SMC Orchestra in New Zealand!

St Mary Star of the Sea College is an independent Catholic College for girls. It was founded as a parish school in 1873 by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan under the guidance and direction of Archbishop Polding, the first Catholic Bishop of Australia.

The College is situated in Wollongong, which is approximately 40 minutes from the city of Sydney. It has beautiful views over the ocean and its close proximity to the centre of town provides teachers and students with opportunities to take advantage of many academic, cultural and sporting events.

Over the 136 years of Catholic education, the College has expanded its buildings, its curriculum, its horizons in order to keep pace with the changing nature of the world we live in.

The extensive creative and performing arts program at St Mary’s cultivates creativity, spirituality, identity, self expression and personal satisfaction. Students are encouraged to form ensembles such as rock bands, chamber groups, string quartets, a-cappella groups and many more. Students enjoy the friendships developed through group performances in the Stage band, the College orchestra and College choirs. 

The St Mary’s College Orchestra is the most advanced instrumental ensemble at the College and currently caters to over thirty five students. The group has performed at many events within the College and the greater Wollongong area, winning the Wollongong Eisteddfod School Ensemble Section in 2008.

The Orchestra’s conductor is Peter Wouters who has directed the group since 2007.

The group is travelling to Rotorua in New Zealand at the end of June 2009 to participate in Rhapsody Rotorua, one of the largest youth music festivals in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the orchestra’s first international tour.