Page 20 - 2021 - Altiora Vol 73 Sem 1 and 2

20 |
20 | MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS

O LIVE PERFORMANCES
COME RETURN T
WELCOME RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES
WEL
Following the disappointments of cancelled rehearsals and events in 2020, the students in our Music ensembles
were keen to return to live performances, starting with the Chamber Ensemble, who performed for guests at
our annual Icebreakers Evening in February.
In April, Jazz Ensemble Music Tutor, Mr Neill Duncan and students Alastair Bowman (Year 12, saxophone),
Nathan Hilder (Year 9, guitar), Jack Laurie (Year 9, saxophone) and Jonathan McHugh (Year 9, drums) took
their Jazz Ensemble on the road to a private garden party for Indian medical professionals in Springwood. The
autumn weather was divine and the audience very lively with lots of dancing. They were very appreciative of the
high standard of playing and that students had given of their time during the holidays to perform.

MASTERCLASS FOR MARY
MASTER CLASS FOR MARY
Also in April, talented pianist Mary Smallhorn
(Year 12), accompanied by her piano teacher
Alison Lockwood, had the privilege of meeting and
performing before Ms Elena Kats-Chernin for a
masterclass.
Mary performed her HSC piece Alexander’s Rag,
which is composed by Ms Kats-Chernin, who is
known for her generosity and encouragement
in helping help young musicians celebrate and
finesse their talents.
Ms Kats-Chernin shared the process she follows
to compose her music, and is currently working
on a piece commissioned by the Queensland
Symphony Orchestra based on a newly discovered Beethoven work. At the end of the Masterclass, Ms Kats-
Chernin performed a section of this new work, and it was an additional treat for Mary to be one of the first to
hear this new composition.
VES
MUSIC AMONGST THE AUTUMN LEAVES
MUSIC AMONGST THE A
UTUMN LEA
The annual Springwood Rotary garden event, Music Amongst the Autumn Leaves, took place on Sunday, 2 May
nd
at “The Old Farm”, Yellow Rock.
Sponsored by Lower Blue Mountains Rotary, Music Among the Autumn Leaves is hosted by the Ingram family
on their picturesque property and aims to showcase and support the musical talents of secondary school
students in the Blue Mountains. Guests bring a picnic lunch, with proceeds donated to the Music Departments
of participating schools.
BMGS ensembles have participated in this event for many years and this year it was the School’s Stage Band, led
by Mrs Debbie Smith (Head of Music) and Rock Band (tutored by Mr Cameron Smith, BMGS Alumnus 2016),
who were featured on the afternoon’s program, together with a wonderful guitar solo performance by William
Louis (Year 9). This was the first public appearance by the School’s Rock Band, who were very warmly received
by patrons.
Several of the students were ‘backing up’ from the previous night’s final performance of the School’s major
production of Much Ado About Nothing, however, their accomplished and energetic performances belied their
busy week, impressing an appreciative audience.