On Wednesday 12 November students from the Sacred Heart String Department made the trip across to our neighbours at the RM Begg Aged Care Home. Accompanied by Pauline Griffiths, our incredible String Teacher and Josh McGuffie, Head of Music; the students performed a 30 minute concert that delighted the residents. From the formal strains of Handel to jaunty Irish dances and nostalgic scenes from childhood by Schumann, the program received hearty applause. After the concert students were then able to stay and chat to the residents and promises were made to return soon. We thank Pauline Griffiths for organizing this important community outreach event and the staff and residents at RM Begg for their warm welcome and appreciation.

On the evening of Wednesday 12 November, the Sacred Heart Music Department presented their annual Instrumental Showcase Recitals across the School. Three recitals ran concurrently. Performing in the Chapel were vocal students of Jess Demare, piano and brass students of Sue Morris and woodwind students of Sarah Gill. In the Mary Moloney Theatre were drum students of Elizabeth Dynon and Andrew Rousch, string students of Pauline Griffiths and piano students of Anna Zuidland. In the Music Classroom were guitar students of Mark Roberts and Tim Allan. As Head of Music, it was a joy for me to see Sacred Heart’s Music Students taking the stage in all three venues. I saw some students bravely undertaking their very first live performances, others expertly delivering complex music that had required hours of dedicated practice and, most importantly, all students supporting and encouraging each other throughout.

An evening of such complexity requires a team and I send my heartfelt thanks to the Instrumental Music Staff for their expert teaching and their support in setting up and managing each venue and the programming of each recital. Thank you also to Freya Egberts for logistical and photographic support and to Steven Huntly for, amongst many other things, helping to move two very heavy pianos!

Finally, a dedicated thank you to the many families and friends who attended the evening. The study of an instrument is a very private and personal thing, until it comes time to share that work with an audience, whereupon it becomes a very human, and very special connection with others. You taking the time to attend the evening creates the atmosphere for this connection to blossom and is deeply appreciated. The Sacred Heart Musicians greatly look forward to seeing you all at the next performance!