Recorders and strings take centre stage
09 Sep 2025
Our Recorder Ensemble and Senior Strings performed alongside hundreds of students from across NSW at the Sydney Opera House Jacaranda concert. Read what our students had to say about the experience.
By the 2025 Recorder Ensemble
On Monday the 8th September, the Stanmore Recorder Ensemble and the Senior String Ensemble performed at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Jacaranda concert.
We worked really hard for three terms to get to this one day. We weren’t sure what to expect at the beginning when we first started but with lots of practice and rehearsals we became more confident.
When we got to the Opera House for the day rehearsal we were nervous but really excited.
We performed 'Rondo', 'Fireflies' and 'Elvenwood'. There were 500 recorders. We were accompanied by a live band. There were over 2000 people watching us. There were also some soloists who we got to watch perform. There were 30 schools joining us. We performed with many different types of recorders but the part we played was Descant 2. Next year some of us might try a new type of recorder.
It was really great to also watch the Senior String Ensemble playing with the 250 string players. They played ‘Bushwhacker Stomp’ and ‘Generals Order’. We felt like a great team when we played ‘Elvenwood’ all together.
It was a really fun experience!
Our exceptional team
We’re very grateful to our amazing music teachers - Ms Bridget Poon (Recorder Ensemble), Ms Freya Schack-Arnott (Senior Strings), and Mr Darius Kaperonis for his support on the night.
Music to our ears
In Term 4, all Year 2 students will begin to learn Recorder in Music with Ms Poon. Thank you for the P&C for supporting our Music program by funding and preparing the recorders so all Year 2 students have a brand new recorder ready to use in lessons!
The value of music education
In this TEDx Talk Richard Gill argues the case for igniting the imagination through music and the positive impact music can have on a child's developing mind.
"The neurological evidence for music is in, in a spectacular way ... Music is worth teaching for its own sake. It is worth teaching because it is good, it is worth teaching because it is unique, and it is worth teaching because it empowers children spectacularly."
Richard Gill AO
TEDxSydney - Richard Gill - The Value of Music Education
Richard Gill AO (1941-2018) was an iconic Australian musician, conductor, and educator whose contributions to the world of music left an indelible mark. He was also a resident of Stanmore.
With an unwavering passion for nurturing young talent, he dedicated his life to transforming the landscape of music education in Australia.
Richard Gill’s influential career spanned over five decades, during which he conducted orchestras, mentored countless students, and championed the importance of music in society.