Thanks to the wonderful efforts by all students, teachers and of course, Mrs Idrus, this year has gone off without a hitch…mostly.

Term 1 brought the formation of the long awaited, ehmm, Marsden High School Junior Stage Band. With students ranging from year 7 to year 9, this will be one to last. With all bands and the vocal groups gearing up for the performance nights, open nights, assemblies and of course our biggest and most important project of the year, the school CD, everyone has been very busy! More on the famous CD later.

Term 2 was a frantically busy one for all musicians, great and small, culminating with the production of the school CD in week 10, which features our ensembles, as well as solo and small group performances by our HSC students.

The term kicked off with the Sydney North Music Festival in May, where we had 30 students from years 7 to 12 involved in choirs, bands, orchestra and as soloists, and solo artists. It was certainly a night to make us Marsdenites all feel proud of our talented students.

Two weeks later it was time for our Annual Performing Arts Camp, which was yet again run and organised by Ms Idrus, and involved 50 students, again from all years. With such a large group of people (bigger than the “charades” camp, I think???), it could have been a disaster waiting to happen, but for Ms Swinkels, Miss Cathcart and Ms Idrus, anything is possible, even a pleasant and quiet camp… but not likely!

The improvement in the ensembles choirs, and drama groups were significantly noticeable. The camp as always brought a few surprises with the performances.

The effect was very evident in the quality of our Annual Performing Arts Night, held on June 24th.

With outstanding performances by both drama and music departments, our large and enthusiastic audience were treated to a dazzling array of vocal, instrumental and dramatic talent from students from all years, even if we were locked out of the John Hagan Hall, and resolutely started a half hour later.

As always, a note of sadness accompanied the excellent performances for Mrs Idrus in particular, was hit the hardest, with the farewell performances of her beloved year 12. These students have been an important part of our musical activities for many years, and they will be greatly missed, not only as performers, but also as the wonderful people they are. On behalf of the whole of Marsden High, AND Mrs Idrus, I would like to thank them for the pleasure they have given us all over the years and to wish them the best in everything they ever do.

Okay, I know you’ve been waiting for it, the double CD1 The name, CHOSEN BY Mrs Idrus, is MAGICAL MUSICAL MADNESS – MARSDEN 2003. The CD features many of these students (year 12’s), mentioned above. The double CD also features the talents of the Junior Band, Junior Stage Band, Concert Band and vocal groups as well as solo and small group performances from our HSC students; RACHEL PEACHEY, KATE HANLEY, JON REICHARDT, DAVID JOHNSON, MELE OLIVETTI, SOPHIA ZONG and NEINI TUIPULOTU.

The second CD is devoted entirely to our Senior Stage Band, with 13 tracks of the best of the best. What a great way to remember Marsden!!! At only $20, the double CD set was a worthy investment for all.

Term 3 was much the same, with rehearsals, and the biggest yet, a Marsdenite, DAVID JOHNSON, nominated for Encore!! This concert, which takes place at the OPERA HOUSE in early February, highlights the TOP PERFORMERS from the HSC music performance students!! While a nomination doesn’t necessarily mean that the student will be selected to perform, it does highlight David as one of the best performers in the state in both Public and Private Schools.

Then came the Graduation Assembly, at which 103 students from year 12 Graduated. The ceremony also featured powerful performances by the HSC drama students JONATHAN GLOVER, KATE HANLEY, MATHEW PRICE and KASSANDRA UNGER of their group devised play: “Sculpture Of Society”.

The audience were also treated with performances by Year 12 Music Students; David Chang, David Johnson, Mele Olivetti, Rachel Peachey, Jon Reichardt, Gotha Sjam, Neini Tuipulotu and Sophia Zong. These people have been a very important part of our music here at Marsden for many years, and it was wonderful to be reminded of the pleasure they have given us.

As always, it is terrible to say goodbye to old friends, and come to the realisation they will not be coming back, but as always, we all felt extremely proud of them and wish them all the best!

On behalf of all students past and present, I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, our excellent music teacher, mentor, year advisor, but most of all, our friend Mrs Idrus for her dedication over the years and her uncanny ability to make you feel either so small for not coming to band, or on top of the world for just being you, she is one hell of a teacher!

By fellow Marsdenite, Kathleen Ashford