A Term of Outstanding Music at Trinity
Term 2 has been a remarkable celebration of music at Trinity Grammar School, showcasing the depth, diversity and excellence of our Music Department. From the energy and creativity of Battle of the Bands, to the broad-ranging performances of the Winter Concert, culminating in the Gala Music Concert Rememberings, students from across the School demonstrated not only their musical skill, but also their commitment, collaboration and passion for performance.
Battle of the Bands Brings the House Down
This year’s Battle of the Bands transformed The Factory Theatre in Marrickville into a vibrant showcase of contemporary music, creativity and student talent. Hosted by Jaemin Yoo (11St), Charlie Anderson (11Hi) and Matthew Prodigalidad (11Ar), the evening featured 15 bands performing a wide range of repertoire spanning rock, pop, country and original compositions.
Special guest judge Dylan Wright, winner of Australian Idol 2024, praised the professionalism and quality of the performances, noting how impressed he was by the production standards and musical talent on display.
With outstanding performances across the board, the competition proved difficult to judge. Highlights included Jackson Showyin’s original composition Afterthought, performed by Polyphony, and a crowd-pleasing Beatles Medley by The Two Turners. The Acafellas ultimately took out the overall title with an entertaining Boy Band Medley featuring songs from the Backstreet Boys, Jackson 5, One Direction, Five and Saja Boys.
Awards presented on the evening included:
- Winner: The Acafellas
- Rising Star: The Chansons
- Roadie’s Prize: The Two Turners
- Best Original Song: Jackson S (12Ho)
- Best Artistic Creative Backdrop Design: Jackson S (12Ho)
- Best Technical Crew Member: Jay R (11Sc)
The event was also a powerful reminder that great performances rely on great teamwork. The Music Department acknowledged the outstanding contribution of the Media Crew, technical staff, organisers and production team who helped create a professional concert experience. A special highlight was the Staff Band’s performance of Let’s Get Loud, featuring a memorable guest appearance from Mr Andrew Yarrad.
Watch some highlights below or click here to watch all student performances, recorded and edited by our student Media Production co-curricular
Winter Concert Showcases Emerging Talent
The annual Winter Concert provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Trinity’s intermediate musicians at the culmination of Semester One.
Held in the Sports Centre, the concert featured a diverse program hosted by Music Captain Carlo F (12Du) and Captain of Contemporary Music Jackson S (12Ho). The evening highlighted the breadth of musical opportunities available at Trinity, with performances spanning classical, jazz, contemporary and ensemble music.
Middle School students featured prominently throughout the evening, performing alongside more experienced musicians in a program that included works by Mozart, Vivaldi, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Alan Menken and Leonard Bernstein. Ensembles ranging from the Intermediate Concert Band and Intermediate String Orchestra to the Sax Quartet, Combined Flute Ensembles and Concert Band demonstrated both musical growth and ensemble excellence.
Audience favourites included the polished performance of Serenata, the impressive Chamber Music Middle School String Quartet, and the energy of the Contemporary Ensembles. The Concert Band concluded the evening with a varied program featuring Apex Predator, Cloud Dancing and selections from West Side Story.
The concert also showcased emerging student leadership, with Ashton Y (12Ta) and Daniel J (12Mu) stepping onto the podium as guest conductors for the Intermediate String Orchestra. A special thank you goes to the AV team, whose work transformed the Sports Centre into a professional concert venue and provided a stunning visual backdrop for the performances.
Rememberings: A Spectacular Gala Concert
The musical highlight of the term came on 25 June when Trinity’s premier ensembles took to the stage at The Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood for the annual Gala Music Concert, titled Rememberings.
Inspired by a series of significant literary and musical anniversaries, the concert explored themes of memory, reflection and celebration. The program recognised milestones including 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh, 50 years since Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, 100 years of Puccini’s Turandot, and anniversaries for West Side Story, Sweet Charity and The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
The evening brought together musicians from across all sections of the School. Junior and Preparatory School choristers performed Halfway Down the Stairs and In Dreams from The Lord of the Rings, while Trinity Choir delivered a powerful rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody alongside works by Maurice Duruflé and selections from Sweet Charity.
A particular highlight of the evening was the Symphonic Wind Band’s program, which reflected both musical excellence and global connection. Under the direction of Mr Christopher Aschman, the ensemble performed works by contemporary composers Nicole Piunno and Silvia San Miguel, supporting greater representation of female composers in a field traditionally dominated by male voices. Most notably, the Band presented Renacimiento by Spanish composer Silvia San Miguel in its first international performance. The inclusion of the work stemmed from a chance meeting between Mr Aschman and the composer while travelling in Bilbao, Spain. What began as a conversation between two families at an airport café developed into an international musical collaboration, with Ms San Miguel engaging with the ensemble during its preparation and offering artistic guidance from Spain. The performance was a powerful example of music’s ability to connect people, cultures and communities across the world.
The breadth of musical styles on display was extraordinary. Audiences enjoyed performances from the Symphonic Wind Band, Academy Orchestra, Senior Brass Ensemble, Sinfonietta, Big Band and Symphony Orchestra. The Big Band paid tribute to the late Gordon Goodwin with a thrilling performance of Count Bubba, while the Symphony Orchestra brought the evening to a spectacular conclusion with the finale from Dvořák’s New World Symphony.
A particularly special aspect of the concert was the inclusion of original compositions by Year 12 students Daniel J (12Mu) and Ashton Y (12Ta) as part of their International Baccalaureate Contemporary Music Maker projects. Conducting the Symphony Orchestra in performances of their own works, an turas mòr (The Long Journey) and Arrival, both students demonstrated the creativity, leadership and musicianship fostered within Trinity’s music program.
The concert also featured Music Captain Carlo F (12Du) as soloist in Richard Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1, showcasing the exceptional individual talent that exists alongside Trinity’s renowned ensemble culture. The evening concluded with a massed performance by the Combined Choirs and Symphony Orchestra before the Symphony Orchestra’s stirring finale from Dvořák’s New World Symphony, bringing the theme of Rememberings to a fitting close.
Watch some highlights below or click here to watch a playlist of all performances.
A Celebration of Excellence
Across all three events, Term 2 highlighted the strength of music at Trinity. Whether performing original songs, contemporary favourites, jazz standards, chamber works or major orchestral repertoire, students displayed dedication, creativity and a commitment to excellence.
Most importantly, these performances reflected the collaborative spirit that sits at the heart of Trinity Music—bringing together students of all ages and experience levels in pursuit of a shared goal: making exceptional music together. The quality of performance, leadership and musicianship on display throughout the term demonstrates why Trinity’s music program continues to be one of the defining strengths of School life.
