During the July School Holidays (28 June 28 – 7 July), our music students embarked on an unforgettable experience in Sydney as part of the Australian International Music Festival filled with exhilarating performances, enriching workshops, and captivating sightseeing.
Performance Highlights
Sydney Opera House Performance
One of the most prestigious moments of the tour was the opportunity for our students to perform at the iconic Sydney Opera House. This experience was a significant milestone, showcasing their talents on a world-renowned stage and leaving them with memories to cherish forever.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The Showband and Choir performed in the Verbrugghen Hall to an enthusiastic audience and were adjudicated by big band and choir experts, both receiving silver awards.
St James Church
Our choir’s rendition of the Aussie classic, “You’re the Voice” shook the foundations of the iconic church historic ambiance with our modern worship vibes.
Chatswood Concourse
The Concert Band put their skills to the test at the beautiful Chatswood Concourse under the keen ear of the adjudication judges, also achieving a silver award for their performance.
Congratulations to our music students on a successful Music Tour.
Workshops and Exchanges
Concert Band and Showband Workshop at Chatswood Concourse
This workshop allowed our Concert Band to refine their skills with professional guidance from the highly experienced Dr Ralph Hultgren and Sydney Jazz legend Jason Isaac, enhancing their performance techniques and ensemble cohesion.
Rehearsal Exchange with Ambrose Treacy College
This collaborative session fostered camaraderie and mutual learning, enriching the students’ understanding and appreciation of musical diversity.
Tourist Highlights
City Orientation Tour and Sydney Harbour Cruise
Upon arrival in Sydney, students embarked on an orientation tour familiarizing themselves with the city’s vibrant culture and landmarks.
Taronga Zoo Visit
A day at Taronga Zoo offered a refreshing break from rehearsals, with students enjoying close encounters with diverse wildlife and scenic views of Sydney Harbour.
Luna Park
A surprise for our students, the visit to Luna Park was filled with fun and excitement, providing students with a thrilling amusement park experience.
Farewell Dinner
A farewell dinner at The Star’s Harvest Buffet, celebrating the end of a successful and inspiring tour, thanks to One Mob P/L T/A Event Personnel for their generous donation covering this fitting end to a successful tour.
Throughout the tour, our students demonstrated exceptional musical prowess, camaraderie, and respect, making La Salle College proud on an international stage.
Special thanks to our Music Director, Samantha Ashman, and all the staff who supported this unforgettable journey, Heidi Lake, Shellie Rodriguez, Olivia van Wyk, Ben Ingram and Jacob Hughes.
Lilly (Yr 11)
The Sydney Tour was the experience of a lifetime. I really enjoyed showing off La Salle’s various bands and exploring the scenery. It was an absolute honour to represent La Salle as we ventured out of our comfort zones and made new connections and friendships. I am so grateful to all the people that made this trip happen and to all the effort put in behind the scenes. You guys made this trip amazing 🙂
April (Yr 12)
Sydney was absolutely amazing! After our Singapore Tour was cancelled due to COVID-19, this trip felt extra special. We got to perform at incredible venues, including the iconic Sydney Opera House. The workshops and performances we attended were super inspiring and helped us improve our skills in several ways.
Beyond the music, exploring Sydney together was a blast. From Darling Harbour to Luna Park, every moment was filled with fun and adventure. This tour truly celebrated our hard work and passion for music. We’re so grateful for this unforgettable experience and I’m sure the younger kids can’t wait for the next one! Thank you to everyone who made it possible!
Violet (Yr 9)
Being able to perform and interact with so many other schools made it worth the wait.
Bronte (Yr 12)
Sydney was amazing, a great once in a lifetime experience.
Mason (Yr 10)
Tour was one of the best things to ever happen in life. It was a once in a lifetime experience, it may have taken lots of hard work and time but if you work hard then the reward that follows feels like something you would never feel again. Even though some of the times were tiring, I would do it all over again just to have that experience all over again with all my friends.
Oliver (Yr 9)
This was one of the best experiences of my life, I felt like I was dreaming.
