Each year the Trustees for the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts stage a Winter Concert as part of our fundraising endeavours. We invite schools in the area to participate. This year, Guildford Grammar School, Helena College, and Eastern Hills Senior High School accepted our invitation. The evening began with Haylee Whisson, the 2021 RJAFTA scholarship winner and now a Trustee on the RJAFTA board, welcoming the audience to the concert. She also shared a brief overview of the award and its significance.

The Concert commenced with the Eastern Hills Concert Band, shining under the expert baton of Director Maurice Bourgault, delivering an excellent performance that showcased the immense talent of its young musicians. The program featured a well-chosen repertoire, including Mt. Everest by Rossano Gallante, Éire by Melanie Donahue, and Dragonfly by Carlos Mattoia, each piece allowing the students to shine while challenging their musical capabilities. The wind section brought warmth and clarity, beautifully conveying the majestic rise and fall of Gallante's Mt. Everest. The brass section, with its bold and resonant tones, shone particularly in Éire, where Donahue's evocative melodies were brought to life with sensitivity and emotion. The percussion section was a true standout, offering a dynamic and precise performance that elevated every piece. Their rhythmic energy in Dragonfly was brilliant, capturing the vivid imagery of the titular insect's flight with finesse and flair. The students performed with expertise beyond their years—but also evident was the passion and dedication they brought to the performances under Maurice Bourgault’s skilled direction.

Guildford Grammar guitarist Daniel Klinger’s solo performance of Flamenco Musings was a delight, transporting the audience to the sun-soaked streets of Spain as his fingers danced across the fretboard with confidence, seamlessly blending fiery rasgueados and tender melodic passages, each note infused with emotion and authenticity.

The 8 students performing in Helena College Strings showcased their versatility and emotional depth. Accompanied by experienced Director Bill Napier, their rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye) was poignant, with lovely phrasing that captured the piece’s heartfelt sentiment. Equally impressive was their lively interpretation of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, where the ensemble brought energy and precision, infusing the contemporary hit with a fresh, classical charm that delighted the audience.

Although all of the performances of the evening were truly commendable, the standout performance of the evening undoubtedly belonged to emerging piano virtuoso Orlando Bourgault, a year 12 student at EHSHS. Taking to the EHSHS grand piano, he delivered a mesmerising rendition of Chopin’s Ballade in G Minor that left the audience spellbound. Bourgault’s interpretation was a masterful blend of technical talent and emotional depth, showcasing skill far beyond his youthful years.

The Guildford Strummers Yellow, led by Jon Edwards, delivered an engaging performance showcasing their versatility as an ensemble. Opening with Paul Svoboda’s Sapphire Beach, they captured its breezy charm with fluid melodies and intricate strumming, followed by the elegant Gentle Morpheus, Son of Night, a Handel adaptation by Andrew Forrest, highlighting their classical capabilities. Closing with Jango, a lively Ventures classic arranged by Edwards, they brought energy and precision to a rousing finale.

After a brief intermission, Ben Bulla, the 2022 RJAFTA scholarship recipient, shared insights from his recent trip to Spain, where he studied under Flamenco Guitar Master Marcello Rubio. He explained how the RJAFTA and its Trustees supported his award project, which involved one-on-one masterclasses with a guitar expert. Ben highlighted how the Trust funded his airfare, accommodation, living expenses, and tuition for his month-long study in Spain. He encouraged other young, emerging artists to visit the RJAFTA website for more information on the scholarship opportunities. Bulla then treated the audience to a showcase of Flamenco pieces he learnt whilst in Spain.

Following Bulla’s performance, Eastern Hills Guitar Ensemble took the stage, impressively self-directed in the absence of their director. They delivered a polished set, starting with Paul Svoboda’s Alegría, showcasing their precision and rhythmic cohesion. Their arrangement of Blackbird (Couasnon) brought a delicate, lyrical quality, while Charlton’s Merengue highlighted their versatility with its lively, syncopated rhythms. The ensemble closed with a spirited, foot-tapping rendition of Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love, delighting the audience.

Director Jon Edwards returned to the stage with the Guildford Improvised Ensemble, delivering a soulful and dynamic performance. The set opened with the smooth grooves of Harp Blues Jam (Little Walter), showcasing the group’s tight rhythmic interplay and improvisational flair. John Mayer’s Gravity followed, with expressive phrasing and a rich, melodic depth that captivated the audience. They closed with a spirited rendition of Freddie King’s Hideaway, brimming with energy and precision. Edwards’ direction and the ensemble’s talent combined to create a performance that the audience found delightfully engaging.

Eastern Hills Senior High School Year 12 student Ethan Lockyer once again showcased his exceptional talent, this time on the drum kit with a riveting solo performance of Favela. Having impressed audiences last year with his skills on the vibraphone, Lockyer demonstrated his versatility and mastery as a percussionist, delivering a dynamic and rhythmically intricate piece. His performance affirmed the praise from his teachers, who have confidently predicted a bright future for this young musician in concert bands.

Guildford Grammar student Mackenzie Knoop-Bender captivated the audience with her solo performance, singing I'm Not Afraid by Jason Robert Brown. Her emotive voice and confident stage presence drew the audience in, showcasing her vocal range and depth. Knoop-Bender’s performance affirms that she is a talent to watch into the future.

The Helena College Classical Guitar Ensemble, led by long-time director Jane Rigden, brought the evening to a close with their proficiently executed performance. They began with a vibrant rendition of Vivaldi’s Concerto in C, displaying technical skill and dynamic range. The ensemble then transitioned to Richard Charlton’s Voyage of the Green Sea Turtle, where Rigden’s direction brought out the full potential of the ensemble, leaving an impression with their engaging performance.

The Trustees extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the participating schools—Maurice Bourgault (EHSHS), Jon Edwards and Kay Timms (Guildford Grammar School), and Kirsten Greenshaw, Jane Rigden, and Bill Napier (Helena College)—for their cooperation, and especially to the performers for their dedication and skill in delivering another enjoyable concert. A special thanks goes to the students and their families for the countless hours of practice and rehearsal that made this event possible. We also appreciate EHSHS for generously providing the excellent performance space and facilities for the concert.

This was more than a student concert; it was a testament to the transformative power of music education and the boundless potential of young talent. Bravo to all involved!