What an amazing Term 2 we have had for Performing Arts. It seems that after covid restrictions easing and a term of practising and rebuilding, we have taken all opportunities for performing arts students this term. We have had Eisteddfod success and at the time of writing this newsletter article, the Dance sessions have not finished so we will await results for these students next term. 

Other events where our performing arts students have been involved in this term have included Year 3 Strings concert, Brass and Woodwind Soiree, Piano Soiree, Lunchtime concerts, assemblies, Anzac Day service, Foundation Day, World Options Showcase evening, Senior Drama Production, Adam Herd Masterclass on songwriting, Mothers Day Breakfast, Dance Academy Launch and visit from Sydney Dance Company, CVAS Performing Arts day at BDC, BDC Open Day, HICES visiting deputy principals, just to name a few!

Instrumental and Vocal Eisteddfod results

The successes from the Eisteddod keep rolling in. We had numerous BDC students enter sections in both the instrumental and vocal sessions of the Eisteddfod with outstanding results overall.

Many of our BDC students were also awarded major prizes which is amazing. Congratulations to all of our instrumental and vocal students!

Results include:

Instrumental Eisteddfod Results 2022

Schools Instrumental Sections - Primary Schools - One Piece - 25 students
Highly Commended - BDC Superstrings

Schools Instrumental Sections - High Schools - One Piece - 5-25 students
Highly Commended - BDC Highly Strung

Schools Instrumental Sections - Year 9/10 Music Class Group
Highly Commended - BDC World Options

Schools Instrumental Sections - Year 11/12 Music Class Group
Highly Commended - BDC Year 12

Instrumental Solos - Novice 10 years and under (less than 12 months tuition)
Highly Commended - Claude Taylor (year 3)
Highly Commended - Devarat Chavan (year 2)

Instrumental Solos - Novice 12 years and under (less than 12 months)
3rd place - Daniel Vivas-Gutierrez (year 6)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Prior to 1900 - 10 years and under
1st place - Sophia Walraven (year 5)
Highly Commended - Claude Taylor (year 3)
Highly Commended - Phoebe Tobin (year 5)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: Prior to 1900 - 12 years and under
Highly Commended - Simon Vivas-Gutierrez (year 6)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Post 1900 - 10 years and under
Highly Commended - Sophia Walraven (year 5)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Post 1900 - 12 years and under
Highly Commended - Daniel Vivas-Gutierrez (year 6)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: post 1900 - 12 years and under
2nd place - Simon Vivas-Gutierrez (year 6)
Highly Commended - Katie Hodgson (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Preliminary and 1st Grade or equivalent
1st place - Claude Taylor (year 3)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade or equivalent
Highly Commended - Daniel Vivas-Gutierrez (year 6)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: 2nd grade and 3rd grade or equivalent
Highly Commended - Ila Greenaway (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: 4th grade and 5th grade or equivalent
1st place - Katie Hodgson (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Prior to 1900 - 14 years and under
1st place - Julius Taylor (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: Prior to 1900 - 14 years and under
Highly Commended - Amelie Howard (year 8)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: Post 1900 - 14 years and under
1st place - Amelie Howard (year 8)
Highly Commended - Ila Greenaway (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: Prior to 1900 - 16 years and under
1st place - Marisol Taylor (year 10)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: Prior to 1900 - 16 years and under
1st place - Tilly Howard (year 11)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: 6th grade and 7th grade or equivalent
2nd place - Julius Taylor (year 7)

Instrumental Solos - Strings: 8th Grade and Higher
Highly Commended - Marisol Taylor (year 10)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: 6th Grade and 7th Grade or equivalent
1st place - Camble Scott (year 9)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: 8th Grade and Higher
1st place - Tilly Howard (year 11)

Instrumental Solos - Woodwind / Brass: Post 1900 - 16years and under
1st place - Tilly Howard (year 11)

Instrumental Championships - Junior Eisteddfod Championship - 14 years and under Wind Instrument, Two contrasting pieces
3rd place - Amelie Howard

Instrumental Championships - Junior Eisteddfod Championship - 14 years and under String Instrument, Two contrasting pieces
2nd place - Julius Taylor (year 7)

Instrumental Championships - Senior Eisteddfod Championship - 20 years and under, any instrument, 2 contrasting pieces
2nd place - Tilly Howard (year 11)
3rd place - Camble Scott (year 9)

MAJOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod Wind Scholarship
Amelie Howard (year 8)

Inspired Performance Award
Tilly Howard (year 11)

SSO (Sydney Symphony Orchestra) Educational Excellence Award
Camble Scott (year 9)

Coffs Harbour String Scholarship
Marisol Taylor (year 10)

Vocal Eisteddfod Results 2022:

Self-accompanied solo
2nd:Angela Tobin (year 7)

10 years musical theatre
1st:Jade Messner (year 5)
Highly commended: Sierra Cooke (year 5)

12 years and under Vocal Duo
1st:Calamity Thorncraft and Sierra Cooke (year 5)

10 years vocal solo
1st: Jade Messner (year 5)

10 years animated film song
Highly commended: Sierra Cooke (year 5)

10 years MAJOR AWARDS
Most potential: Jade Messner (year 5)

12 years Musical theatre
1st: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
3rd:Angela Tobin (year 7)

12 years Vocal solo
1st: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
H/C: Angela Tobin (year 7), Adelaide Robinson (year 6)

12 years Classical Song
2nd:Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
H/C: Angela Tobin (year 7)

12 years Folk Song
1st:Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
2nd:Adelaide Robinson (year 6)
H/C:  Angela Tobin (year 7)

12 years Australian Song
1st: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
H/C: Angela Tobin (year 7) 

12 years Sacred Song
1st: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)

12 years Popular song
1st: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)
3rd: Angela Tobin (year 7)

12 YEARS MAJOR AWARDS
12 years Championship winner: Mia O’Reilly (year 6)

James Hall memorial award for junior musical theatre:
Mia O’Reilly (year 6)

Overall excellence:
Mia O’Reilly (year 6)

14 years Australian song
1st: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Sacred Song
1st: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Vocal solo
1st: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Classical song
1st: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Folk Song
2nd: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Animated film song
2nd:Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Vocal Duo
1st: Makaylah Beatty and Ella Grace-Chowdhury (year 9)

14 years Popular song
1st:Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 years Musical Theatre
1st: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

14 YEARS MAJOR AWARDS
Championship winner: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)
Overall Vocal Excellence: Hunter Metcalf (year 9)

16 years Classical song
1st: Lily Hibbard (year 9)
Highly Commended: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)

16 years Vocal solo
1st: Lily Hibbard (year 9)
H/C: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)

16 years Folk Song
1st:Lilly Hibbard (year 9)
H/C: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)

16 years Musical theatre
1st: Lily Hibbard (year 9)
2nd: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)

16 YEARS MAJOR AWARDS
Championship winner: Lily Hibbard (year 9)
Runner up: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)
Overall excellence: Lily Hibbard (year 9)
Vocal Excellence: Mahi Khobragade (year 10)
James Hall memorial award for musical theatre: Lily Hibbard (year 9)

17 to 24 years popular song
2nd: Imogen Daymond (year 12)

17 to 24 years Musical Theatre
1st: Imogen Daymond (year 12)
2nd: Jessica Joice (year 12)

17 to 24 years Folk song
1st: Imogen Daymond (year 12)

17 to 24 years Australian song
1st: Imogen Daymond (year 12)

17 to 24 years animated film song
1st: Jessica Joice (year 12)

17 to 24 years vocal solo
1st:Jessica Joice (year 12)
2nd: Imogen Daymond (year 12)

17 to 24 years classical song
1st: Imogen Daymond (year 12)

Open Age Duo
1st:Imogen Daymond and Jessica Joice (year 12)

17 to 24 YEARS MAJOR AWARDS
Championship Winner: Imogen Daymond (year 12)
Vocal excellence: Imogen Daymond (year 12)
James Hall memorial award for Senior best overall musical theatre: Imogen Daymond (year 12)
Overall vocal excellence and performance award: Jessica Joice (year 12)

Secondary Assembly performances

Thank you to all of the students who have performed at the secondary assemblies this term. The last two performances have been Mahi Khobregade and Sureyya Brennan (year 10) performing their own composition and The BDC Wind Ensemble performing The Toreador Song.

You can view their performances below:

We already have some students signed up for Term 3. If you are interested in performing at Secondary assembly next term, please come and see the staff in the music department.

Senior Drama Production

Well done to the Year 11 Senior Drama Class for their recent productions. The class presented two group performances on Monday - one to students in the day and then one to parents in the evening. The students did a great job and presented polished, confident performances to their audiences. Thank you to the Drama staff for their work in preparing the students.

Year 3 Semester 1 Strings

Last Tuesday evening, the students in 3SD and 3W presented a concert to their parents and grandparents showcasing what they have learned on their violins and cellos this semester. The students performed a half-hour concert and did an amazing job. For some of these students, it was the first time they have ever performed! The Year 4 string students also joined the concert to play alongside the Year 3s and they also presented 4 pieces they have been working on this semester as well.

Thank you to Ms Sandra Smith for all of her hard work in preparing the students and organising the concert.

Students in 3SD and 3W do have the option of continuing to learn violin or cello in semester 2. Ms Smith has sent a letter home regarding this but if you need more information, please contact Ms Smith on ssmith@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Students in 3N will learn strings in Semester 2.

SHEP Success

Congratulations to Imogen Daymond (12) who has successfully gained a position at the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) to be held at Griffith University later in the year. Imogen is a vocalist and has auditioned to be part of the program for the last 3 years. She was successful every year however due to covid restrictions, was not able to attend. Imogen is so excited that in her final year at BDC she has been accepted again and will be able to attend. Well done Imogen.

Ensembles Visit to CVAS

On Friday 5th August, our senior BDC Ensembles will travel to CVAS and do a concert for the students there. More information to come regarding this next term!

Leadership Induction Service - Term 3

The Leadership Induction Service will be held Thursday Week 1 Term 3. The Primary Performance Choir, Highly Strung and some selected dancers will be performing at this service. Music students will be required to wear their performance shirts for this service. 

Baby News!

Congratulations to our amazing guitar teacher, Tony Rowley, and his wife Julia on the delivery of their baby girl Hazel on Wednesday 15th June at 5:25pm. Mum and bub are doing well. Congrats Tony and Jules!

Bellingen Improvised Music Festival

The Bellingen Improvised Music Festival (BIMF!) is on again this year from 16th - 17th July at the Bellingen Showgrounds. There will be FREE workshops open to youth ages 12-25 from Regional NSW on Saturday 16th July:

Rhythm with Greg Sheehan - 10am - 11am

Harmony with Oscar Eager - 11:15am - 12:15pm

Improvisation with Sandy Evans - 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Register for the workshops via https://events.humanitix.com/bimf-youth-workshops

Saturday night local sound journey ($20 / $10)

Performances by talented local musicians and BDC music tutors Pablo Blitzer (piano), joined by Pete Skelton (drumkit) and Danny Stitt (Double Bass), playing Pablo’s original compositions. 

Tickets can be purchased at: https://events.humanitix.com/bimf-local-sounds

Tutor Spotlight

“The bass, no matter what kind of music you're playing, it just enhances the sound and makes everything sound more beautiful and full. When the bass stops, the bottom kind of drops out of everything.”

Charlie Haden

My name is Danny Stitt, 

I've been teaching bass guitar and double bass at BDC for the past 4 years and I am passionate about all things bass. I particularly love to teach jazz, funk and soul music but I'm happy to engage with what ever styles my students are interested in. The bass has such a strong function across all styles of music and is a really fun and rewarding instrument to learn. My goal in teaching is that all my students leave a lesson inspired to play and learn.

I grew up in Coffs Harbour in a musical family and had my first lessons on bass at Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium, although I am largely a self taught musician and learnt by ear. 

In 2005 I moved to Sydney to pursue a career in music and formed an original band called Uncle Jed with my brother and cousin. In this time I learned what it takes to write and record original music, tour with working musicians and manage a band from the ground up along with my brother and cousin. A challenging but rewarding experience. In 2013 Uncle Jed won reality tv show Australia's Got Talent and we have all worked as full time musicians since. 

Once having a family of my own, my wife and I decided it was time to move back to beautiful Coffs Harbour where I have been working as a teacher and freelance musician and I love every minute of my job.

I have also teamed up with amazing Brass teacher Georgie Chorley to start BDC's jazz ensemble.

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts