CREATIVE ARTS - MUSIC

Synergy Percussion

Musicians in Residence

Synergy Percussion

Newington College has formed a strategic alliance with Australia's premier percussion ensemble, Synergy Percussion. This music ensemble was formed in 1974 and now is made up of some of this country’s most outstanding percussionists. They have performed throughout Australia, Europe and Asia, to considerable acclaim.

Based at Newington's Secondary campus, Synergy Percussion rehearse, perform and teach across the College. In conference with the Head of Music, Mark Scott and the Head of Woodwind, Brass and Percussion, Paul Vickers, they develop educational programs to enhance both elective and non-elective music courses offered in the school, teach in the school’s private instrumental program, and have developed a leading percussion centre for boys, quite unique to the music education offered in any school setting. They now also form part of the Newington College community.

Given the wide range of performers and composers they have worked with, they have developed an innovative performing style spanning traditional and contemporary percussion from around the world. Since its formation, Synergy Percussion has pursued an ambitious program of commissions by Australian composers and in excess of thirty new works have entered the percussion repertoire as a result.

For our boys at Newington, there are performances, open rehearsals, master classes, visiting composers and artists, workshops, summer schools and, importantly, the opportunity to play and compose as part of a Newington percussion centre.

Synergy Performers: Michael Askill (Artistic Director), Timothy Constable (assistant artistic director), Alison Pratt and Bree van Reyk

Further information about Synergy Percussion is available on their website: www.synergypercussion.com.