Director of Music | Mr Brad Esbensen

Welcome back to Term 3! During the holiday period, 47 musicians took part in a very successful and rewarding music tour to the USA. The tour consisted of two components: the first week was spent at the Music For All (MFA) Summer Symposium, attended by some 1300 music students from across the USA, and the second week was packed with a variety of musical performances in the greater Los Angeles area. This tour has had such a positive impact on all who participated with many of the students excited about a new-found interest in taking their musical studies further than they had previously imagined. There were many highlights on this tour, but one that stood out for me was to see Eden Chan (Year 8 – Trumpet) perform with Rodney Marsalis (cousin of internationally renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis) as part of the evening concert program at MFA. Highlights from the second week included: the 4th of July Parade at Huntington Beach; the Choir performing the Star Spangled Banner before a large audience at the Staples Centre; and the Disney soundtrack recording experience. With a longer-term touring program taking shape, we are hoping to be able to offer such positive musical experiences to future generations of Terrace musicians. A special thank you goes out to the dedicated Music Staff who gave up their holiday time to ensure the success of the tour.

Term 3 is a big one for Terrace Music with all our ensembles participating at Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF) which takes place at Villanova College from Thursday 17 August through to Sunday 20 August. This is our “grand final” event for music and as such, it is expected that these performances take priority. Please ensure that music is being practised at home and that rehearsals are attended regularly. Parent Lounge notifications and Event Memos will be posted shortly and we would appreciate prompt responses to assist us in the logistical preparations for such a large event. A Music Spirit Assembly will take place at the College on Thursday 17 August and will involve performances from our premier ensembles.

On Tuesday 1 August, some of our younger musicians will be representing Terrace at the GPS Music Day of Excellence (Years 5-7) which will take place at Nudgee College. Music has been distributed to teachers, and students are encouraged to begin working on their music to ensure they get the most out of this day. It is always an exciting and inspiring experience for our younger players. Notifications for this event will be sent out to all involved shortly.

Next week, the USA Music Tour Marching Band will perform at College Assembly.

Please check the Terrace App and Parent Lounge regularly as this is where information regarding various events (see the list below) will now be published. As events are approved and posted to the Parent Lounge, you will be sent an email advising the name of the event, including the Event Memo, to check and you will be required to give a response regarding attendance. Event Memos will also be available through the Terrace App in Culture | Music.

Term 3 Events

  • House Choir Night, Friday 21 July, Campbell Centre
  • GPS Music Day of Excellence, Tuesday 1 August, Nudgee College
  • QCMF, Thursday 17 August – Sunday 20 August, Villanova College
  • Red Thunder Drumline, Rugby GT v TSS, Saturday 12 August, Tennyson Playing Fields
  • Red Thunder Drumline, Rugby GT v TGS, Saturday 2 September, Tennyson Playing Fields
  • Red Thunder Drumline and Terrace Rock, Rugby GT v BBC, Saturday 9 September, Tennyson Playing Fieldss


Photo below: Eden Chan performs with Rodney Marsalis at the MFA concert.