2022 CAIRNS REGIONAL TOUR

GRANTLEY SUTCH Co-Director of Cocurricular Music and Head of Bands

Last December, 70 students from Symphonic Winds and Senior Stage Band embarked on a tour to Cairns. Students began the tour with a pre-tour rehearsal in the Band Room followed by a packing afternoon to prepare the 12 tonnes of equipment required for the trip. All our heavy percussion equipment was driven up by truck two days before our departure and on Wednesday 30 November we departed for Cairns. Arriving late afternoon, students were given some free time to explore the Esplanade before dinner. In usual Cairns style we were drenched by a tropical rainstorm. After a dry off and dinner, we returned to our hotel for the night.

Day one of the tour began with a performance at Woree State High School and dinner at the local shopping mall. Cairns then turned on exceptional weather for the rest of the tour. Our day two adventures saw us heading to Port Douglas for a full day of performing, starting the day with a performance at Miallo State School where we met with the Music Teacher and St Peters Old Scholar Ms Jennifer Guyatt. Next, we headed to Mossman State High School for another performance and lunch break followed by an afternoon performance at Port Douglas State School. We then made our way to Hemingways in Port Douglas for dinner and a combined performance with the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band.

On our third day of the tour, students were treated to a visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures where we met some prehistoric friends and a variety of local animals. We then ventured to Palm Cove for a quick beach break and ice cream. The evening was topped off by a combined performance with the QYO Big Band and Australian-born international saxophone superstar Mike Rivett.

The tour continued to provide wonderful performance opportunities with the Innisfail Community Big Band, Balaclava State School, Hemingways Cairns and the Aveo Retirement Village. Students were also treated to a trip to Sugarworld Adventure Park, Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome High Ropes course, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail.

By far our most rewarding visit and performance was to Yarabah State School where we met with the students for a concert and the opportunity to gift the community with a selection of instruments to re-spark the Yarabah Band program. We hope our donation helps to bring music back to life at Yarabah.

After 10 days on the road, students and staff returned to Brisbane to unpack and enjoy a well earned Christmas holiday break. A huge thank you to Ms Saffery, Ms Chou, Ms Milner, Mr Jacobson and Mr Pradella for supporting the students and assisting to make such a wonderful opportunity possible.