More HSC Success

At the end of last term, we were notified that James Rothacker was nominated by NESA to participate in Encore in 2023. Encore is the Showcase of the best Music performances in the state for the HSC and if successful, students will perform at the Opera House. Congratulations to James, his guitar teacher Karin Braidwood and classroom teacher Ms Sandra Smith.

This now means that all areas in the Performing Arts subjects have received nominations for HSC Major works this year. Outstanding results for our Performing Arts students and their teachers.

Rockfest

This year, BDC entered two bands in Rockfest for the first time ever. Rockfest is an Australia-wide competition for all types of rock bands. This year, our Secondary Rock Band entered their version of “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer

You can watch their entry here:

We also had an entry from Sidetract which is a band featuring Cooper Lane (9) on electric guitar and Frank Lane (6) on drumkit. This group submitted their version of “Psycho” by Muse

You can watch their entry here:

Rockfest received approximately 167 entries this year and I am excited to announce that Sidetract’s version of “Psycho” resulted in them being placed as finalists in the Best Cover Song section. Well done Cooper and Frank.

Joshua Walraven

Congratulations to Joshua Walraven (8) who has won 1st place in the 2022 QMTA Queensland Piano Competition (15 years and under category).

The event is held in Brisbane at the University of Queensland and is one of Queensland’s most prestigious competitions for pianists.

Well done Joshua!

Joshua has also recently been awarded his Licentiate in Music, Australia (LMusA) for Piano Performance.

This is a tertiary level qualification awarded by AMEB to only 10% of candidates who attempt it. The LMusA performance diploma is the highest level you can achieve through the Australian Music Examinations Board, and Joshua has received this at just 14 years of age. 

This has been a huge achievement for Joshua who has worked hard with his teacher, Mimia Margiotta through mostly online lessons.

Congratulations to Joshua on this outstanding achievement

Tily Howard

Congratulations to Tilly Howard (12) who was awarded her AMusA in piano in the holidays. Tilly has worked diligently in preparation for this exam with her piano teacher Alice Jamison. Congratulations Tilly on this outstanding musical achievement.

High Performance Performing Arts students

Congratulations to Camble Scott (9), Cooper Lane (9), Hunter Metcalf (9) and Amelie Carpenter (8) who were officially inducted into the High Performance Performing Arts program at the Secondary Assembly in Week 3. These students have all demonstrated a commitment to the performing arts in the areas and should be congratulated on this recognition.

Honours Ensemble Program

Congratulations to Julius Taylor (7), Amelie Howard (8), Camble Scott (9), Olivia Hoare (9), Marisol Taylor (10) and Imogen Daymond (12) who received certificates for their participation in the Honours Ensemble Program at Griffith University at the Secondary Assembly in week 3. 

In the Term 3 school holidays, these 6 students traveled to Queensland and participated in a 4 day program at the Conservatorium at Griffith University in Brisbane.

During the 4 days, the students were able to work with internationally recognised conductors, participate in masterclasses with the academic staff and represent the school in a grand finale concert wearing their college uniform. 

The students were nominated through the School as our most outstanding young orchestral musicians. They had to be a minimum of Grade 6 AMEB on their instrument to be considered and then had to complete a video audition. BDC was the only school in NSW who had students attend the program.

It was a great experience for our BDC musicians. Well done Julius, Amelie, Camble, Olivia, Marisol and Imogen.

Secondary Assembly Performances

It has been wonderful to have our secondary assemblies back this term and students performing. Thank you so much to Mahi Khobragade who performed at the first assembly this term in week 2. She sang “Point of View” by Ariana Grande. You can view her performance here:

The Secondary Jazz Band performed at the Week 3 assembly. They presented the classic, “Bye Bye Blackbird.” Thank you Jazz students!

Lunchtime Concerts

Lunchtime concerts have resumed for the term. Thank you to Mahi Khobragade who performed at the first lunchtime concert for the term.

Lunchtime concerts for Week 3 showcased a number of piano students who learn from one of our instrumental teachers, Bonnie Nilson. Thank you to Theo Williams (2), Sadie Williams (12), and Olivia Gruber-Styles (9) for performing.

CVAS Excursion

The proposed visit to CVAS in Term 3 unfortunately could not go forward as planned. We have now rescheduled this excursion to Tuesday 29th November (Week 8). All students who perform in the BDC Orchestra, Highly Strung, Jazz Band, Rock Band and Wind Ensemble are to attend this excursion and will be presenting a concert to the students at CVAS in their new Performance Centre. Parents have been sent information about this excursion and are asked to accept permission for their children to attend. This will be such an exciting opportunity for our ensembles to perform for another school and showcase their talents.

Year 3 String program

The students who are currently learning Violin and Cello with Ms Smith as part of the Year 3 string program will present a concert to parents and friends on Thursday 1st December from 5:30pm in the BDC Theatre. Students who have enjoyed the program are invited to continue learning in 2023. Ms Smith will be sending out forms regarding this soon.

Superstrings

Our superstrings ensemble is the string ensemble for our Primary students from Years 5 and 6. These students have been working hard throughout the year and for some students, it is the first time they have played in an ensemble. Students currently in Year 4 who are learning a string instrument are invited to join this group in 2023.

You can see them in action below:

Music Tutor Spotlight

Tony has been a music tutor at BDC since 2017, he teaches guitar, ukulele, bass and songwriting. He also teaches the secondary rock band on Wednesdays and the YR12 HSC preparation band on Mondays. Tony also teaches at St John Paul College and the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium.

Tony grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he completed a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree, in Jazz arranging and composition.

He now has more than 15 years of experience as a music teacher, during which time he has taught Early Childhood music at the International School of Music, as well as in Steiner and Democratic schools. Some of his former pupils have gone on to pursue careers in music.

Tony is also a singer-songwriter who performs under the pseudonym Titan Sky, playing original music at venues and festivals around the East Coast. He has shared audiences with the likes of Baker Boy, Alex The Astronaut and The Teskey Brothers, and has performed alongside Cat Empires’ Ollie McGill. Titan Sky has been played on national radio and can be heard on YouTube and Spotify

Tony has recently been working with a producer to compose music for film, television and advertising, and is being published by a record label in the UK. 

Next year, Tony will be running a week-long songwriting course as a part of Bellingen’s Camp Creative from the 9th to 13th of January for students aged 16+. Students will learn the fundamentals of lyric writing, melody, chords and song structure and will have the opportunity to record their own original songs. Enrollments are now open via the Camp Creative website, if you are interested in applying, please get in quick as there are limited slots available.

If you are interested in one-on-one lessons with Tony during school hours on guitar, ukulele or bass, please fill out the application for music lessons via the BDC website to book a place for 2023.

Camp Creative with Tony Rowley

In the School Holidays from 9-13th January, Camp Creative will be held in Bellingen. At this years Camp Creative, one of the workshops will be run by our very own BDC music tutor, Mr Tony Rowley. He will be running a workshop on songwriting where students will learn to write their own song on their chosen instrument and have the opportunity to collaborate with others, share their songs and have them recorded. This course is suitable for aspiring musicians interested in songwriting or poetry.

Places are limited, so please book by visiting the following link:

https://campcreative.com.au/co...

See the following flyer for more information.

Upcoming Dates for your diary

* Friday 11th November - Remembrance Day

* Tuesday 29th November - BDC Music Ensembles performance at CVAS

* Thursday 1st December - Year 3 Semester 2 Strings Concert from 5:30pm in Theatre

* Thursday 8th December - Primary Presentation Day

* Friday 9th December - Secondary Presentation Day

* Monday 12th December - BDC Christmas Service and Carols Evening

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts