Music as More Than Performance: Nurturing Creativity and Confidence at St Augustine’s College

“Music is important for the following reasons: it is abstract, it doesn’t mean anything outside itself. Music does not describe. Music does not narrate. Music does not tell stories. Music evokes. Music suggests, music implies, and music opens up the mind of a child in an extraordinary way. This abstraction about music is what offers a child the chance to move into a really special way of thinking.” Richard Gill OAM

The late Richard Gill OAM, one of Australia’s most revered conductors and music educators, championed music education as essential to a child’s development, and at St Augustine’s College, we embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly.

We believe that music is a vital part of holistic education and not just an extracurricular activity or a skill to be mastered; it nurtures creativity, imagination, and emotional intelligence, enriching the lives and minds of our students beyond the classroom.

Celebrating Our Musicians: The Years 9 & 10 Soirée

With this in mind, the spirit was alive and vibrant at our recent Years 9 and 10 Music Soirée. The Music Centre buzzed with energy as students, families, and staff gathered to celebrate the impressive achievements of our Elective Music students. The evening was a rich showcase of diverse talent, featuring solo performances in a wide range of styles that drew on their studies in Musical Theatre and Rock Music.

The audience was treated to vocals, guitar, drums, piano, woodwind, and brass performances where each student brought their own unique style and dedication to the stage. It was an exceptional night and more than just a performance - it was a celebration of confidence, creativity, and community spirit.

Music and the Mind: Why It Matters

Richard Gill argued that music’s abstract nature encourages a special way of thinking- one that fosters imagination and opens the mind.

At St Augustine’s College, we share Gill’s vision - a vision that won him several awards due to his contributions. Gill’s work in music education strongly advocated the importance of music as a critical element in child and human development. Our Music Curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be comprehensive, sequential, inclusive, and broad, offering students opportunities to develop musically while supporting their overall growth. This curriculum reflects our commitment to educating the whole person, recognising that music shapes not only technical skills but also emotional and cognitive capacities.

Private Music Tuition: Personalised Growth

To complement our robust curriculum, St Augustine’s College offers a Private Music Tuition Program, providing boys with one-on-one instruction on a variety of instruments. This personalised learning pathway allows students to explore their musical interests deeply, hone their technique, and express their creativity in a supportive environment.

We encourage families interested in further enriching their son’s musical journey to contact our Head of Music or our Administrative Assistant for Music for more information.

Nurturing the Whole Person

The Years 9 and 10 Music Soirée was a reflection of the College’s enduring values. Through music, our students grow into imaginative, confident, and emotionally intelligent young men ready to face the world with creativity and resilience. We congratulate all our performers and thank the dedicated music staff who make these milestones possible. We eagerly look forward to the musical journeys ahead.