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ENCORE 2024: EXEMPLARY HSC MUSIC
ENCORE 2024: EXEMPLARY HSC MUSIC
ENCORE SELECTIONS 2024
ENCORE SELECTIONS 2024
Congratulations on the stunning achievement that is inclusion in the final concert and Showcase of Encore 2024, HSC Music. Selection for this concert and showcase is highly competitive with a stellar quality of candidate required.
What an outstanding validation of the tireless commitment to quality music these students have demonstrated from beginning to the very end of HSC Music. We could not be more proud of these students' achievements and look on with great interest at their future pathways.
These students' work will be performed and viewed at Encore 2024, Sydney Opera House, Monday 24 February 2025.
Performance: Spencer Oxnam, viola
Composition: Flynn Poppleton
Musicology: Aiken Ord
NOMINATIONS HONOUR ROLL
NOMINATIONS HONOUR ROLL
Performance:
Jasmine Alefosio (voice)
Tom Borbilas (trombone)
Francis Ceschin (clarinet)
Lucy de Hosson (voice)
Raf Gonzales (piano)
James Hillier (flute)
Sebastian Mackenzie (piano)
Khang Mai (violin)
Lola Merewether (voice)
Aiken Ord (piano)
Spencer Oxnam (viola)
Lara Ueki (clarinet)
Karys Werstak (voice)
Composition: Noah Johnson, Flynn Poppleton
Musicology: Aiken Ord
FINALE SHOWCASE CONCERT 2024
FINALE SHOWCASE CONCERT 2024
Symphony Orchestra, Junior Choir, Intermediate Choir and Junior Choir performed massed choral and orchestral masterworks Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, and the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah by G.F. Handel.
Finale Showcase provides the opportunity for Music Ensembles to stage large scale canon works, to provide wider knowledge of choral and large form works in their intended context, and present combined and collaborate across multiple large ensembles. It takes a large coordinated effort of preparation and rehearsal across many inter-ensemble settings to effect, and the students of the Symphony Orchestra and combined Choirs contributed exemplary effort, energy and focus to deliver standout performances of these works.
Special thanks to the directors of these orchestral and choral ensembles, as well as performing teachers: Amber Johnson, Emlyn Lewis-Jones, Deborah McGowan and Ynping Mak (directors); Simon Buckland and Philip Podreka (performing staff).
FInale Showcase also featured Xavier McTaggart from the outgoing HSC Year 12 class, performing percussive acoustic guitar work "Boogie Shred" by Mike Dawes. Congratulations to Xavier on recent excellent Music HSC results.
Finale Showcase
LEGALLY BLONDE: PREVIEW AT FINALE SHOWCASE
LEGALLY BLONDE: PREVIEW AT FINALE SHOWCASE
"Serious" from the upcoming production of Legally Blonde 2025
Elle: Bonnie Kirgan
Warner: Daniel Hirst
Bass Guitar: Jake Boissonneault
Drums: Oscar Firmstone
Violin: Olive Jacks
Keyboard: Sebastian Mackenzie
"Baby my future's all planned, I've got some dreams to make true... It's time to get serious with you"
Production 18-21 March 2025
P&C Fundraiser Movie Night Thursday 2 February 2025
PREsentation day
PREsentation day
SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE performs "Curtain Tune" from Timon of Athens by Purcell,
Directed by Deborah McGowan
SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE performs "Curtain Tune" from Timon of Athens by Purcell,
Directed by Deborah McGowan
SPOTLIGHT: THE HARLEY GOODACRE VIOLIN
SPOTLIGHT: THE HARLEY GOODACRE VIOLIN
Harley Goodacre was the grandfather of Daniel Goodacre, an ex-student of NHSPA. The family, passionate about the Performing Arts, generously donated an exquisite violin in his memory for a student to enhance their instrumental development.
Each year this beautiful violin is awarded at Presentation Day as a legacy item to a violin student at NHSPA to further their performance and expressive capabilities for that year as they develop their artform. This honours the intention of the Goodacre family and their passion for Music. The Harley Goodacre Violin has a long history therefore of adding to and enabling the growth of violin students at Newtown.
Our perpetual thanks to the Goodacre family for their passionate support of violin students at NHSPA.
SCARLETT SEYBOLD
SCARLETT SEYBOLD
Harley Goodacre Violin Award Recipient 2024
Harley Goodacre Violin Award Recipient 2024
pictured below performing "Winter" Violin Concerto from The Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi with the Harley Goodacre Violin
What was your journey through NHSPA on violin generally? How did you grow?
The violin itself went on many journeys to the familiar Verbrugghen Hall for arts unit concerts such as “In Concert”. Each year I’d also play the violin in the School Spectacular Symphony Orchestra.
At school I was a member of the Symphony Orchestra and string ensembles for all of my high school years, taking leadership positions in my senior years, and culminating in performing in our own St George's Hall with the violin playing Vivaldi’s Winter Concerto from The Seasons with the Senior String Ensemble for Spring Prom 2023.
Do you feel the Goodacre violin helped your playing and approach?
Without a doubt my time with the violin allowed me to approach playing much differently. Along with changing teachers, the way I approached new music was more thoughtful and nuanced. For example the lower G range sound in particular was quite triumphant, so I would put thought into how this sound can be used within the piece I was learning. Having the ability to make a more mature sound, there were other aspects of my musicianship improved, such as my aural recognition.
What are your plans for 2025 in music?
I am planning to pursue a career in music through studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in Sydney in a degree of Music Performance. I have recently auditioned for a place in the Sydney Youth Orchestra Flagship for 2025 and will be auditioning early next year for the Conservatorium University Orchestra.
Sensuke Seki, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS SENSUKE SEKI
CONGRATULATIONS SENSUKE SEKI
Harley Goodacre Violin Award Recipient 2025
What has been your journey in violin so far?
I've been playing violin since before I was 5, so 13 or so years. I've been playing in the school's Orchestra, String Ensemble and Tango for my entire high school time. Hoping to make great use of the violin this year.
What are your plans for 2025 and beyond in Music?
For HSC Music 2 and Extension, I am really looking forward to playing my HSC program on this violin. I still don't know about auditions for Conservatoirum or other paths yet, but I'm hoping to exploring my directions. I'm happy at the idea of trying new things on this instrument and seeing where it takes me.
PRESENTATION DAY ALUMNI SPEAKER
PRESENTATION DAY ALUMNI SPEAKER
MICHAEL AZZOPARDI, NHSPA 2002
MICHAEL AZZOPARDI, NHSPA 2002
At Presentation Day Friday 13 December, the Alumni Speech was given by Mr Michael Azzopardi, from the graduating class of 2002.
Mr Azzopardi spoke passionately and sincerely about the formative years at NHSPA and the lessons he learned. During this period Michael was not only performing on Piano, but also Clarinet, Trombone, tuned and untuned Percussion, Drums, and Voice. By his early teens, Michael turned his attention to Jazz Piano, and began studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. By his mid teens, Michael was performing with many of Sydney's top Jazz and session musicians.
In 2003, Michael was accepted into the Australian National University School of Music in Canberra to complete a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) degree. During his time there, he was awarded the Michael Foster Scholarship for outstanding achievement in Jazz.
Today Mr Azzopardi is a Musical Director, Conductor, and Keyboardist of Australian productions of hit Broadway, West End, and Australian musicals, regularly touring throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia with these productions. He is also heavily involved in jazz performance and recording.
Michael is currently the Musical Director of the Sydney return season of “HAMILTON”, and the Australian premier production of “MJ THE MUSICAL” opening in Sydney in 2025. Prior to this, he was the Musical Director of most Australian productions of Australian musicals including "& Juliet" (Sydney Melbourne 2021-2022), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2019-2020), "Mamma Mia" (2017-2018) and "Matilda" (2015-2016). If you have seen a major professional musical in town over the last ten years, you have likely seen Michael at the helm of the musical production of this show and enjoyed his work as a keyboardist, a conductor and musical director.
Mr Azzopardi was thrilled to give the Alumni address, as he strongly valued his time at NHSPA. He had very strong and fond memories of former teachers, such as Ms George, Ms McGowan and Mr Lewis-Jones. His key message to students was one of taking opportunity as it is presented, to value your time at NHSPA as a distinct and special place, and to always seek to grow no matter what life developments might emerge.
Left: Michael Azzopardi in reflection
Right: Michael Azzopardi MD and Max Martin, famed songwriter and composer of "& Juliet" in Sydney
ELYSIUM CONCERT, MUSIC EXTENSION
ELYSIUM CONCERT, MUSIC EXTENSION
Congratulations !
to the 12 Music Extension cohort of 2025 for completion of the Elysium Concert, a presentation and assessment of Elective works for study in the HSC Music Extension course
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