Across 2024, that sound has rung out across the College! Music performances uplift the College and showcase the talent of our 26 ensembles: a liturgy band, four choirs, three string ensembles, four percussion ensembles, four concert bands, a marching band, three rock bands, three big bands, two jazz ensembles and our guitar ensemble.  

Congratulations to our graduating musicians for their significant contribution to the music department over many years. They have all been wonderfully supported by their parents and helped to make our music department one of the best in the state. All of these graduating musicians have developed a love of music which will last a lifetime. Some of them will pursue music making as a hobby while a number have set their sights on working professionally in the music industry. We congratulate all these young men for their leadership and example and commend them towards their future endeavours.

Thank you to our 2024 Music Captains, Nicholas Ironside and Lucas Van Stam, for their work and commitment as leaders in our music department.

Our music staff team builds confidence in our community through every aspect of our communication, planning, and engagement, from the way students are greeted at each lesson/rehearsal to the way they are honoured when they take risks during performances. All this culminates in the sound you hear from every performance: confidence! 


Senior Ensembles SEQ Music Tour  

The 2024 Senior Ensembles SEQ Music Tour for our advanced ensembles was a major highlight. In June, staff and around 45 students from our senior ensembles travelled to Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast to enjoy recreation, team building activities, performances and workshops with local Colleges. One highlight was seeing our students teaching and inspiring younger or less experienced musicians to develop their craft through sectionals and small clinics. Our musicians were abuzz with stories of helping these younger students with their musical development. These Tours are always a highlight for our musicians on their musical and personal journey. Next year we’ll be heading across the seas for our first internation tour to New Zealand.


QCMF  

The 2024 Queensland Catholic Music Festival provided a mammoth four days of brilliant pro string orchestras, choirs, and concert bands. Our 26 participating ensembles performed admirably. A big congratulations to our Year 5 Concert Band of more than 120 boys and our strings ensemble who gave wonderful performances.  


2024 Co-Curricular Music Program Snapshot 

454 - Ensemble members (some men in multiple ensembles)  
27 - College ensembles   
430 - Music lessons delivered weekly   
175 - Ensemble Performances throughout the year  
21- Staff developing our St Patrick’s musicians 


 AHEP (Australian Honours Ensemble Program)  

Congratulations to these outstanding young musicians for their selection in the AHEP program – this year is our highest participation in this national level program:  

- Jack Goves (Year 11) Clarinet, AHEP Symphony Orchestra. 
- Alexander Hewitt (Year 11) Flute, AHEP Wind Orchestra 
- Nicholas Ironside (Year 12) Tuba, AHEP Wind Orchestra  
- Hue Tan (Year 10) Percussion, AHEP Wind Orchestra.  

SHEP (State Honour Ensemble Program) Open Conservatorium  

A large and outstanding group of SPC men were selected to rehearse and perform at the Conservatorium of Music in the State Honours Ensemble Program.  


Trinity College & AMEB 

Many St Patrick’s College musicians achieved grades in Trinity College London and the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) syllabuses in voice, brass, woodwind, strings, guitars, piano, percussion. Congratulations to our young musicians, staff, and families on this excellent achievement.  


SPC Arts Festival and Recitals 

We again hosted the Arts Festival featuring recitals for music lesson students to perform solos or duets for their parents. Across the evening, we ran nine concerts simultaneously in various performance rooms throughout the College culminating in over 350 performances! This was a wonderful night and we received lots of positive feedback from all who attended.  


Masterclasses and Workshops 

We aim to expose our students to a range of professional experiences and this year we enjoyed a series of workshops and masterclasses from well known Brisbane music teachers and clinicians. Thank you to the Cultural Support Group for financial supporting these opportunities.  


Large Concerts & Performances 

 It was a privilege to watch our outstanding 2024 musicians feature in a wide range of performances including All Ensembles concert, St Patrick’s Day March, Sandgate ANZAC day Dawn Service and Street March, Einbunpin Festival, SHEP, AHEP, Back to Shorncliffe Day, Showcase, Junior and Senior Ensemble evenings, Assembly Performances, Senior Musician’s Farewell Concert, Celebration by the Sea, Christmas by the Shore, a variety of liturgies and our Celebration of Excellence.  


In 2024, we have delivered 175 ensemble performances! This is only possible thanks to our inspiring team of music teachers, ensemble directors and administration team.  


Finally, my thanks to all our young men and the exceptional support of so many College families whose participation and backing every year makes our exceptional co-curricular music program possible.  


Article written by Kane McNally