Toowoomba Grammar School students earn selection in prestigious music programs

Talented musicians from Toowoomba Grammar School have been selected for the Australian and State Honours Ensemble Program.

TGS music students (from left) James Crothers, Joshua Green, Sean Bain, Angus Mohr, Isaac Constable, Hamish Wells, Ruben Fitton and Banjo Seaniger, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Music students from Toowoomba Grammar School will have the chance to perform on the big stage and learn from the best in the business, after earning places in state and national honours programs.

Year 10 student Ruben Fitton and Year 12 students Angus Mohr and Hamish Wells have been successful with their audition for the Australian Honours Ensemble Program, the highest level of achievement for the Honours program, while Isaac Constable, Joshua Green, Praj Gupte, Banjo Seaniger, Finlay Waring, Sean Bain, James Crothers and Nethul Manamperi were all selected in the State Honours Ensemble Program.

The boys were among thousands of hopefuls from across Australia who auditioned for the program, with only about 100 performers selected.

TGS music students (from left) James Crothers, Joshua Green, Sean Bain, Angus Mohr, Isaac Constable, Hamish Wells, Ruben Fitton and Banjo Seaniger, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hamish, a baritone vocalist, was selected to be in the choral section of the AHEP and said it was an exciting opportunity.

A singer since Year 4, Hamish said he had been a member of choirs since junior school and has been in love with performance ever since.

“I’ve always really enjoyed performing in front of people and entertaining people and at the same time having a fun time with friends I think that’s the best part about it,” he said.

Also selected to take part in the AHEP was cellist Angus Mohr, who was selected in the string orchestra.

“It’s really exciting to meet some new people and play some fantastic pieces in the next few months,” he said.

“I used to be a part of a lot of different music bands in the junior school, I used to do a bit of singing and piano before I moved on to cello about Year 6 and after that I joined junior strings and continued until Year 12.

“I love the social environment, the teamwork that’s involved in orchestras and choirs. When everything comes together, that sound you produce is absolutely amazing.”

TGS director of performance Natalie Otto said she was incredibly proud of all the hard working and talented students.

“We’re just so happy the boys can embrace these opportunities and can go further afield than Toowoomba then come back with new skills and knowledge they can share with the music program.”

AHEP provides an intensive environment of musical excellence, with their peers, under the leadership of a team of internationally eminent Australian conductors.

This program will be held at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, from Wednesday, September 29 to Saturday, October 2, 2021.