Spring Concert 2026
Everything families need for the Spring Concert on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 7:00pm in Mary MacKillop Hall: program order, 5:45pm call time, performance dress, free tickets via the Parent Portal, parking and collection arrangements.
The Spring Concert is the biggest night in the College music calendar, and the one evening of the year when every ensemble performs on the same stage. All seven ensembles — around 280 students from Years 2 to 12 — will perform on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 7:00pm in Mary MacKillop Hall. Doors open at 6:30pm and the concert finishes at approximately 8:45pm. Families, grandparents and friends are all welcome.
Key details
| Date | Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
| Concert | 7:00pm – approx. 8:45pm (doors 6:30pm) |
| Performer call time | 5:45pm, Music Centre |
| Venue | Mary MacKillop Hall, 14 Chapel Road |
| Tickets | Free — RSVP via Parent Portal > Events by Monday 14 September 2026 |
| Seating | 450 seats, unallocated |
Program
| Part | Ensemble | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Junior Band | 7:00pm |
| Junior Choir | 7:15pm | |
| String Ensemble | 7:30pm | |
| Rock Bands (two groups) | 7:45pm | |
| Interval (15 minutes) | P&F tea, coffee and cake — gold coin donation | 8:00pm |
| Part 2 | Senior Chamber Choir | 8:15pm |
| Stage Band | 8:25pm | |
| Concert Band | 8:35pm | |
| Finale | Massed item: Lumen in Tenebris (College song), all ensembles | 8:45pm |
The title of the 2027 College Musical will be announced from the stage during Part 2. Times are a guide only; please stay for the whole program if you can, as students notice a full hall.
Call time and where to go
All performers arrive at the Music Centre by 5:45pm for roll call with their ensemble director, a final warm-up and a sound check on stage. Please do not arrive earlier than 5:30pm, as staff are setting up. Students who are in more than one ensemble follow the schedule given to them by Ms Whitlam at rehearsals this week.
Students competing at the CSSA Athletics Finals on the same day will return to the College by bus in the late afternoon; they are still expected to perform and should arrive at the Music Centre by 5:45pm with their uniform and instrument. Contact Ms Whitlam if this creates a difficulty.
What to wear
| Ensemble | Dress |
|---|---|
| Junior Choir, Junior Band, String Ensemble (Junior members) | Full winter uniform (jumper, no hat) |
| Senior Chamber Choir, Concert Band, String Ensemble (Senior members) | Full winter uniform with blazer and tie |
| Stage Band and Rock Bands | All black: black shirt or top, black trousers, black shoes |
Please check uniforms this week — hemlines, ties and blazers are noticed under stage lights. See Uniform Shop for opening hours.
Junior performers at interval
Junior performers (Years 2–6) sit together in a reserved area during Part 1 and then rejoin their parents in the audience at interval. A parent or carer collects them from the Music Centre foyer during the interval — please come to the foyer rather than waiting in your seat. Senior performers remain backstage until the finale, then meet families in the Hall foyer at the end.
Tickets and RSVP
The concert is free. So that we can plan seating, please RSVP the number of guests via Parent Portal > Events > Spring Concert 2026 by Monday 14 September 2026. If you have difficulty with the Portal, see the Parent Portal Guide or ring the Music Office. Seats are unallocated; a small number of front-row seats are reserved for families needing accessible seating — email music@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au to request one.
Parking and arrival
- Main car park via Chapel Road: 40 bays including two accessible bays. It fills by 6:30pm.
- Overflow parking: Sports Centre car park off Convent Lane, a three-minute walk to the Hall.
- The Kiss-and-Drop zone on Chapel Road is closed to parking; you may stop for two minutes to drop a performer at 5:45pm but not leave the vehicle.
- Please do not park across neighbours' driveways or in the Staff car park. See Kiss-and-Drop & Parking.
Photography
Families may photograph and film their own children. Please do not use flash during performances and do not post images that include other students without their families' consent — see the Photography & Media Consent Policy. The College's own photos will be posted on the Portal in the week after the concert.
The week of the concert
- Monday 14 September 2026: RSVPs close; final rehearsals as normal.
- Tuesday 15 September 2026: Stage Band and Rock Bands stage sound check 3:30–4:30pm.
- Wednesday 16 September 2026: Junior Band does not rehearse at 7:45am (Friday's rehearsal is cancelled that week). Senior students finish at 2:45pm as usual and may go home before returning at 5:45pm.
We look forward to a wonderful night. Thank you for the many hours of practice, early mornings and lifts to rehearsals that make it possible.