The Schola concert was a great experience but it was also a lot of work. We sang songs in English, Latin and French. We had to stand for about an hour and my feet were killing me by the end but it was worth it to get to perform with such great musicians. There were six professional singers there to help us out as well as a small orchestra and an organist. As a treble, I sang the highest notes and we did not get a professional singer to help us. Most new recruits into the Schola are trebles and so we have many members especially in the junior school. My favourite song that we sang was Benedictus by Karl Jenkins. I hope the audience enjoyed the performance.

Matthew Champness, Yr 7

On Thursday the 3rd of June, the Schola performed at a concert in the chapel. This event happened to showcase the progress of our choir from 2019 through to 2021. We have come so far in these two years, and at the concert, this was evident. The concert also happened to raise money for our largely anticipated music dedicated hall. But with this concert came a lot of hard work for all the choristers, as well as the organisers of this event. During the times of the concert, we had extra rehearsals, going late into the night. We also learnt to work much more efficiently in our daily rehearsal in the morning. (Hopefully, this “newfound skill” will stay with us…). After what felt like a relatively short time, but was really weeks of practice came the concert itself. During the concert, we had the Australian Baroque Orchestra to accompany us, as well as an organist. We also had six professional ley clerks to assist those in the alto tenor and bass parts, as these parts were far outnumbered by the “small army” of trebles. The few moments before the concert were filled with exhilaration, but that was followed by the excitement during the concert. Being a treble, I sang the highest notes, and during the last song that was quite a challenge, because of all the singing before it. The concert was a success, and we got many good comments from the audience afterwards. At the function afterwards, we all enjoyed some food, as well as a laugh at some stories about some of the audience member’s own choral experience. Of course, like in anything we could’ve done better, but we still did an outstanding job. All the thanks should go to Mr McFadden, Mr McMillan and of course Mr Lydon, who started the program in the first place and got the Schola Choir to where we are today.

Dashiell van Ingen, Yr 7