ENCORE Showcase at Sydney Opera House

On Monday, 2 March, our Year 9–12 Elective Music students, accompanied by Ms Sherer, Ms Kohler, and Mr Garner, took a trip to the Sydney Opera House for the ENCORE Showcase by @nswedustandards, celebrating the best performances and compositions from the 2025 HSC Music 1, Music 2 and Extension cohorts.

Our crew incredibly proud to watch Leo (Music 1, Class of 2025) perform on piano – he opened Act 2 with “A Night in Tunisia”. He was brilliantly supported by the wonderful Murray James on bass guitar and the incredible Steve Lamante on drumkit. Leo looked very comfortable onstage and this performance was a highlight of the evening.

Our students were very inspired, and all had a great time. Molly in Year 11 summed it up perfectly:

“Watching ENCORE was a great experience. Seeing such a high standard of performance and the level of musicianship showcased what is possible for a young performer. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to brainstorm what repertoire I will select for my HSC in the upcoming year.
It was also a very proud moment to see Leo from The McDonald College performing. It was a vibrant night, and the appreciation and representation for the school were widely shared among all attending.

Overall, ENCORE was an amazing showcase. It allowed me to be inspired by other students’ HSC Music performances and helped me reflect on my own journey—as I will be in their position in a year’s time. It was a valuable opportunity to focus on my upcoming HSC.”