We have farewelled our Year 12 students at a number of beautiful events this week.

The Valedictory Dinner was a magnificent evening reflecting the hard work of many people. We thank 2016 School Pianist Ying You (Jenny) Wang for playing the Ode for the Year 12 cohort who sang beautifully and, it must be said, with excellent pitch and musicality!

Tuesday’s Years 9 to 12 Speech Night was another inspiring evening, with the combined forces of the Jorgensen Orchestra and the Senior Concert Band providing processional and recessional music for the official party, staff and Year 12 girls.

The moving gospel-inspired piece Roads was beautifully performed by Viva Voci and Cantanti Belli, and the Year 12 Choir, led by Ruby Smith, was admirably accompanied by Auto-no-maus in their rendition of See You Again by Charlie Puth. Greta Chen and Stephanie Hird decided to put their creative heads together and share a last performance of Monti’s Czardas, given that both girls have this piece in the VCE Unit repertoire. Greta’s practical examination was held last Sunday and Stephanie and Sabine Harm’s recitals are imminent. Once again, it is worth noting the consistent effort of these girls in what has been a stellar year of solo performances.

We would also like to thank Stephanie for her excellent leadership of the Jorgensen Orchestra and Senior Strings, and it is timely to thank Mrs Lisa Cook, our Head of Strings, for all of her hard work in mentoring Stephanie in this role, which is far more complicated than it first appears.

We are pleased to announce the 2017 Leader of the Jorgensen Orchestra. Emily Barrington has been a wonderful ensemble player for the School, playing violin in both the Jorgensen Orchestra and the Senior Strings for five years. She continues to work on her violin repertoire after the success of her Concerto performance in 2015 and we look forward to her leadership in this vital role in 2017.

Students from Years 7 to 11 are reminded that they should ensure they have an audition time over the next few weeks for any ensembles that they wish to be a part of in 2017. If possible, students should not be anxious about this process, but view it as an opportunity to share musical goals.

Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance on any matter relating to the Performing Arts. The Administrator’s number is 9828 3014 and you may also email – music@stcatherines.net.au with any queries.

Dates – Term 4

Years 7 and 8 Recital – Tuesday 8 November – Myer Studio

PFA Christmas Party – Friday 18 November

Years 7 and 8 Awards Assembly – Tuesday 29 November – Dorothy Pizzey Hall

House Arts Performance – Tuesday 6 December – Dorothy Pizzey Hall

Senior School Christmas Service – Wednesday 7 December – Toorak Uniting Church

Music Auxiliary Annual General Meeting

The St Catherine’s School Music Auxiliary 2016 AGM will be held in the Sherren House Dining Room on Wednesday 9 November from 6.30pm.

Members of the St Catherine’s Music Auxiliary and the School community are welcome to express interest in nominating for an executive position in 2017.

To print a nomination form click here. For any enquiries please contact Dr Larissa Roeske, President, St Catherine’s Music Auxiliary on 0401 085 005.