Semester One Ensembles Concert
As the new semester begins, we reflect on the hard work of Semester One, culminating in two wonderful Ensembles concerts for both Junior school and Senior school at the end of Term 2. On the back of a very successful eisteddfod experience, our ensembles celebrated with two concerts for the Meriden community.
The Senior School ensembles concert appropriately titled ‘Between Earth and Orbit’ was a resounding success and the highlight of the evening was the premiere of the newly commissioned work for Chamber Strings ‘An Eccentric Orbit’ by our composer, Dr Huw Belling.
Themed ‘Harmony Across Horizons’, the Junior School ensembles showcased their varied repertoire from traditional jazz standards to contemporary strings from composer Soon Hee Newbold. The Percussion ensemble delighted the audience with an engaging performance composed by Mrs Michelle Rollins.
Congratulations to all students who performed to celebrate the exceptional musicianship of our ensembles.
AUSTA Cello Masterclass
On 19 June, we were delighted to host two public masterclasses presented by the Australian String Teachers Association (NSW), featuring the internationally acclaimed cellist Maximilian Hornung. Nine young cellists including Rena Moore (Class of 2021) and current student Jenny Li (Year 8) were selected to work with Mr Hornung on playing, interpretation and artistry. It was an honour for Meriden to host such a prestigious event. Thank you to our Head of Strings, Mrs Angela Cassar for her organisation and collaboration with the association.
From Juilliard to Concerto Success
Connie Liu has just returned from the Julliard School in New York after a three-week conservatory program as a violin major. Juilliard is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading performing arts institutions, and the program brought together talented young musicians from around the globe to experience life as a conservatory student. Connie studied with Julliard faculty, alumni and distinguished guest artists. One of her favourite parts of the three weeks was the masterclasses, where she had the opportunity to work with Ani Kavafian from the Yale School of Music and rehearsing of the Trout Quintet with Emanuel Ax, a chamber music specialist who performs regularly with YoYo Ma and Isaac Stern.
Prior to this three-week program, on Sunday 28 June, Connie performed in the finals of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic’s Secondary Schools Concerto competition and achieved the overall prize winner. Connie’s performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto was outstanding, and she confidently led the orchestra with conviction and musical style. Connie received $6000 and an engagement to perform with the orchestra next year. This is a wonderful achievement for Meriden on the back of Old Girl Teresa Yang’s performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the orchestra this year.
Organ Concert Series: Auckland NZ
Cynthia Bui in Year 11, travelled to Auckland in the July school holidays, to represent Australia at the Organ Concert Series: Rising Stars, held at Auckland Town Hall. She played major works from J.S Bach and Vierne. As a three time winner of the Sydney Organ competition, Cynthia represented Australia in this Rising Stars program.
Staff News
Our very own Tenor Horn extraordinaire, Ms Nicky Abkiewicz represented Australia in the World Music Competition in Kerkrade, in The Netherlands. Ms Abkiewicz was among 35 of the finest brass players from all over Australia and performed traditional brass repertoire and an Indigenous work, Dreamtime with a didgeridoo soloist in this prestigious competition with brass bands represented from all over the world.
Dr Huw Belling our resident composer, has also been busy working with his Opera Company, Sydney Chamber Opera on a production of The Oresteia by Australian composer, Liza Lim. The opera is based on the ancient Greek tragedy by Aeschylus and explores themes of justice, vengeance, and the consequences of violence in this contemporary production.
AMEB Results
At the end of last term, Year 11 violist, Charlotte Kang achieved her AmusA with Distinction and Sophia Wang in Year 8 achieved her AmusA on violin.
Congratulations to Clarice Zhong in Year 5 who achieved her AmusA on cello with a distinction. This is following her success completing her AMusA on piano last year. An outstanding achievement for such a young musician.
Supporting Our Senior Students Towards HSC Success
We are looking forward to a wonderful term of rehearsals and supporting our Year 12 Music and Drama students as they complete projects, participate in final rehearsals and prepare for their practical examinations for the Higher School certificate this term.
