BAND

KIRRAWEE HIGH STAGE BAND CD - On sale now

Kirrawee High has an extensive band program consisting of a concert band, wind orchestra, junior stage band and senior stage band. These groups rehearse each week and perform at various concerts, eisteddfods and jazz festivals both here and abroad.

The Concert Band consists of 35-40 students in Years 7 and 8. They perform at school, music extravaganzas, Sutherland Shire World's Biggest Morning Tea, raising money for the Cancer Council and have won Gold awards in the Engadine Music Band Festival.

The Symphonic Wind Orchestra is the Senior Concert Band who also perform at school and music extravangazas. Tours include: Port Macquarie, Hay, Leeton area and the Gold Coast where they performed at SeaWorld and MovieWorld. In 2008 they received a Gold Plus Award in the Engadine Music Festival and also produced a CD at Fox Studios which is now for sale at the front office for $10.00. They hope to do an overseas trip in the next couple of years.

The Senior Stage Band has performed with James Morrison, Don Burrows and Tommy Emanuel. The band has also toured extensively including wonderful opportunities in South Africa, China and Cuba.

The school offers private instrumental tuition for students involved in the band program and promotes individual excellence as well as ensemble skills.

Any new students, especially Year 7 students are given the opportunity to become involved in the band program. Experience is not required - just enthusiasm.

After settling into our brand-new Music Centre at the beginning of 2006, our students have taken on many challenges and achieved one success after another.

We have a music extravaganza night which features terrific performances by the Wind Orchestra, Junior Concert Band, Junior Stage Band, singers and solo instrumentalists. The Wind Orchestra also gives performances throughout the year at Westfield Miranda, Gymea North PS and Waterbrook.

Our renowned Senior Stage Band play at the Thredbo Jazz Festival, James Morrison concerts and many other weekend and evening gigs. These include the Cronulla Jazz & Shiraz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival and Australia Day at South Cronulla.

Our String Group has gone from strength to strength and has been invited to play several prominent public performances, including State Government receptions and Department of Education events.

Individual Kirrawee musicians have won medals in state and national championships, while several others have won awards at local bandfests and other competitions. Students also perform at the School Spectaculars.

The opening of our new Music Centre has enabled us to expand our role as a lighthouse school in music education. Community links have been strengthened as several outside groups have used our facilities, with reciprocal benefits flowing on to our own music students.

So many community groups and individuals have generously supported our music programs. Foremost has been the Engadine Music Education Centre, which has been our strongest supporter for many years.