Watching Maggie A (Year 10) perform on stage, it’s hard to believe she’d never picked up a guitar before joining the band. But that’s exactly what happened, with the Year 10 student recalling the moment her future bandmates simply handed her a guitar in music class one day. “They just said, ‘OK, you’re in the band now,’” Maggie shared. “It was pretty crazy, but they started teaching me to play, and we went from there.” Now, Maggie has found herself performing at the Bondi Pavilion, writing her own music and even teaching other students to play guitar — all because of The Mackenzies. 

The band — made up of Caitlin C (Year 11), Claudia L (Year 10), Zinnia S (Year 10), Mackenzie H (Year 10), Jamie M (Year 10), Madeleine P (Year 11) and Maggie A (Year 10) — is part of our Rock Band program. The program began a few years ago after Music staff noticed a number of students learning instruments at school weren’t interested in joining our existing bands and ensembles. 

There was a simple reason for this: the groups weren’t playing music that these students were passionate about. “It was clear to the Music department that we needed to provide these students with the same ensemble experiences that their classmates enjoyed, but in a style that better matched their musical tastes, and so the Rock Band program began,” Head of Cocurricular Music, Mr Will Martina, explained 

But no one could have predicted the way the entire student body would embrace the program. What started as a single group has quickly grown into five separate bands, each with its own sound and style. According to Mr Martina, the success is largely due to the enthusiastic reception the bands receive every time they perform. He explained that whether performing at a lunchtime concert on the lawn or at the annual Clubs and Choirs house event, the students get a rockstar reaction. 

“Being up on stage is such an incredible feeling. Playing with my band at St Cath’s has helped me improve musically and work a lot harder. Getting to perform has taught me what it is like to get something out of the effort that you put in.

Zinna S (Year 10)

“The response from audiences motivates them to push for even better performances next time. It’s so rewarding to see young musicians who never thought that they would ever perform in public not only do so but enjoy it so much they can’t wait to do it again,” he added. 

The Mackenzies agree the performance aspect of the Rock Band program has been an experience like no other. “Being up on stage is such an incredible feeling,” Zinnia said. “It has helped me improve musically and work a lot harder. Getting to perform has taught me what it is like to get something out of the effort that you put in.”