Harmony and Heart: Con High’s Annual House Concert Dazzles in 2024

Video by Steven Wang

As the holiday season draws closer, the Conservatorium High School lit up the stage last night with its biggest annual tradition—the House Concert 2024. The evening was a feast for the ears and eyes, filled with music, energy, and heart, as each house delivered stunning performances across a range of musical genres—from soaring orchestral pieces to harmonious choral works—that showcased the remarkable talent of our students.

We are thrilled to congratulate Beethoven House on being awarded the Outstanding Award for their remarkable teamwork, dedicated rehearsal process, and exceptional craftsmanship in musical performance. Their hard work and dedication were evident throughout their performance, earning well-deserved recognition from the audience.

That said, the real magic of the night was seeing the passion and creativity from all three houses—Brahms, Bach, and Beethoven. Every performance was a masterpiece in its own right, and it’s clear that the students poured their hearts into every note, every harmony, and every moment on stage. Honestly, the talent at Con High is just next level.

A massive shoutout to the teachers, staff, and families who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the night so special. Your support is what keeps this tradition alive and thriving. You’ve helped create something truly magical that the students (and audience) will remember for years to come.

Merry Christmas to everyone in the Con High community! Here’s to even more show-stopping performances in 2025.

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2024 Con High Family Gathering: Together in Harmony

The Conservatorium High School P&C Association is excited to announce the 2024 Con High Family Gathering: Together in Harmony, a special event for our entire school community! This gathering is designed to bring together students and parents across all age groups for an evening of celebration, connection, and fun.

Event Details

  • Date: Friday, 27th September 2024
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Venue: The Greens North Sydney
    50 Ridge Street, North Sydney, NSW 2062

This event is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together in a relaxed and festive environment. We encourage everyone to join us for a memorable evening that underscores our theme, “Together in Harmony!”

As part of Con high tradition, we will also provide an opportunity for Con High students to say goodbye to their year 12 brothers and sisters. This special moment will honor the graduating class as they prepare to embark on their next journey, celebrating the bonds and memories shared throughout their time at Con High.

Ticket & Catering Information

Tickets are now available for purchase:

  • Adults: $50
    Includes 4 canapés and a house beverage on arrival. Additional drinks can be purchased from the bar.

  • Student: $12
    Choose from four delicious meal options:

    • Cheeseburger & Fries
    • Spaghetti Napoli with Parmesan Cheese
    • Fish & Chips
    • Chicken Sausages & Chips

Ticketing Site and Booking QR

Click Ticket Booking Site or Scan the code below to make the booking:

We also cater to various dietary requirements, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. Please indicate your preferences when booking.

Dress Code

Smart casual. As The Greens has an outdoor area, we recommend checking the weather forecast and dressing warmly to ensure comfort throughout the evening.

Join Us for a Night of Community and Celebration!

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to engage with the broader school community. Whether you’re catching up with friends or making new connections, the 2024 Con High Family Gathering promises to be an evening filled with warmth, laughter, and shared experiences.

For inquiries or further information, please contact the P&C event organisers by email eventorganiser@conhighpanc.org.au.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Year 11 Soloist Concert 2024

Con High year 11 soloist concert 2024

Organizing a soloist concert for a group of around 40 Year 11 students was no small feat, but thanks to the exceptional coordination of Michele, our mighty soloist coordinator, the event was a resounding success. We are incredibly grateful for her tireless efforts and commitment to making this night possible.

We also extend a huge thanks to Jen, Tanya, Keiko, and Penchan for preparing a scrumptious meal for all the students, and to everyone behind the scenes who contributed to making this event a memorable night.

Special thanks to Fei Xia for providing the majority of video clips for each solo performance, and to Tanya for creating the collage image and Ruth for capturing the finale stage video. The video embedded at the beginning includes all the soloists who performed last Friday, with each performer showcased for one minute. Please note that the order in the video follows the printed program and not the actual performance sequence.

Unfortunately, we lost the video footage for Allyson Wu’s performance, so we’ve included photo slides accompanied by a borrowed music clip instead. Additionally, the video clips for Daniel Zhu and Aidan Carey are slightly shorter than one minute.

Below is the soloist performance program. Click on each time link to jump to the precise start time of the performer in the video.

00:35Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin arr. T. Dokshitser
Ivan Zhu – Trumpet
Young Kwon Choi – Piano

01:35Tambourine Chinois – Fritz Kreisler
Yuzuka Dekura – Violin
Alex Zhang – Piano

02:35The Ballad of Jane Doe – Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Rachel Jackson – Voice
Alex Zhang – Piano
Charlotte Blenkhorn – Voice
Aidan Carey – Voice
Jemma Kenny – Voice

03:35Flute Sonata II movement 2: “Scherzo” – Sergei Prokofiev
Bodhi Patrodon – Flute
Alex Zhang – Piano

04:35Pohadka ‘A Tale’ 1. Con Moto – Leos Janacek
Emma Fraser – Cello
Young Kwon Choi – Piano

05:35Sonata No 2 ‘Obsession’ – Eugène Ysaÿe
Violet Krockenberger – Violin

06:35Mandoline – Gabriel Fauré
Jemma Kenny – Voice
Alex Zhang – Piano

07:35Concertino – Alphonse Duvernoy
Saskia Scheib – Flute
Young Kwon Choi – Piano

08:35, Violin Concerto in D major, Op 35 Mov. 1 – Korngold
Maggie Zeng – Violin
Young Kwon Choi – Piano

09:35Sonata for Trumpet and Piano 3rd mvmt. – Karl Pilss
Gabriel Baker – C Trumpet
Young Kwon Choi – Piano

10:35Precious Things – Tori Amos
Charlotte Blenkhorn – Voice/Piano

11:35Sonata for Cello and Piano, op.19 mvt. 3 – Rachmaninoff/Volodos
Katelyn Chan – Piano

12:35Ysaÿe 3rd Sonata – Eugène Ysaÿe
Ian Zhang – Violin
Max Wang – Piano

13:35Utopia of Blossoms – Bo Li
Margaret Gao – Guzheng
Daniel Gao – Piano

14:35Elegie – Rachmaninoff
Alex Hummelshoj – Piano

15:35Second Cello Concerto op. 126, 3rd mvt – Dmitri Shostakovich
Ryan Li – Bass Clarinet
Vincent Zhu – Piano

16:35Aragonesa – Manuel De Falla
Harry Mayhew – Piano

17:35Blue Mountains Mist – Andrew Howes
Owen Conway – French Horn
Maximilian Wang – Piano

18:35Carmen Variations – Bizet/Horowitz
Vincent Zhu – Piano

19:35Sonatina for Clarinet Solo Op. 27 – Miklós Rózsa
Maximilian Wang – Clarinet

20:35Reflets dans l’eau (Reflections in the Water) – Claude Debussy
Kayla Wang – Piano

21:35Johnny – Thea Sholl
Thea Sholl – Voice/Piano
Amelie Wolfson – Voice
Emma Fraser – Cello
Grace Zhao – Violin
Maggie Zeng – Violin

22:45Etude Op. 10 No. 8 in F major – Frederic Chopin
Daniel Zhu – Piano

23:25Who I’d Be – Jeanine Tesori
Aidan Carey – Voice
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

24:25Une Barque sur l’océan (A Boat on the Ocean) – Maurice Ravel
Allyson Wu – Piano

24:55Movement 4, 5 and 6 of Roumanian Dances – Béla Bartók
Josephine Roumanoff – Violin
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

25:55Adagio and Allegro (Mvt 2. Allegro) – Robert Schumann
Eloise Brunsdon – French Horn
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

26:55Sonatine III: Toccata – John Carmichael
Horatio Monahan – Piano

27:55Scene de Ballet – Charles Auguste de Bériot
Grace Zhao – Violin
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

28:55Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino – Paul Taffanel
Kama Zalejska – Flute
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

29:55La Gitana – Fritz Kreisler
Jodie Jang – Violin
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

30:55Duo Concertante – Darius Milhaud
Nicole Scholten – Clarinet
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

31:55Polonaise Brillante No. 1 in D Major – Henryk Wieniawski
Stefan Kowalik – Violin
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

33:55Requiebros – Gaspar Cassado
Juliette Roumanoff – Cello
Zsuzsa Giczy – Piano

34:55Firebird Suite Mvt 2 and 3 – Stravinsky/Agosti
Logan Chan – Piano

35:55Finale

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“A Musical Feast” – A Harmonious Blend of Music, Photography, and Culinary Delights Launches

Note: This post is written by Steven Wang based on the information provided by Katy/Narelle. All photographs featured in this post are copyrighted to Katy Evans and Cathy Player.

In a celebration of music, heritage, and culinary art, the Con High P&C proudly announces the launch of “A Musical Feast,” a cookbook eagerly anticipated by parents, families, and enthusiasts of the Con High community. This unique publication embodies a perfect harmony between music and culinary arts, representing a landmark achievement for the P&C community, celebrated for its commitment to nurturing a vibrant, supportive environment for music enthusiasts.

Crafted over 20 months, “A Musical Feast” is more than a cookbook; it’s a vibrant tapestry of the school’s culture, its picturesque surroundings, and the beloved recipes of its community. Spearheaded by the talented Katy Evans, with pivotal support from our former P&C president Narelle Yeo, the project is a testament to the passion and commitment of the team involved.

The book’s early 2024 arrival has been met with widespread enthusiasm, seen as a special keepsake by many. It features over 200 pages of stunning photography, enriching music, and heartwarming anecdotes from past and present members of the Con High community.

To secure a copy of “A Musical Feast” and support this exquisite blend of flavors, memories, and melodies, contributors are invited to donate $55. Donations of $100 or more will also receive a special gift—one of Katy Evans’ captivating photographic images.

This endeavor underscores the Con High P&C’s dedication to nurturing a community spirit, united by a shared passion for music and the culinary arts. “A Musical Feast” goes beyond the traditional scope of a book; it’s an invitation to explore the soul of the Conservatorium, celebrating the harmony between music and gastronomy.

Order and Donation Details:

Please click the link below to make your donation. You will be directed to a Google Form where you can fill in your details to support this wonderful initiative. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will help further our mission.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfReYAiPpdaDz059MgdBCG0UckxxFyf-gz0C8wBWdB-qEXFYQ/viewform

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Gala Night Success: Swinging Soiree Takes Guests Back to the Roaring Twenties

Video courteously provided by JinR

After months of meticulous preparation, the much-anticipated fundraising gala, inspired by the exuberant spirit of the 1920s, concluded last night with resounding success. The event served as a nostalgic time-travel experience, immersing attendees in the captivating ambiance of the Roaring Twenties.

As the night unfolded, the Hermitage Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel was transformed into a dazzling portal to the past. The intoxicating melodies of 1920s’ music filled the air, harmonizing perfectly with the clinking of champagne glasses, evoking the gaiety and hope that defined the era.

The venue was buzzing with energy as guests and young students, all adorned in their finest 1920s attire, added to the festivities. As they danced the Charleston, they channeled the timeless elegance and free-spiritedness of the bygone era. Their youthful vigor and enthusiasm, coupled with laughter and togetherness, brought the vibrant history to life, encapsulating the essence of the era. The sight was enchanting, and proud parents reveled in the opportunity to revisit their own youth, united in the joy of the present moment.

The students’ remarkable musical talents elevated the evening to a mesmerizing experience, skillfully channeling the emotions and essence of the 1920s melodies. Their performances transcended time, tugging at heartstrings, and captivating the audience with lively rhythms and graceful notes, adding the perfect touch of authenticity to this exceptional event.

Throughout the evening, the ballroom was alive with excitement as raffle winners were announced. Among them, we congratulate Emily B. who won the raffle prize of a one-night stay at the InterContinental Hotel with two breakfasts included. It was truly a night of delightful surprises and cherished memories, accentuated by the highly demanded singing from our P&C president, Narelle, which pushed the night to new heights of enthusiasm and celebration.


As the night progressed, the captivating ambiance enveloped everyone, and the party continued beyond the scheduled end time. In the bewitching embrace of the 1920s, the past and present intertwined, leaving indelible memories and a renewed appreciation for the passage of time.

The success of the gala owes much gratitude to the dedicated efforts of the P&C social committee team, led by Robbie, JinR, and Lisa. Their hard work and commitment ensured every detail was flawlessly executed, and their vision brought the magical 1920s to life. Special thanks go to our school principal, Ian Barker, and P&C president, Narelle Yeo, for their unwavering support, as well as Julie Simonds for her invaluable music program contributions. Michele’s efficient check-in process and overall assistance and Katy‘s photography skills added to the seamless execution of the event. We extend our gratitude to all the participants who made this gala an unforgettable experience.

We would also like to express our deepest appreciation to all the generous participants and donors whose contributions furthered our canteen funding initiative. Your kindness and support have a lasting impact on our school community.

Lastly, we applaud the young musicians whose time and dedication showcased their remarkable talents. (List of Performers Attached) Special thanks are also due to JJ McCormack for taking the responsibility of looking after the school’s music gear.

The gala night has left an indelible mark on our collective memory, reminding us to carry the passion and vitality of the 1920s within our hearts. As we embrace the future with optimism, we cherish the unity, friendship, and joy that this beautiful event has instilled in us all.

(PS: Photo albums will be created once we have collected all the photos.)

Performer List:

String quartet:
Violin – Maximilian Wang
Violin – Benedict O’Meara
Viola – Amelie Wolfson
Cello – Chloe Park


Pianists:
Aaron Ding
Rachel Liang
Owen Conway
Horatio Monahan

Swing Band:
Piano – JJ McCormack
Vocals – Saskia Boe, Ester McCormack
Clarinet – Eli Gilchrist
Guitarist – Jules Frost
Saxophone – Ashley Dicker

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Written by Steven Wang

P&C Webmaster and News Content Administration

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