The month of May has been a busy one with staff and students involved in many school, community and NECOM events. The Bach Festival provided performance opportunities for most of our staff members as sectional leaders and players for the Armidale Symphony Orchestra’s performance and in other chamber ensemble performances. Alumni violinist, Eliza Scott, gave a brilliant performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with Armidale Symphony Orchestra to a packed audience at the St Mary’s and Joseph’s Cathedral.
Our Year 12 HSC students continue to have the opportunity to perform their exam programs at community centres such as the Jacaranda Club with more to come in June. As the Armidale Eisteddfod approached our teachers held Studio Concerts and supported students performing at local schools for their “ in-house “ concerts providing essential performance practice.
Congratulations to all the outstanding performances during the recent Armidale Eisteddfod. For the string players, in particular, it was a privilege to have Michele Walsh from Qld Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University as adjudicator. Michele is one of the most highly sought-after teachers in Australia at tertiary level for violin and viola students. She was very impressed with the level of teaching being delivered in Armidale and the high level of performance as a result. Some of our senior violin and viola students were lucky enough to each get a private lesson with Michele before she flew back to Brisbane.
As a first time initiative, the Sydney String Centre was invited to set up shop during the string section of the Armidale Eisteddfod. The response to their visit was fantastic with many instruments booked in for service on the spot, instruments bought and much-needed accessories made available such as shoulder rests, chin rests, strings, rosin, cases etc. The three Sydney String Centre staff members, Doug, Alex and Thomas (who travelled by car with a trailer attached from Sydney for the 2-day popup shop) are to be applauded for their tireless effort and goodwill in ensuring everyone was catered for including checking over NECOM’s storeroom of instruments. We are hoping that they will continue to visit Regional North West NSW annually after such a successful weekend. When in Sydney please remember to call into the SSC for any further needs or go online for purchases.
For the remainder of the term a heads up for Scales Parties for students preparing for AMEB exams in early term 3. Your teachers will inform you shortly of the dates and times.
Mock AMEB exams will also start up in last week of Term 2 and the first week back of Term 3 so please watch out for further details.
Congratulations to alumni student Ziggy Harris who has been awarded a Rotary grant to go towards his tertiary music studies. He is currently attending the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in his first year of study.