Music Camp – Kaleidoscope 2025
Music Camp and the Junior Music Festival are highlights of the year for our music students. These dedicated days give everyone the chance to celebrate their hard work and witness the growth that happens through rehearsals, sectionals, and special performances from visiting artists. It’s a time when our young musicians really come into their own, and it’s something that excites our Head of Music, Paul Kinsella, every year.
Building Skills and Confidence
These experiences contribute so much to students’ musical development and confidence. They create opportunities to observe peers, rehearse with tutors, and be inspired by professional musicians, all of which help spark the motivation needed to stick with their practical studies and keep improving.
The Power of Alumni Inspiration
One tradition that always stands out is the performance by alumni at Kaleidoscope. Seeing former students return to the stage shows what’s possible to achieve in the local music scene and makes a career in music feel real and within reach. This year, Helen Shanahan (2005) and Clare Perrott (2021) performed and shared their experiences with our musicians.
Collaboration and Connection
Collaboration is at the heart of these events. Students from different year groups learn alongside each other, with more experienced musicians mentoring and inspiring those who are newer to their craft. Music Camp, in particular, lets students mix naturally and build friendships, strengthening the culture that has been part of our program for so many years.
Hard Work, Good Food and Great Fun
Rehearsals can be full-on, but interest and energy stay high thanks to a wide range of repertoire covering many styles and genres. The fun of the evening activities gives everyone a chance to relax and let their hair down. A special mention must also be made of the delicious food prepared by our wonderful catering team, keeping everyone well-fed and happy!
Moments That Stay With You
Music Camp always delivers moments that give you goosebumps. The weather somehow always manages to be the coldest week of the year, or at least feels like it!
Paul shares, “It’s a privilege to be part of so many special moments that happen during rehearsals or evening activities. We are fortunate to share these experiences with such dedicated young musicians”.
What’s Next for the Music Department?
There is still plenty to look forward to this year from the Music Department. Showcase is shaping up to be something special, with so many strong musicians taking part. Paul is especially excited for our fantastic Year 12 group, who are simply outstanding.
Paul’s Advice for New Musicians
And for any student thinking about joining an ensemble? Paul’s advice is simple: “Don’t think – just come along. Sit in and see how it feels. There’s no pressure to play straight away. If you like the atmosphere, come back next week. Then repeat. That’s how it starts and that’s how the music community keeps growing.”
Thank You for the Music
Thank you to our dedicated Music Department for creating these wonderful opportunities for our students to connect, grow, and be inspired through music. Tess, our Year 12 Music Captain, summed it up beautifully when reflecting on her final Kaleidoscope:
“My last Kaleidoscope has left me feeling truly grateful for all the amazing music opportunities I have been offered here at Santa Maria. As Music Captain, it has been a blessing to get to know all the younger students, and I have loved being able to share the same sense of belonging that I feel throughout the Music Department with them. I have learned a number of things, but above all, it has taught me the importance of community and how it thrives when all members possess dedication and hard work.”
It’s this sense of belonging, collaboration and community spirit that makes our music program such a special part of College life.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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