NEGS Senior Vocal Ensemble at Kent House

On Thursday the 21st July Mrs Mary Wright (Director of Development) and Ms Leanne Roobol (Director of Music) took 7 girls from the NEGS Senior Vocal Ensemble to sing at the 21st Birthday Party of Kent House. The girls sang "Seal Lullaby", "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen and "Amazing Grace". 

All the girls sang beautifully and everyone was saying how lovely it was to listen to (including the Mayor of Armidale!). 

Special thanks must go to Ms. Euna Yeom who accompanied the girls on piano, Mrs Mary Wright who organised to get our girls over there and to Ms Leanne Roobol who works with the girls every week to further their vocal education. 

Please find a photo below.

Diary Updates

Hello Everyone,

Just a few dates for your diary about Old Girls' Functions:

Tuesday 9th August: Sydney Old Girls' AGM
Wednesday 7th September: QLD Old Girls' AGM and evening function.

Stay tuned for more news and updates.

Review: NEGS Vocal Ensemble at the Scouts' Function

Last Saturday the 19th of February, the NEGS Senior Vocal Ensemble performed at the Scouts' Function, "Wedding Gowns of Yesteryear."

The girls, conducted by Ms. Leanne Roobol and accompanied by Ms. Sheila Guymer, presented 4 items, Mozart's 'Ave Verum', John Rutter's 'A Gaelic Blessing', Howard Goodall's 'The Lord is My Shepherd' (made famous by the Vicar of Dibley) and Stephen Schwartz' 'For Good' from the musical Wicked.

The girls performed extremely well, especially as they have several new members and only had 2 rehearsals beforehand. Many people of the community have commented and given very positive feedback.

Mollie Galvin (Year 10) is to be congratulated as she performed a solo item at this event, "I'll Know" from Guys and Dolls. Mollie's tone has developed very well over the last couple of months and she is singing with poise and conviction.

Special thanks must go to Leanne Roobol and Sheila Guymer for all their amazing work with this ensemble. We are so lucky to have such committed staff working with us.
Special thanks also to David Rose who drove the bus for us.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

This will be the last post on the blog this year, so with that we'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Holy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you all for your continued support of the school, through all the ups and downs and we sincerely hope you continue to do so into the New Year.
We'll be back in January with more updates for your diary!!
Enjoy your holidays, and see you in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

The NEGS Carol Service and Drama Night

The NEGS Carol Service and Drama Night were held on Tuesday the 7th December with the Carols starting at 5pm in the NEGS Chapel. It was a beautiful evening with Readings being presented by a wide selection of the school community. The Carols themselves were a huge success with the whole Music Department involved. There was the NEGS Choir still as large as ever singing such favourites as the Angel Gabriel, Once in Royal David's City, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, conducted by our very own Director of Music, Ms. Leanne Roobol and accompanied by the lovely Ms Sheila Guymer on piano and organ, the NEGS String Ensemble. The NEGS Vocal Ensemble, 3-6 Choir and Junior Vocal Ensemble also sang some solo items such as the Three Drovers, Away in A Manger, Star Carol, and Personet Hodie, with selected girls singing solos within these items. The NEGS Vocal Ensemble combined with the TAS Chapel Choir and the NEGS Handbells to sing the wonderful Carol of the Bells which was stunning to listen to.
The Staff Choir even sang a carol in three parts unaccompanied to great acclaim.
The NEGS Choir then combined with the TAS Chapel Choir and the NEGS Staff Choir to sing the big finale, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, conducted by Phil Oxley and accompanied by Sheila Guymer on organ and Dave Brown on Trumpet.

The NEGS Drama Night began at 7:30pm after a BBQ on the lawns in front of the library. Jeannie Cole's Speech and Drama students outdid themselves with their performances all excerpts from larger plays and many had a fantastic comedic element that was highly enjoyed by all. There were plays and skits from Monty Python, Hating Alison Ashley and Living with Lady Macbeth to name a few.

A very special thank you to Mrs. Rowena Tall (Head of St. John's Music), Mr. Phil Oxley (Conductor and NEGS Music Teacher), Ms. Sheila Guymer (Organist and Pianist Extraordinaire), Mr. Dave Brown (Trumpet), Ms. Eleanor Streatfeild (Director of Strings), TAS Chapel Choir and of course Ms. Leanne Roobol (Director of Music) for all your hard work in organising music, rehearsals and preparing the girls. Because of your efforts we are able to boast the degree of excellence in music that is to be found at NEGS.

A very special thank you to Jeannie Cole (Drama) for organising the entire drama night and for rehearsing and preparing the girls so diligently. Yes, we have very talented students, but that would count for nothing if we didn't have your expertise to guide them.

NEGS Supporters' Function November 2010

Last Thursday evening saw the NEGS Community hosting its first event in the new Junior School Library. The evening began at 5:00pm and was a function to say thank you to all the 2010 Supporters of NEGS.

The Music Department provided beautiful background music featuring vocal solos from Kate Ramsay (Year 9), Ali Moore (Year 9), Meg Fairbairn (Year 9), Zoe O'Sullivan (Year 11), Fabienne Sakker (Year 11) with our very own Director of Music, Leanne Roobol accompanying them on piano.

We at NEGS would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support of NEGS this past year and the years to come.

Meg Fairbairn, Zoe O'Sullivan, Ali Moore, Fabienne Sakker, Kate Ramsay and Leanne Roobol

Review - NEGS Twilight Concert

Last night 17th November, 2010 saw the Music Department hosting their final Twilight Concert for the year.
It was a wonderful evening and the students performed admirably, showcasing all the hard work they have put into learning their instrument. Students from Year 6 right through to Year 11 performed that evening, playing a range of instruments. Holly McDonald Year 8, who learns piano from Ms Sheila Guymer, deserves a special mention, as this was her first Twilight Concert and indeed the first time she has performed in front of an audience since she started here this year.

Special thanks to Ms. Sheila Guymer for accompanying the students, for rehearsing with them, and for helping them to prepare for the concert. You've given up so much of your time, and it's greatly appreciated.
Thanks must also go to our fabulous peripatetic staff, who teach our students. They have improved vastly under your tuition.

It was a fabulous evening for all involved and I hope there will be many more.