A Term Full of High Notes!

Term 3 has been another phenomenal season for Penrhos Music! Full of memorable events, high-quality music and wholesome performance experiences, this has been a time of incredible achievements and a true celebration of music in our wonderful community.

We hit the ground running at the start of term, with our two College Jazz bands performing at the AJEA WA Schools’ Jazz Festival at Churchlands Senior High School. Both Basie Band and Coltrane Jazz presented stellar performances, receiving “outstanding” and “excellent” respectively in their divisions.

The following week, String Orchestra, Camerata Strings and Symphonic Bands performed at the WA Schools’ Band and Orchestra Festival (ABODA). All three ensembles were awarded the highest possible achievement of “outstanding” for their performances.

These performances were followed by our annual Jazz at the Llew Woodford event. Another roaring success, the sold-out venue was packed with audience members enjoying the finest of Penrhos Jazz! The evening also provided an opportunity to reunite the Wesley/Penrhos combined big band for a special set, reviving their Generations in Jazz performance repertoire. The band has one final show on its calendar at the Wesley College Jazz Night on Friday, 16 October, before auditions open for the 2027 iteration. For more information, come to the parent information evening on Monday, 19 October! (Expression of Interest Forms can be requested by email to musica@penrhos.wa.edu.au.)

Our Year 11 and Year 12 ATAR musicians then took the spotlight at their annual recital evening, showcasing the impressive repertoire they are preparing for their upcoming WACE examinations. The evening provided an opportunity for students to perform for their closest family and friends and marked the final performance in the College Chapel for our Year 12 musicians. We congratulate all our ATAR musicians on their hard work and dedication throughout their school careers!

The College Senior Rock Bands then hit the road for a day at Dowerin Machinery Field Days, representing Penrhos College in the “Battle of the School Bands”. Both bands delivered outstanding performances, while students also enjoyed performances from other Colleges featuring rock bands, wind ensembles and string orchestras. Congratulations to our musicians, who are now working towards their next gigs at the Perth Young Rockers series on Sunday, 15 November at the Milk Bar.

Our Junior School musicians also had their moment in the limelight at the Junior School Interhouse Music Eisteddfod. Among the many performances, some Year 6 students performed solo for the very last time in the Junior School, while younger musicians made their Penrhos debut. A highlight was the ensemble section, which brought together friends and peers in completely student-led performances, from duets to small combos. This was a wonderful demonstration of student agency as students brought together and performed works completely by their own volition. Congratulations to all musicians who put themselves forward for this event!

The second round of ABODA performances then saw our dedicated Junior Strings ensemble and newly formed Year 5–7 Concert Band take to the stage. Both ensembles delivered spectacular performances, and we congratulate all students involved for the work they put in throughout the year. We eagerly await their performances at this year’s Junior School Showcase, Superstars and Legends, coming to the Rixon Theatre on 12 November.

Finally, the culmination of the year’s events, performances and rehearsals came together in our event of the grandest scale: Music Gala Night! This year’s Gala, Echo, was nothing short of amazing. With all of Penrhos’ large-scale orchestras and ensembles performing in one epic night, the Rixon Theatre was transformed from concert hall to jazz club to Broadway theatre and finally to a stadium-worthy choral-rock concert, bringing together more than 230 students for a grand finale of “We Are the World”. We commend all the fabulous musicians who performed, making it an evening that will, without a doubt, Echo through our memories.

Our special congratulations go to the Year 12 musicians who have taken to these various stages for the last time in their College ensembles. Their contribution to Music at Penrhos will leave a lasting impression, and they have all helped create a culture of nurture, respect and camaraderie amongst their peers. We truly value the love and enjoyment of all things music which they bring to our school every day, and we wish them all the very best for their future endeavours!

We are extremely proud of all these achievements from our hard-working musicians. While results and achievements are all worthy of celebration, it is also important to highlight the value of these experiences beyond adjudicator feedback and achievement standards. All the work our musicians put in throughout the year helps shape responsible, self-aware people with a strong sense of self-efficacy. These musicians come to learn that each of their contributions, no matter how big or small, forms a part of something much greater than themselves. We are proud to be a part of their journeys and of the positive impact made through their experiences at Penrhos College.