Diana Springford – Director of Music P-12

Welcome to our Music Matters page! 🎶

We are so looking forward to the new year in Music: We have new teachers with us, and our department structure has changed a little bit too so even those of us who haven’t moved on, are in for a fresh beginning. You know that we, sadly, farewelled Mr Danny Burley at the end of last year. Below is an introduction to our new teachers and the new roles we are taking on.  

Miss Corinne Ellul is our new Kornmehl – Year 8 Music Teacher. Miss Ellul is an accomplished oboist, having graduated from the Guildhall School of Music with a performance major in oboe, and is also an excellent player of cor anglaise, flute, saxophone, clarinet and piano. (I believe she would like to work on her bassoon playing!) She is an experienced and highly regarded instrumental tutor and ensemble conductor and has already built a rich, interesting, and creative resume as a music teacher and leader at the British School of Amsterdam and The Henry Box School in Oxfordshire UK.

Ms Lisa McCowage is our new Assistant Director of Music (Extra-Curricular) and, as her title implies, she will be our leader for the Extra-Curricular side of the music program. She has built an admirable reputation as High School teacher and Head of Bands at St Catherine’s in Waverley, where she managed their extensive band program and conducted their most senior ensembles. In previous moments of her life, she has been a successful professional clarinetist, performing regularly with Opera Australia and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Please see Lisa’s separate article titled “Message from the Assistant Director of Music (Extra Curricular) 2024”.

Mr Remington Owen, having returned from a term of paternity leave, will be back with us doing his usual Music teaching and support of our event organisation. What is new is that he will now be our Years 3-6 Instrument Program (IP) Coordinator for 2024. (Please see his page in Ma Nishma for his inaugural piece in this role.) He is also further expanding upon, and sharing, his choral expertise this year, taking on the conductor role for both Senior Choir and Senior Chamber Choir. He will also be our Music Director for the forthcoming (and top secret) Primary School Musical so therefore quite busy in 2024!

Mrs Sarit Spira will continue her usual Tuesdays and Wednesdays with us, but for 2024 will be taking on the (massive) role of Producer for the forthcoming (top secret) Primary School Musical. She is already incredibly busy, and you may hear from her over the coming weeks with an important announcement.

We are also happy to announce that the wonderful pianist, Mr Antonio Fernandez, is back with us to teach piano and accompany many choirs.