Grievance Debate

Marryatville in Concert

Ms O'HANLON (Dunstan) (15:25): When I walked into Adelaide Town Hall for Marryatville in Concert 2025, I expected to hear good music. I have already lauded Marryatville High School for the extraordinary achievements of their big band, which this year gained second place in division 1 at Generations in Jazz—Australia's premier jazz festival for young musicians, which the Big Band ensemble has consistently placed in for the last 30 years. I was also thrilled to announce that the same group recently won most outstanding high school jazz ensemble in the world in the US-based DownBeat magazine awards, a worldwide publication for professional instrumentalists.

So I expected a top-notch performance, but what I experienced was far greater: an evening that left me mesmerised, speechless and in awe of what a school community can achieve when vision, passion and talent come together. From the opening sequences, it was clear that this was not just a concert but a celebration of discipline, creativity and joy. To hear young performers like Allen Li on piano, Andreina Robins on keyboard, Nok Hui on bass, Thomas Crescitelli on drums, Billy Stalley-Gordon on guitar, and Ryan Tillman and Maddy Bowden on vocals was to be reminded of the astonishing depth of talent in this school community.

None of this happens by accident. It takes leadership, vision and tireless dedication. Principal Julie Ferguson deserves enormous credit for shaping a school culture where the arts are a cornerstone of learning. She understands that music is not a luxury for students but a necessity. Head of Music, Mat Noble, is a powerhouse of inspiration, passion and energy for the importance of music for all children and young people as an outlet, as expression, as an instrument of emotional and psychological growth, and also as a partner in academic education. Matt is a mentor and guide who draws out of his students not just technical excellence but joy, confidence and connection. Alongside him, the entire music faculty, from classroom teachers to instrumental tutors, has created something that I have no doubt would be the envy of the nation.

The performances were extraordinary. The symphony orchestra under Jasmin Feneley and Aldis Sils soared with Chaminade's Concertino pour Flute, brought to life with brilliance by soloists Akane Mears and Jacinta Dela Rosa. The baroque ensemble, with Ying Ying Shu as soloist, played Bach with extraordinary precision and vitality. The choirs, the chamber and concert choir, and the combined voices in the finale reminded us of the unique power of human harmony. Neuroscience tells us that when people sing together, their heart rates synchronise, their breathing unites and the brain releases chemicals that enhance memory, wellbeing and resilience. Watching these young people, I could see those truths in action, with music binding them together as one.

The Big Band, SwingTones, Pops Vocal, Bird with Strings and the Funktion ensemble gave us music that lifted the roof. Soloist students like Luka Ferguson on saxophone, Reuben Elmualim on vibes, Eden Kwok on piano, Hugh Loipersberger on guitar, Myles Griesche-Church on saxophone and Andy Tettamanzi on trumpet shone with artistry that promises bright futures.

The science of music is as inspiring as the sound. Learning an instrument strengthens memory, problem solving and spatial reasoning. It literally builds new pathways in the brain. Singing in a choir develops not only pitch and rhythm but teamwork, empathy and the ability to listen deeply—skills that spill over into academic learning and life itself.

Think of a teenager drumming in a band—not necessarily my instrument of choice before I discovered this, but now I am thinking very differently about it. The auditory cortex is busy decoding the singer's voice, the guitarist's chords and the drummer's own kit, separating sounds and keeping track of timing. The motor cortex sends rapid-fire signals separately to both hands and feet so the drummer can coordinate between different movements on the left and right sides of the body. Procedural memory stores motor patterns built from practice. Dopamine and endorphins boost motivation, while oxytocin deepens connections with the singer and the bandmates.

In short, drumming with a singer is like running a mini orchestra inside the body: ears, eyes, muscles and multiple brain regions are all working together so rhythm, coordination, and emotion merge into one seamless performance. When we invest in music, we are not only creating great performances but building stronger, smarter, kinder human beings.

I left Marryatville in Concert humbled but deeply proud: humbled by the students whose courage and talent shone so brightly and teachers and tutors who dedicate their lives to nurturing that talent and so proud that this is South Australian public education.

On a personal note, I also want to acknowledge Andy. Through his love of and dedication to his musicianship, Andy has been the one person who finally inspired my own son back to music and to pick up his guitars again. That, to me, is a valuable measure on its own merit.