Taylor with JPC Munchkin Maestros, 30 Apr 2009

Taylor Tamowicz, with the John Paul College Munchkin Maestros under Ms Gundi Kariks.

He started learning to play the violin in Sept 2008, 2 weeks before Term 4.  He initially wanted to learn the piano but couldn't get teacher.  Then one day came home from school and said he wanted to learn violin in Yr 3. However, there's a teacher available for violin so he took that on first.

When the schoolyear started this end of Jan 2009, he was joined into the JPC Munchkin Maestros.

It’s his first performance on 30 April 2009. He wasn't happy though because his older brother Alexander wasn't there to watch him due to school assignments. The same group will be performing again during Mayfair next Friday.

A public performance at SeaWorld Gold Coast with an overnight stay coming up by the end of the year which all the kids are excited about it. 

ANZAC Day 2009

ANZAC Day 2009 (w/ 202 Squadron of AAFC) The Video

Foto slideshow

Alexander Tamowicz with 202 Squadron of Australian Air Force Cadet during the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corpse) Day Ceremony on 25 April 2009.

It was the first time the said squadron's involvement at Springwood Park, in this very historical event.

It's the day commemorating what these fine men (Australians and New Zealanders) fought together in 1917 at Gallipoli, gave up their lives to have our young Australians FREEDOM which we all enjoy to this day. These same young Australians - the would be leaders of  TODAY...TOMORROW!

AAFC - Recruit Course, 2009 Mar

Trials & Tribulations: Hormones or Simply Plain Being Difficult

I had to work on Alexander really hard to make him finally agree to join Australian Air Force Cadet (though been planting the seed since he was in Yr 4). A bit of the battle cause he claimed his friends get to say what they want to do and not to do. On top of that:

Alexander: "Mom, you're not exactly a perfect mother." A typical shock on my part.

I replied: "Okay, why?"

Alexander replied: "Well, you make me do things that I don't want to do. My friends get to say what want to do and not want to do."

I replied: "Were you exactly a doting son who follows everything without complains? Did you make it easy for me so I can fulfill the role of a perfect mother?."

I added on: "Fair enough, did it make you a lesser person for doing things you claim you don't like? Cause the rewards in the end as you know was all for your benefit: Autralian Youth Choir International Tours twice to Europe; Vienna Boys Choir for a whole school Term missed; McDonald's Youngstar Award Achiever; being able to swim 900km due to your Junior Squad Swim training; joined Nippers, Tennis, Basketball...by the way the trips especially were the things you liked to do."

Alexander: "Yeah, I did things I want to do...BUT.."

I said: "This is the only way I can help you for your future. Your father is not exactly fit and we're old already. Do you want to graduate without a job security? And, it will develop your character, personality, discipline, intitiativeness."

"However, in my case...I see him saying 'NO' to something he hasn't tried yet and not knowing well the pros/cons."I put him to AAFC basically for discipline, initiativeness, leadership, obedience/recognition of authority, and other aspects of personality development, ...the CAREER OPPORTUNITY was just an added bonus that I found out later on.

It is a very important stage that he gets through this AAFC until graduation to/after UNI and enjoying it.

Like any parent who only wish the best for thier children. As for me, this was the only way I envisage on helping him curve his future...the rest is up to him to whether to follow that path or not.And the rest is history....hoping to God Alexander will do the right thing.

As of now, can't say...it is still in the process of TRIALS...

Yurana Carols Candlelight 2008

Alexander sang for the Carols Candlelight at Yurana Home for the Aged, 19 December 2008

Alexander in Lachlan's Lullaby 2008

Alexander sang 'Lachlan's Lullaby' at the Australian Youth Choir Spring Concert 2008 at QPAC last October 2008.

Here at Yurana Home for the Aged last 6 December 2008 showcased the repertoire aside from the normal Christmas sogs.

Alexander in Any Dream Will Do, 2005

Alexander with the Australian Youth Choir in Manly Retirement Home in 2005 under Mrs Elizabeth Thomas, sang Any Dream Will Do, from Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Alexander during this period was at Training Level 2 but also at Recital Choir.

Fotos in Review 2008

Another school year has come to an end. It is not really the end though… it’s just another route to another great adventure.

2008, was a year filled with laughters, celebrations, and heartaches or even headaches. I suppose life won’t mean a thing if everything stays the same. Imagine not having any challenges. All these things make life colorful and very expressive. It’s like you try to put it in an easel with your paint and brush.

So, let’s wait and see for the upcoming arrival of another year…

Alexander @ McHappy Day 2008

November 15, 2008, Saturday, McHappy Day!

Alexander being a Youngstar Achiever of McDonald's donated his 2 hours to help raise funds for children.

Ronald McDonald runs a halfway house and helps lots of kids.

It was a fun day...

Alexander at Emma Wolff's 100th Birthday

What is a birthday? How many of us get to celebrate 100th birthday? Is it another milestone in life?

Emma Wolff celebrated her 100th birthday at Yurana Home for the Aged last 6 October 2008. She had seen the formation of history... from World War II to first Hobart Yacht Race to Indigenous Australian rights, etc... a wonderful lady.

It was a great honour for Alexander indeed, became a part in this grandeous celebration. He performed for Emma and sang an Elvis Presley song, 'Can't Help Falling In Love With You', and Emma's favourite, 'Amazing Grace.'

Taylor Jazz Concert 2006

Taylor learned jazz under Mrs Janice Heale since he was at Childcare. When he was at Preschool in 2006, I enrolled him for the jazz.

He loved it... though being joke about by his elder brother that it's for girls only.

At the beginning of the year, there was a chinese boy but dropped by Term 4.

Taylor Performances at JPC Yr 2 Choir 2008

This year, Taylor joined the school's schoolchoir; though, he's not too keen in following his big brother's footsteps - joining the Australian Youth Choir. He thought he will have to go to Germany and speak German... like Alexander did with the Vienna Boys Choir.

Who knows though it may change in the future....

Taylor during performance of John Paul College Yr 2 Choir during Grandparents Day, 12 Sept 2008




Taylor at John Paul College Yr 2 Choir, 21 May 2008




Taylor during Yr 2 Choir at Mayfair 2008 performance

Alexander at Yurana Sept 2008

Alexander during performance at the Yurana Home for the Aged one Saturday afternoon on 13 September 2008.

He sang Amazing Grace and Panis Angelicus. Surprisingly, the residents joined in singing Amazing Grace. It must have been their favourite.

There were 14 other performers: pianists and soloists from John Paul College under the instruction of Mrs Sophie Allen.

After the performance, Pauline Williams who managed the place, asked Alexander to perform in celebration of the 100th birthday of Emma Wolff. She loved Alexander's performance.

It was a lovely musical treat of entertainment for the elderly residents because a lot of them feel sad being in such a place. Some of them rarely had relatives/visitors to come and see them.

The kids enjoyed being part of it... giving life through music...!

Alexander Tamowicz, Redlands Eisteddfod Vocal Solo, June 2008 - 11 to 12 yrs old

Alexander, born on 25 November 1995... throughout these years, never in our imagination - our Singing Nightingale...

The above video was a Vocal Performance on March 2008. Alexander sang "When You Wish Upon A Star". It was to perform out there to close families and friends...

*******
The following 3 videos below were taken on 24 May 2008, during the rehearsal with the accompanist Kim.

The competition was Alexander's first time to be in it. Didn't have any idea about what's happening on this competition. It was nervy and not knowing what to expect.

Aside from the 3 videos below, Alexander also sang during the competition: Vocal Solo Pop - One Voice by Billy Gilman. He didn't get any reward but got 92% for his performance. He held back unlike the others who had actions and more of stage presence though the adjudicator Rosemary Arthas wrote: "What a great song! Love it! Great words and your singing grew on the song went on. Great! In time all the way! Good. Do you like this song? I (And the audience) want to feel you do...Good to hear a different style of singing too. Great job!"

And the Vocal Solo Musical Theatre-When You Wish Upon A Star, got 92% and HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD, a purple ribbon... the other contenders performed like broadway musical sytle and were great! Though the adjudicator Rosemary Arthars wrote: "You break my heart everytime... When you grow up-I know you'll be a lovely man. GREAT facial expressions and lovely feelings out to us. Good boy-keep the tone even and it will grow and grow. FAB. Well done."

The actual competition was June 2-3, 2008 at Redlands Performing Arts Center in Cleveland, Queensland, Australia.

Still, a wonderful experience for Alexander... bringing the 3 trophies unexpectedly knowing all the contenders were great.

A wonderful thanks to his lovely/beautiful vocal teacher, Mrs Sophie Allen, who believed in him and decided to join him in this competition... more so her patience.

And, thanks to Kim, who initially rehearsed with him... to Peter Crane, who was the accompanist during the competition and intially gave Alexander techniques during the rehearsal...

And, thanks to adjudicator Rosemary Arthas...for her wonderful, encouraging comments...

Vocal Solo Folksong - Amazing Grace, First Place 96%

from Rosemary Arthas: "How Sweet the sound! Lovely long phrases...well done! Good strong last verse! Very moving Alexander. I thought you did a great job! Beautiful Boy!"


Vocal Solo Unrestricted - How Beautiful Are The Feet The Messiah, Second Place 95%

from Rosemary Arthas: "Lovely face! Smile? What a lovely pure voice! Keep strong in breath and support. Good diction and musicality. Well done Alexander!"

Vocal Solo Sacred - Panis Angelicus, Second Place 95%

from Rosemary Arthas: "Smile Alexander, if you can-I know you're nervous! Such a lovely sweet voice-and the top notes pure and ringing. Support those lower notes as much as the high notes. Gorgeous voice. Good fellow!"

Below more videos but during the rehearsal on 30 May 2008 with accompanist for the Redlands Eisteddfod, Mr Peter Crane...

Amazing Grace

How Beautiful Are The Feet - The Messiah

Panis Angelicus

When You Wish Upon A Star

JPC 25th Anniversary 2007

Many of us had been confronted with the dilemma which school to send our children. Basically our main goal was giving the best education to help them formulate and manipulate their future.

Who would say that after going through challenges and uncertainties that John Paul College survived and made its mark in the world of high-tech education?

This year it celebrated its 25th year anniversary. John Paul College vision of providing young Australians the best education and technology had come to reality and focusing to achieve international recognition.

Like any other schools, John Paul College through its integrity provides the foundation in the making of the future of Australia and perhaps great leaders of this country. But nothing can make it all possible without the dedication and perseverance of the students and support from their parents.

Alexander joined in June 2002 as a Yr 2 student while Taylor in 2004 in Childcare. This year, Alexander finished Yr 7 while Taylor finished Yr 1. Both loved their school and the teachers they had this year, especially for Alexander who luckily had compassionate and caring teachers and a headmaster with a big heart. Thank you.

We take our hats of ... Speech Night 2007

Alexander in AYC with KSB 2007

Though already in John Paul College Primary School Choir, Alexander joined the Australian Youth Choir in 2004 as Probationer – Level 1. He moved his ranks over the years and currently in Chamber Choir, for the first time this year 2007.

In 2005, he was in Training - Level 2 at the age of 9 years old and toured with the Australian Youth Choir in May for 3 weeks to Wales, Ireland and Wales. He rehearsed 1 hour every Thursday night in Carina being Level 2. However, in addition due to International Tour commitment he had to rehearse every Friday night for 1 hour and 30 minutes in KPUC with the Recital Choir and 3 hours every Saturday morning in Paddington. He learned so much and became responsible after the tour though homesick but enjoyed it so much.

In 2006, he was in Performing – Level 3 and formally a member of the Recital Choir. He rehearsed 1 hour and 30 minutes every Thursday night in Carina and every Friday night for 1 hour and a half in KPUC as a member of the Specialist Choir.

It was this same year that he performed with the Vienna Boys Choir when they came to Brisbane. That was the eye opening for his unbelievable keen interest with the Vienna Boys Choir. He was so greatly impressed with the excellent performance of the infamous chorister group. This was then the beginning of his dream and to achieve it eventually.

In 2007, he was in Chamber Choir which was the top level of the Australian Youth Choir and rehearsed every Friday night in KPUC for 3 hours. Again, he toured with the Australian Youth Choir in May for 3 weeks to Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin, Amsterdam, and London. He rehearsed every Friday nights and rehearsed every Saturday mornings for 2 hours in Paddington for the Tour.

It was during this tour he auditioned and passed the Vienna Boys Choir. He went back to Vienna and joined them in July 2007 for a month in their music camp as part of the one month trial period. Hopefully, he can be recalled back to officially join them when the space becomes available for 2008-2009 season.

Before Alexander left for Vienna, the Keystone State Boychoir came to Australia to perform with the Australian Youth Choir. He billeted American boys his age which was very interesting experience.

Alexander with Kai Heen and Sam Pritchard of KSB

The Keystone State Boychoir is a singing group for young men ages 7 to 17, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2001. They travelled performing to South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Alaska, Japan, and Southeast Asia and came to Australia in July 2007.

The Australian Youth Choir for the first time with the Keystone State Boychoir was a very an exciting event for both of the chorister groups. The performance from KSB was very entertaining and they were magnificent.

Alexander was definitely exposed to different style of performances and he learned from it like the rest.

AYC Chamber in Buderim 2007