Margaret Chalmers Music Studio

Here we go… Piano sections of the Eisteddfod start today!

Pianoforte Sections start today at Queensland Conservatorium Of Music. We start with our tiny Piano players at 1pm. Come support our future Pianists. Tickets available at the door.

Full program available at https://mackayeisteddfod.com.au/

The cakes… surely the boss didn’t do these…?
Yup. She did it… (Did anyone mention she was recovering from a fractured elbow?)
Thank you to the very capable kitchen assistant Alan Chalmers.
So… the 2pm concert people voted on which cake to cut…
Then the 4pm audience had their choice…
And a beautiful cake was still waiting for the 7pm concert people.
Double layer Vanilla Buttercakes with buttercream. Ocean theme for this our ‘Tropical Ocean’ year.
It’s a great job for a creative octopus!

Ok. I’m new here. This is my first year as a PianoPet.
So what does it take to transform the Studio from Teaching Mode to Concert Mode? I have been led to believe it was a simple press of a transforming button like in the 1920-30s Speakeasies! Then the button jammed! We had to actually move stuff!
Just as well lots of things are on wheels.
Here’s some photos of never before seen ‘Behind the scene’ action!
Special thank you to Alan Chalmers for his expertise in getting jobs done.

Hi! I’m Octavius and it’s been so busy here that I have needed each of my eight tentacles!
“Let’s Celebrate” 30th Anniversary Concert Series was a resounding success.
Thank you to the students for their wonderful performances.
Thank you also to the supportive families and friends.
We played music and I learned lots about our history, like the Students CDs, the Totally On-Line and Totally Zoom concerts that became a double set of DVD. Margaret’s 2024 Yamaha Breakout Award - a national teaching award was certainly a highlight. We remembered special places and people.
So many lovely students have come to the studio to learn the skills needed to play piano. We hope they also learned so much more, and gained confidence as well as a love of music.
We opened the concerts with a car seat video from Russell Hung, who recalled our Zoom Online adventures, and he offered congratulations on our 30 years as a small business. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, Russell.

We promised a concert and CAKE!!!
There was a cake for each of the three concerts. It was fitting to have special guests to assist Margaret in a ceremonial cutting of the cakes at each concert. Thank you Fay! Thank you Jazira! Thank you Claire!
So many memories. So many smiles. So much music!
And… now some photos!

Margaret Chalmers Music Studio is morphing into Concert Mode for tomorrow!
Our students have practised and polished and their music is ready!
We have cake! It’s time to celebrate 30 years!

This afternoon in the Studio… a very successful Advanced Student Pre-Exam Recital.
A piece of music might be a sprint, but full Advanced exam programmes are like a musical marathon of skill, creativity and concentration. We take the training seriously!
Beautiful music….valuable performance practice… and delicious afternoon tea with friends and family! 🎶

It’s our 30th Anniversary and Octavius is thrilled to announce our Term 3 Studio Concert. It’s titled, “Let’s Celebrate!” and we plan to do just that with dynamic student performances, a wealth of memories and a very special cake!

We’re working on it! 🎶

***Pianoforte and Instrumental Solo / Duet / Trio / Quartet competitors ***

All own choice pieces must be submitted together will full particulars of the item attached during own choice day, this Saturday 1st August.

WHERE: Mackay Eisteddfod Office, 39a Gordon Street Mackay (inside Parish Hall)

WHEN: 9.00am to 4.00pm

Any own choice material not received by the nominated cut-off date will result in the competitor being disqualified. No late submissions will be accepted.

This relates to competitors in Pianoforte (all sections) and Instrumental Solos, Duets, Trios and Quartets (Sections 551-567).