francesca Zappone 3SR
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Holly Farrer 6B introducing the flutes
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Isabella Wilkins 5FW - Introducing the clarinets
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Liana Lam (left) and Annika Gill (right) hosting Barbreck's Got Talent (Music Captains 2022)
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Mr Nick Grunden, Head of Music
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Olivia Ren 5FW - Introducing the Oboes
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Roslyn (Rosie) Mokyiu 3SR discussing the how to play and set up the clarinet
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Yifei (Sophie) Wang 4TT
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Summer Pui 5IJ Assembly Performance
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Sylvanas Zhu and Georgia Ktenavos 3SR
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Year 5 Band Concert Term 2
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Year 5 Clarinets
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Year 6 - MSO Excursion - we had a great time on the excursion
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Year 6 at Robert Blackwood Hall (MSO Excursion)
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Year 6 MSO Excursion
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ear 6 seated for the MSO performance - 'Pictures at an Exhibition' Suite by Mussorgsky
