News

On song for HSC despite challenge

STRESSFUL under even the best of conditions, it would be hard to argue against giving this year’s HSC students a few extra marks for enduring a year of study disrupted by the ongoing pandemic.

At Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School, Anau Malafu and Jonique Lino are among the Year 12 cohort focused on rehearsing for their trial music practical HSC exams ahead of the final performance exam at the beginning of September.
The 17-year-olds say that coronavirus restrictions have changed certain aspects of their planned performances, including arrangements and having to choose whether to use a band or a backing track.
They’ve also been working with a new music teacher this term, although Anau says having people with different perspectives and skills has been a good thing.
Anau said her love of singing started in church but has no plans to pursue music as a career.
“I want to help people but I’m not quite sure how yet,” she said.
“I’m singing because it’s something that I enjoy. If my love for music became a job, then it’s just going to become a repetition and I’m going to start losing my passion for it.”
Also admitting she doesn’t have enough of “a passion for music” to turn it into a full-time job, Jonique is hoping to study either sports science or physiotherapy at the Western Sydney University next year.
She said her final HSC song choices were made because her teachers wanted to “challenge my piano skills and take me out of my comfort zone” and despite all the disruptions, she feels good about the upcoming performance exams.