Marist College Ashgrove offers an ensemble-based program, providing opportunities for students to be involved in a wide variety of choral and instrumental activities. Over twenty small and large ensembles operate within the program each week and cater for students of all levels from beginners through to advanced students. The choral and instrumental ensemble program at Marist College Ashgrove is inclusive to all. Students will participate in one or more of the following core and extension ensembles.
Strings & Symphony
The College has a full Symphony Orchestra and four String Ensembles. Both Chamber Strings and Symphony Orchestra are comprised of students of the highest standard. However, the College caters for students of all abilities, including beginner and intermediate ensembles as well.
Strings & Symphony provides students with advanced musical development in an orchestral context and numerous performance opportunities throughout the year. Highlights for Strings & Symphony include the Cathedral Concert in Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral. As well as the biennial Blue & Gold Concert, featuring guest ensemble members from the Ashgrove community.
Guitar Ensembles
The College has a large guitar cohort, over 150 students and four ensembles. Ranging from beginner groups, starting as young as grade five and progressing into senior year levels, featuring some great talent fostered here at Marist.
Including diverse genres in both contemporary and classical styles, our Guitar Ensembles provide students with advanced musical development, including reading skills and numerous performance opportunities throughout the year. Noting the annual Cathedral and Chapel Concerts which provide a great acoustic setting for these ensembles.
Choral Ensembles
There are currently two core choral ensembles at the College: Marist Voices and Performance Choir. Marist Voices is a group catering for unchanged voices and Performance Choir consists of changed voice types (including Bass, Baritone and Tenor). Performance Choir also forms part of the liturgy ensemble, involved in various College masses throughout the year.
Many boys may experience challenges with singing as their voice changes. Joining a choral ensemble is a great way to navigate through this and enjoy many performance opportunities throughout the year while developing their musical skills. Some highlights include the local Ashgrove ANZAC Day Ceremony, as well as Annual Concerts held in the Molly & Len Draney Theatre.
Wind Ensembles
The College currently has three Wind Bands (Wind Orchestra 1, Wind Orchestra 2 and Wind Ensemble). These range across all levels of ability and cater for the large number of students who learn a woodwind, brass or percussion instruments across Years 5 to 12.
Wind Ensembles provide students with advanced musical development in an orchestral context. Each group is afforded a number of performing opportunities in the Molly & Len Draney Theatre throughout the year. Some of which are combined with other schools and musical entities. Some highlights include the Winds and Percussion Concert in Semester Two.