Category Archives: Music

Jazzing Up Assembly

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Yet again this year we have had the pleasure of witnessing some impressive musical talent. Earlier in the year, Duncan Butler (Hunters Hill) took to the stage at assembly in front of the whole school and as our second Year 7 boy to do this in one term, he certainly did us all proud.

I was just reviewing the video and a couple of things stuck in my mind. First and foremost was the amazing performance itself – it really was first class. The second thing that struck me was hearing that Duncan has been playing the flute for just three years. I’m sure that you’ll agree when you see the performance that this is quite incredible. It is certainly evidence of the effort and application that Duncan shows towards his music.

This video comes with a confession and apology … this is a performance I have been planning to put up on the blog for a whole term but haven’t been able to. So not only my congratulations to Duncan but also my apologies for taking so long to put this one up. Having said that … good things come to those who wait and I am confident that as you bop along to this jazz piece you will agree it was worth the wait. Enjoy!

Joseph and the Amazing Year 7s

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When you go to a school musical I think it would be safe to say that you don’t take your seat expecting anything too outstanding. When it comes to the music you would be expecting some wrong notes. The occasional off notes in singing would be the norm. The acting at times may make you cringe. And the dancing, particularly in a boys’ school, is likely to be in desperate need some rhythm.

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However, for those who were lucky enough to see the College’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat would have experienced nothing apart from sheer enjoyment. I have seen many high school musicals and I can say without any doubt at all that this was the best I have ever seen. In fact back in 1993 I remember being dragged to watch Tina Arena and David Dixon star in the broadway professional production at Her Majesty’s Theatre and I loved it. Therefore seeing it in an amateur production had the potential to ruin it for me. I can tell you that the Joeys version only made me enjoy it more.

One of the great things about the Joeys production was the involvement of boys from every year group. In Year 7 we were strongly represented with twelve of our boys being involved. In the chorus we had Tom Mutch (West Pennant Hills), Alastair Dunstan (Putney), Tarkan Gursel (Henley), Josh Agostino (Gladesville), Johnny Bechara (Abbotsford), Duncan Butler (Hunters Hill), Odysseas Stavrou (Hunters Hill), Richard Yen (East Ryde), Charlie Laundy (Strathfield), Luke Castaldi (Putney) and Eoin Walsh (North Ryde). In addition to this Liam Fogarty (Wahroonga) played violin in the pit (orchestra).

I was lucky enough to be close to the action and I can tell you that the professionalism of the boys involved was quite incredible. They were fully committed to their roles in the performance and I know that they also enjoyed themselves immensely. It was a massive commitment that started for them back in Term 1 and had them involved in many rehearsals during their own free time, including the holidays and Sundays. In the week of the performances they took part in the show each night from Sunday to Friday and two performances on Tuesday. This contribution is massive and each of these boys should be commended for their outstanding efforts.

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Photo 1:  Tom Mutch (West Pennant Hills), Alastair Dunstan (Putney), Tarkan Gursel (Henley), Josh Agostino (Gladesville), Johnny Bechara (Abbotsford), Duncan Butler (Hunters Hill), Odysseas Stavrou (Hunters Hill), Richard Yen (East Ryde), Charlie Laundy (Strathfield) and Luke Castaldi (Putney). Note that Eoin Walsh (North Ryde) was absent on the day of the photo being taken.

Photo 2:  The cast of the College production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat during a final rehearsal.

Year 7 Has Talent

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At every College assembly we have many things happening. We pray as a school,we reflect on important issues as a school and we acknowledge the achievements of others as a school. In addition to this, at each assembly we have a ‘musical item’ which is where a boy or group of boys performs on stage.

Believe it or not, the very first musical item of the year was a Year 7 boy who, at the time, had been here at Joeys for only two weeks. Liam Fogarty (Wahroonga) not only had incredible courage to get up on stage in front of the whole school but he pulled off an superb performance. While I could talk about his talent forever … the best way to find out about it is to watch his performance. The video below shows Liam performing at assembly – initially you will only hear Br Anthony’s voice introducing him, however you will then see Liam perform.

Enjoy!

I have to apologise for this getting to you quite some time after the performance – however I am sure you will agree it was worth the wait! Since that time we have had another boy perform at assembly – I’ll publish his performance in a few days! Until then … well done Liam on a wonderful effort!