The school’s Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra and newly formed Symphony performed at the Sydney Opera House and took part in workshops at the prestigious Sydney Conservatory.
It’s the fourth international trip for ACG Parnell College musicians and by far the largest, demonstrating the international mindedness of students, said Head of Music, Dr Julie Garner.
She said opportunities like this give students a chance to grow their musical artistry, work towards a challenging goal and motivate younger students to emulate the experience.
“Our musicians performed on the world stage. They interacted with likeminded students from across the globe and workshopped with international experts. If we look back on our school years, it is the experiences like this that we remember forever.”
ACG Parnell College’s Music Department has grown at a remarkable rate from just a handful of small ensembles a few years ago to having a full Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band.
Dr Garner said there was a renewed appreciation for the performing arts, with parents understanding that subjects like Music and Drama develop important life and social skills such as perseverance, teamwork, confidence, communication, problem solving and the ability to cope with pressure.
“We are looking at participating in more world-class music events in future, enriching our students’ learning and developing connections across the globe at the same time. While there may be a competitive element in which some students excel, many of our students participate simply because it provides a creative outlet for them. It is a healthy, educational, stimulating pursuit which helps to develop students’ holistically.”
