Our Senior St Clare’s Music students ventured to the annual DioSounds concert last Thursday, 8 June.  It was an early start, with the students on the bus and travelling even before the sun had risen… towards destination DioSounds!

Arriving at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle at 8:30 am, students were ushered to their dressing rooms before heading on stage for their lighting and sound checks.  No sooner had they completed this and they were dressed and ready for the Matinee Show at 10:30 am in front of an enthusiastic audience of fellow performers and Diocesan primary school students.

The final concert commenced at 6 pm where the students again showcased their talents in front of family, friends, and music lovers alike.  The vibe was joyous, and our students shone throughout their performances.

Year 11 and 12 students presented two outstanding items in our bracket:

1. Walk – Foo Fighters
2. The Voice – Brendan Graham

Year 11

Oliver Mitchell (Piano)
Alexander Hartup (Drums)
Booyong Dykshoorn (Electric Guitar)
Jet Cooke (Lead Vocals)
Elise Miles (Backing Vocals)
Raedyn Wheatley (Backing Vocals)
Larissa Dawes (Backing Vocals)

Year 12

Jai Payne (Vibraphone and Vocals)
Sienna Thornton (Snare Drum and Vocals)
Makayla Boere (Bass Drum and Vocals)
Kiara Conway (Gong and Vocals)
Teacher Mr Wayne McDougall (Piano)

The students showcased their talent and performed with over 400 music students across the diocese.  Their performances were truly outstanding, demonstrating great skill, musical diversity, and confidence on the stage.  Congratulations to all who took part in DioSounds.  Their commitment to preparation was admirable.

Thanks also goes to Mrs Rebecca Huett for all her assistance in organising us logistically to get down there and attend the event, to the senior music teachers Mrs Amanda Brooks and Mr Wayne McDougall for their guidance and support of the students as they prepared for this event and also thank you to our parents who picked up and dropped off their sons/daughters in the small hours of Thursday morning and evening.

Boarding the bus at the Civic Theatre at 8:30 pm we arrived back at St Clare’s at 11 pm.  The curtains had closed for our 2023 DioSounds, but it was amazing.  A day when memories were made, incredible life experiences had and a truly spectacular delivery of music to the DioSounds stage occurred.

It was a privilege to accompany such a wonderful group of students and staff to a very busy, exhausting and rewarding excursion.

Viva La Musica 

Mrs Amanda Brooks
Music Teacher