Lisa McCowage – Assistant Director of Music (Extra Curricular) K-12

Welcome to our Music Matters page! 🎶

Here and on our portal page, you will find announcements about our busy Music program, so please check in regularly.

Recent student performances

Mendelssohn String Quartet performed beautifully for the New Parent Breakfast earlier this term. Jazz Combo conducted by Mr Nikolopoulos, played for the Primary School Open Day as well as Junior Choir, conducted by Ms Spira, who sang Yachad. Kol Hakavod to the selection of Primary School musicians whose solo performances welcomed the guests into the Theatre before the formal presentations: Elise Cromerwong (Year 2), Myles Borovic, Yasha Galperin and Lior Kaunitz (Year 3), Talia Cromerwong and Jacob Marmot (Year 4), Abbie Schnapp (Year 5) and Nathan Shammay (Year 6).

Mazal tov to the Year 10-11 Rock Band who wrote and performed All Fours with great style and intensity at High School Assembly on Tuesday morning: watch here The sound engineering for this performance was managed with great finesse by Aaron Berkowitz, with assistance from Rory Nathan and Dylan Budai. This group has a musical life outside of school under the name “OFF IT”. They have a big gig at the Bondi Pavilion this Saturday evening.

OFF IT performance
At the Bondi Pavilion this Saturday evening!

Our Year 10-12 Rock Band performs professionally (yes!) under the name “OFF IT”. They are performing on Saturday evening at the Bondi Pavilion for an event they have helped organise; the “Bondi Beach Bash” which features five young bands from 6.30 pm until late for Youth Week. The event culminates in a performance by OFF IT at 9.30 pm. They would our support – you register for this free event at here.

Congratulations to all students who were selected to perform at the Music Competition Finals Concerts (K-6 and Y-12) on Wednesday. Look out for the separate article about that and announcing the winners for each age category at the start of Term 2.

For your diaries!

• Twilight Concerts (tutor-nominated performances) – Monday 27 May 2024.
• Music Camp – Monday 24 June 2024 – Thursday 27 June 2024

Music Camp – CRU@ Lake Macquarie
Monday 24 June 2024 – Thursday 27 June 2024

Please see our separate article about Music Camp 2024 – due date to apply is Friday 3 May 2024.

An information note has been sent to parents of eligible students, including the procedure for registering to attend. If you have not received this email (sent on Thursday 4 April 2024), please email Mrs de Araujo including your child’s name, year group and their ensemble or choir name.

Term 2 dates 

Weekly ensemble rehearsals and Private Music Tuition resume as normal on the first day of Term, Thursday 2 May 2024. This is especially important for those whose weekly rehearsals are on a Thursday, including Mendelssohn Senior String Ensemble and Perlman Strings which resume bright and early (before school) on that day.

The Instrumental Program (IP) for Years 3-6 will resume on these dates:

• Tuesday: Year 3 and Year 5. Their first IP day is Tuesday 7 May 2024 (Week 2).
• Wednesday: Year 4 and Year 6. Their first IP day is Wednesday 8 May 2024 (Week 2).

Private Music Tuition and Infant Strings Program

Thank you to those who have already advised us of changes to private tuition and Infant Strings Program enrolments for next term.  The deadline for new enrolments, notification of changes or intention to discontinue for Term 2, has now passed. All students currently receiving private music tuition and students in Years K-2 who are currently participating in the Infant Strings Program will be automatically re-enrolled into tutor schedules along with students commencing lessons for the first time. Please contact music@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au  if you have any questions.  

The schedules for Term 2 will be created at the end of term and emailed during term break.

Please visit our Music Portal Page for information about:

• Private Music Tuition (beginning and discontinuing)
• Ensemble and Choir membership for K-12 students
• Infant Strings Program (ISP) for K-2
• Performance opportunities
• Borrowing an orchestral instrument