MUSIC TO THEIR EARS
Nominated by their schools as outstanding young musicians, successful students will work in an intensive environment under the direction of three of Australia’s finest conductors; Ms Stefanie Smith — Wind Ensemble, Mr Mark Sullivan — String Ensemble and Mr Trevor Jones — Vocal Ensemble.
Kirwan State High School Year 12 student Callysta Morris, 16, has attended SHEP since primary school to participate in the strings section playing violin.
“It’s a good experience to go out and learn other techniques from different teachers, and also to learn different repertoire and make new instrumental friends,” she said.
“When you first get there you’re a bit nervous and excited because you don’t know what’s going to happen, but when you get into it and start learning the pieces you really start to have fun with it.” Ms Morris highly recommended the program to younger students wanting to make new friends and improve their music skills.
“Definitely do it, not only do you get to meet new people from other schools, you get to interact with older students who go along as well,” she said.
“It’s a really good experience to expand your horizons and have fun.”
Kirwan High senior instrumental teacher Caroline Lloyd- Doolan said she could not recommend the program highly enough to budding music students.
“We have probably the highest contingency of any school that participates yearly at the North Queensland SHEP,” she said.
“We always have repeat students that come back year after year, it’s a really good experience for them.
“The chance to work with other conductors from around Australia is invaluable.”