Over the last couple of weeks I have been asking my students for their thoughts on What Makes a Good Musician? We compiled them all on a poster and I was very impressed by the insight and sophistication of some of the answers from my younger students. Clearly, it is never too young to start the conversation!
It was a pleasure today to accompany three wonderful students who participated in the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW Hills District Junior Music Festival. Joyce Chen (pictured) earned a Third Place against 13 competitors in the Intermediate Section, whilst her younger sister, Grace, gave her first public performance in the Novice Section. Charlotte S also gave a wonderful performance and earned a Second Place from a field of 11 competitors in the Late Intermediate Section. I was so proud of all the girls who put a lot of effort into polishing their performances and delighting the audience with their contributions. Top Marks to these Top Notes students!
A special commendation this week to Top Notes Music Studio flute student, Hannah who took time out of her busy schedule to play in a concert organised by the Inner Wheel Club of Baulkham Hills to help raised funds for disadvantaged students attending Stewart House. Hannah is also an advanced level pianist, and she played Marriage of Love, made famous by Richard Clayderman, and a Tarantella by Mendelssohn. Hannah learns piano from Mariana Batkhan. The Assembly Hall at Kellyville High School was packed on Wednesday night for the performances by local public school students, and Hannah carried off her first performance to such a large group with confidence and flair. Well done Hannah!
It’s been one of those weeks where none of us could quite believe our eyes! Every one of my four students who did AMEB exams last Saturday passed with either Honours or a High Distinction!
These four girls, Emma (Grade Four), Caitlin (Grade Three), Charlotte (Grade Three) and Alyssa (Grade Two) are a wonderful group of young people who have all worked consistently throughout the year to achieve these fabulous results.
Special mention goes to Emma who has completed all the Grades – One to Four – over the last two years, doing an exam every six months and achieving an Honours pass in each exam, and to Caitlin who passed her exam with a High Distinction.
So proud of you all girls, and thanks for being such great students!
The Eisteddfod season is upon us and Top Notes Music Studio students have shown off all their hard work with fabulous performances and results over the last two weekends. It is no easy thing to stand up and perform in front of an adjudicator and a room full of strangers, particularly if it is the first time at an Eisteddfod or competition, and all the students managed their nerves extremely well and came across as very composed. These experiences help build confidence and resilience that carries over into other areas of life, as well as exposing students to the broader world of music outside of the school band. Congratulations once again to:
Penrith Eisteddfod August 2016
Joyce Chen
Alyssa Collins
Caitlin Handel
Anish Joseph
Adhav Manoj Pillai
Anika Pandey
Caitlin Power
Charlotte S
Full details of all the awards are listed here.
Congratulations to Alyssa Collins and Caitlin Power who competed in the Hawkesbury City Eisteddfod yesterday with great success. Eisteddfods are a great way to practise professional presentation and realise the rewards that come from working a piece of music up to a performance standard. These experiences also help build confidence and resilience that students can carry over into other areas of their lives. I was very proud of both these students. Stay tuned for more results from City of Penrith Eisteddfod next weekend!
Alyssa Collins
Second Place – Special Restricted 12 Years and Under
Highly Commended – Restricted 12 Years and Under
Caitlin Power
First Place – Restricted 17 Years and Over
First Place – Instrumental Grade Seven
First Place – Wind Championship 15 Years and Over
End of year exam entries have just been submitted! Exams are about three months away. Good luck to Alyssa, Anish, Caitlin, Charlotte, Deborah and Emma. 
Keep up the regular practice and you will do well! Don’t forget there are lots of useful resources on this page to help you.
Pravin, his Mum and Dad and I are very proud of his success in his recent Certificate of Performance Flute exam. The Certificate of Performance comes after Grade Eight and requires the performance of a 30 minute program of four contrasting pieces. Pravin prepared all this in just six months after completing Grade Eight, as well as coping with his Year 10 school work, performing in a school musical and play, and hosting an international exchange student. He certainly is a high achiever! Well done Pravin!
And more entries ready to go for Hawkesbury City Eisteddfod, Saturday 13th August.
Happy practising ahe
ad for Alyssa and Caitlin (Power)!
City o
f Penrith Eisteddfod entries are ready to go in the post tomorrow!
Good luck Joyce, Anika, Adhav,
Anish, Charlotte and Caitlin (Handel)! 
Top Notes Music Studio 