Sunday Successes!

by

0

Ten Top Notes Music Studio  students had a wonderful day showing off their talents last Sunday when they participated in the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW Hills District Junior Music Festival.  It was wonderful to see many students come well prepared and smartly dressed, and give impressive performances of pieces they have worked so hard on over the last few weeks.  Caitlin Handel and Anish Joseph received Participation Certificates, and the following students received special commendations from the adjudicators.  A special mention should be made of Charlotte Choy who was also awarded a Highly Commended for her piano performance in the Intermediate section.  Well done to everyone for participating – and being the only Woodwind representatives in the entire Festival!    

Elementary Section (Grades 1-2)

Elementary Section Prize Winners ~ Charlotte Choy (extreme left), Adhav Manoj Pillai (extreme right next to Adjudicator, Ken Leeson)

Charlotte Choy ~ Highly Commended
Adhav Manoj Pillai ~ Highly Commended
Anika Pandey ~ Highly Commended
Hannah Wang ~ Highly Commended

 

 

 

Intermediate Section (Grades 3-4)
Charlotte S ~ First Place
Joyce Chen ~ Third Place

 

Late Intermediate Section (Grades 5-6)
Clara He ~ Third Place
Carol Xu ~ Highly Commended

Charlotte Choy and Cathy

 

 

 

 

 

Honours All Round!

by

0

Three Top Notes Music Studio students entered for AMEB exams in this mid-year session, and I am very excited to report that all of them were awarded As (Honours) passes and glowing comments on their reports!  Congratulations to Clara He and Carol Xu who did Grade Four, and Joyce Chen who did Grade Two.  Fabulous results and well earned rewards for regular and consistent work.  Well done girls!!  Special thanks too to Clara’s Mum, Amy, who accompanied Clara and Carol so proficiently for rehearsals and on the day of the exams.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diploma Success for Top Notes Music Studio

by

0

It has been a very exciting week for Top Notes Music Studio, Pravin Chanmugam, his family and myself as we received the wonderful news that Pravin had been successful in his AMusA (Associate in Music, Australia) diploma exam conducted by the Australian Music Examinations Board.  At the age of 17 this is an outstanding achievement for Pravin, who is now entitled to use the letters after his name!  Pravin’s achievement will also be recorded on the Honour Board in his school’s Music Department, where he will be the first student in the school to have achieved the AMusA on Flute.  Pravin has managed to juggle preparation for this exam with many other extra curricular activities in a schedule that makes me feel positively exhausted just hearing about it!  He has been supported every step of the way by devoted parents who have been real partners in his musical journey. Thanks should also go to his brilliant accompanist, Anne Hopkins, who has been available for rehearsals late into the evening, and flute teachers Melissa Hoile and Jocelyn Fazzone who have given Pravin additional lessons, tips and pointers over the last few months.  I’m looking forward to some more relaxed times with Pravin playing duets in the months to come as he prepares for his next challenges – his driving test and the HSC!  

 

Hannah shares her talents to help disadvantaged students

by

0

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!  

Charlotte Recommends Kids At The Con Holiday Workshops!

by

0

Holiday Workshops coming up: Tues 11 – Thurs 13 April

Following their sell-out success in January, the Kids at the Con Holiday Workshops are back again this April! They are fun and interactive as flute and piano student Charlotte found out last school holidays.  That’s Charlotte on the very right in the picture getting to experience making music in different ways and with different instruments, and having fun interacting with other children who love music just as much as she does.

One-hour workshops for 3-5 year olds: Tues 11th & Wed 12th April.

Half-day workshops for 6-10 year olds: Wed 12th & Thurs 13th April.

Click here to read more and book your child’s spot now!

 

 

 

 

Terrific Theory!

by

0

Yet another success for Year 11 student Pravin Chanmugam, as he continues his musical journey towards the coveted Associate Diploma in Music on flute.  Pravin has sandwiched his study for Grade Five Theory of Music in between a term as an exchange student at a school in Johannesburg, South Africa, participating in his school musical and Cadet Camp.  Hoping to just get enough marks to pass and meet the Theory requirement for his Diploma exam, Pravin amazed even himself by passing with no less than 91%.  A focused student who manages to keep many balls in the air at once, Pravin is a hard worker who always gives his best, even when his life seems to become overwhelmingly busy.  Congratulations Pravin, a fine achievement yet again!!

Congratulations to a fine bunch of students!

by

0

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! 

inset2

Eisteddfod Season Successes

by

0

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 20 August 2016

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.

 

 

 

Hawkesbury City Eisteddfod Successes!

by

0

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
caeb7c4287d5db995056019040d7420cSecond 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