Instrumental Music Applications Open

Families are reminded that to undertake Instrumental lessons at CMCB you need to complete the application form (link below). We would like to commence lessons in Week 4, so please get your applications in as soon as possible. Any questions, please email: music_admin@cmcb.vic.edu.au

Lesson options at the Coolock Campus are for group lessons or individual lessons. Only individual lessons are available at the St Mary's Campus.

In response to demand from families in 2025, we have introduced a new option for tuition in 2026 regarding ensemble participation and school events. Details via link below.

Instrumental Music Lessons Expression of Interest 2026

Ensembles

Lunchtime ensembles will commence over the next two weeks. The before-school rehearsals will start in Week 5. Families will need to check their PAM dashboard for permissions for their child to take part in the before-school rehearsals.

Year 7 Music

We enjoyed a very busy Thursday and Friday in Week 2 when our new cohort of Year 7s had their Instrument Demonstration Days. Our fantastic external instrumental staff, Mr Hunt, Mrs Martin, Mr Pennings and Ms Parry joined Ms Ingwersen to demonstrate the choice of instruments available to students.

PLEASE NOTE: All families of students undertaking Year 7 classroom Music in 2026 will need to check on PAM in coming days for their consent form to use the school instruments. This will need to be completed before students are allowed to take any music equipment home.

Opening Mass

We have a large contingent of student musicians and vocalists who have been working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we are ready for a musically rich Opening Mass, made all the more special this year as we are back in Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate our 150^th year. The students will be performing from the grand gallery at the back of the Cathedral, with the backdrop of the beautiful stained-glass windows, assisted by Dr Paul Taylor, the Director of Music at the Cathedral. A much-anticipated inclusion in our Mass will be the Suscipe of Catherine McAuley sung by the choir.

Following Opening Mass, one of our VCE piano students, Jamie Dearricott, will be performing for our guests and school leadership at the reception in St Mary’s Courtyard.

Year 7 Welcome Liturgy

On Monday 16 February, selected Year 7 students and senior students will be providing music at our Welcome Liturgy for new Year 7 families. Liturgies and Masses offer our students the experience of providing music for reflection at College events and the Year 7 Welcome Evening is the first of many to come. We thank our senior students for their encouraging guidance, support and mentoring of our up-and-coming musicians.

Caritas – Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday 17 February, Shrove Tuesday, the Year 10 Music class will join the Christian Leadership students in the Hargreaves Mall to support the diocesan launch of Project Compassion for Caritas Australia. Numerous Catholic schools in the wider Bendigo region will be performing, with the focus being on justice, peace and international issues. Mia James (Year 10) will be representing us for this performance while our other students will be fundraising in Hargreaves Mall. This is from 10.30am to 12.00 noon and free pancakes on offer to those in attendance. If you are available, come down to support our students and Project Compassion.

Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent

The last of our busy events in these beginning weeks of the year is providing music for the Ash Wednesday. Liturgies will be held on each campus, with our solo music students supporting this important service with thoughtful reflection pieces.

Music @ CMCB