ENSEMBLES 2009
Narelle Colbey
Head of Strings and Conductor of the Chamber String Orchestra
At the age of 5 she was part of a pilot program for only 2 schools in Australia in the 1970’s to make music an integral part of the curriculum through the teachings of Kodaly, under Dr Deanna Hoermann. Part of this program implemented string teaching. After graduating with Merit from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Mrs Colbey conducted and coordinated many State school combined performances at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Town Hall. Mrs Colbey was also responsible for the String program at State School Music camps for both secondary and primary school players. Mrs Colbey has worked and studied with Australian and international string tutors and conductors, including Dr Michael Heaney, Jan Sedivka, Henryk Pisarek, Christopher Kimber and Harry Curby. As the Head of Strings at the College she is responsible for the implementation and direction of the String Program from Years 3 – 12. Her passion is music and her string girls. Mrs Colbey has performed with both classical and popular artists both in Australia and internationally. She believes that it is important to bring the best of diverse musical performing opportunities to her students. She has been instrumental in making it possible to have both electric string instruments (including a newly formed electric string quartet) and authentic Baroque performances (including custom made Baroque bows) at the College.
