Creative arts students form a diverse and active community within St Andrew’s College, with opportunities for performance, mentoring, publication, and many kinds of collaboration.
Meet the talented Cassidy Watts (Fr 2019) from Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Cassidy is studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in Composition for Creative Industries at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. Find her fantastic four-track EP, here and on other streaming services.
Tell us about your experiences in music and why it’s a passion of yours
I’ve grown up with music all around me and I’m blessed with an extremely talented family. I’ve played piano since I was in kindergarten and saxophone since I was in year 2, gradually joining any ensemble I could: from marching bands, to chapel choirs, to jazz bands, to saxophone ensembles, you name it.
Late in high school I came across my ability to compose and realised that it was something I wanted to pursue long term, both composing for film and TV, and producing music as an independent artist. The ability to create something that no one has ever heard before is fascinating to me, and something I will always continue to do.
Tell us about your recent success
At the end of last year, I released my first ever EP, titled ‘Sometimes I Feel’ to all streaming services under my own name ‘Cassidy Watts’. This was a year-long process that I worked on myself in all stages of writing, recording, producing, mixing and mastering. With the latest lockdown I’ve been able to work on some new music, hoping to be released soon! One of my more recent excitements, however, was singing for a track used on Channel 7’s show ‘Homicide with Ron Iddles’ just a few weeks ago. Pretty bizarre!
What creative arts scholarships have you held?
For my three years at college I have received the Peter Cameron Scholarship and the Addison Estate Endowment for excellence in choral music and instrumental music performance. I’ve also received the Struth award for excellence in arts in 2020, and the St Andrew’s College Keyboard Accompanist Scholarship in 2019 and 2020.
What is your biggest goal?
To be happy, surrounded by amazing people doing what I love. To keep creating music and sharing it with the world – as cheesy as that sounds, haha.
What activities have you taken part in at College?
I’ve been a member of the Jazz Band and Chapel Choir for my time here at Drew’s and I’m absolutely loving it. I was also involved in the Intercollegiate Musical in 2019 in the band.
What made you choose St Andrew’s?
I felt there was a deep sense of community embedded in the college that had a welcoming nature to it, as well as the multitude of opportunities presented in all areas, and the generous financial support offered.
Has St Andrew’s has supported you to achieve your goals?
Being able to have an involvement in areas I am passionate about and meeting like-minded people has been an incredible help.
What’s the best thing about College?
The people. I could say all the opportunities and possibilities but honestly it’s the people you experience it all with that makes it all the more worthwhile.
Image: Cassidy (middle) performing at St Andrew’s College, Image credit: Sub Zero