Music Matters
Diana Springford – Director of Music P-12
Welcome to our Music Matters page! 🎶
Please read our separate article announcing the Years K–12 Music Competition winners.
Yom Ha’atzmaut Carnival
Last Sunday 30 April 2023 at the Yom Ha’atzmaut Concert and Carnival, organised by the Zionist Council of NSW, two Emanuel ensembles performed for an audience of over 3,000 attendees.
The Entertainment Quarter came alive for Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations. The event was packed with carnival rides, kids’ activities, lots of delicious Israeli food and of course – wonderful music!
A summary of the day by Jazzy Goodman and Sophia Rule (Year 6):
We arrived early for sound checks. The Junior Chamber Choir were scheduled to be first to perform and we were so excited! After the sound check, we had time to eat lunch out in the sun that was shining brightly for this special day.
Just before 2.00 pm, Ms Girle, our conductor, walked us to the stage. We felt very privileged (and a little nervous!) to represent Emanuel performing Mayim Mayim, accompanied by the violin, in front of such a large crowd in a very festive atmosphere.
After our performance, we had time to participate in some wonderful Yom Ha’atzmaut activities before watching the Emanuel Klezmer Band with Mr Owen. The Klezmer Band entertained everyone with the Hora and their awesome rendition of our Emanuel school song in Klezmer style!
The Emanuel Junior Chamber Choir had an amazing time performing at this special concert and carnival. We are thrilled that so many Emanuel music students were given this wonderful opportunity to represent our school. We all had a fabulous day! Thank you especially to Ms Springford, Ms Girle and Mr Owen who made the day come together so well. The festival was a great success and 10/10 fun!
Watch the performances here:
Junior Chamber Choir singing “Mayim Mayim”
Conducted by Ms Alice Girle, accompanied by Ms Natalya Aynsley and Sophia Rule (Year 6).
Klezmer Ensemble (Ella Bortz, Suzi Garbuz, Maya Hersch, Johnny Menczel – all Year 9, plus Aaron Berkowitz, Ben Fram, Josh Ottaviano and Ariel Solomon – Year 10) conducted by Mr Remington Owen – brought the house down!
Professional photographs of this event were taken by Sam Babus.
JCA Major Donors Fundraiser
Another superb recent performance was by Jonathan Levy (Year 10) who played solo saxophone for over an hour on the forecourt of the new wing to the Art Gallery of NSW, welcoming donors to the JCA Major Donors Fundraiser dinner – mazal tov!
ANZAC Day Service and March
Aaron Berkowitz (Year 10) participated in both the ANZAC Day Coogee dawn service and the Sydney CBD March with the Air Force Cadets 3 Wing (NSW and ACT) Band.
Aaron’s description of the experience:
“I was a member of the Catafalque Party at the Coogee dawn service, holding a .303 rifle for the entire service from 5.30 am – 7.00 am. The dawn service had approximately 10,000 people in attendance with even more watching online. I then went into the city to play tuba in the Sydney CBD Anzac Day March with the Australian Air Force Cadets 3 Wing (NSW and ACT) Band, leading the Royal Australian Air Force Contingent in the march. The band had been at RAAF Base Richmond for a week to practice for the march and a concert. It was a great experience which I hope to repeat next year.”
We are so proud of all our performers, and we appreciate the many hours of practice required to represent our School in this exemplary way.
Music Camp
Monday 19 June 2023 – Thursday 22 June 2023 (Week 9)
We’ve had a wonderful response and a large group of talented students from Years 4 -12 are registered to attend. Bookings for Music Camp have closed. The deadline was Friday 28 April 2023 and our participants list is being finalised. If you are unsure whether you have registered your child, please ask them to check the list of attendees on the pinboard in the Music Department. An information letter was sent to existing members of our ensembles and choirs who have made a year-long commitment to those ensembles.
On Monday 15 May 2023, parents of all participants will receive an important email about dietary requirements, with a link to the venue catering survey. Very detailed information will be in the cover email, and you will be asked to confirm whether the vegetarian menu we have chosen – which includes fish – will be suitable for your child, and/or whether your child has additional special dietary requirements. A response is required for each child.
A detailed packing list will be sent to attendees in Week 6.
Parents and carers, please remember to put the Music Camp Showcase Concert in your diary for Thursday 22 June 2022, from 5.45 pm – 8.00 pm.
For your diary
- Twilight Concerts (tutor-nominated performances): Monday 15 May 2023
- · Music Camp: Monday 19 June 2023 – Thursday 22 June 2023