Encore, the annual event that brings together the creative talents of high school students is on February 22.
The best-of-the-best HSC students who studied music in 2015 will gather for the show, showing off their skills as singers, instrumentalists and composers.
Presented by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW in association with the Department of Education, Encore is also an exciting opportunity for current music students, teachers and the public to hear a selection of exemplary works.
Featuring solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental works, expect a diverse range from the classics to jazz and contemporary.
Among them, Port Hacking High School graduate Zac Olsen, who plays the alto saxophone, and Caringbah High School graduate Matthew Harris, who plays the piano, bass and drums.
Mr Olsen, who was accepted into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, will perform Aria by Eugene Bozza.
“It’s a classical, beautiful and well-known piece that’s played a lot but people underestimate its difficulty – it’s hard to control breathing so that makes it challenging,” he said.
The musician started playing the sax at age 10.
“I actually first performed the same piece at Cronulla Leagues Club, but that was a little showcase – this will be a different experience.
“But I’ve done gigs regularly so the nerves don’t strike me much – I just get up and play.”
Each year, new works by student composers have their premiere on the concert platform at Encore.
The program celebrates student achievement and demonstrates the rich diversity of the three music courses available for HSC study in NSW.
The Encore honour roll acknowledges music 2 and music extension students who submitted a prepared essay, and music 1 students who presented a ten-minute discussion with the examiners during their practical exams.
These courses offer students opportunities to develop musical knowledge, skills and understanding of a variety of musical styles and genres.
