“If you enjoy it, you’re more willing to put in the time.”— Henry Giese, Year 11
From a compulsory music lesson in Year 4, Henry Geise has gone on to complete Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Grade 8 in both clarinet and bass guitar.
When Henry Geise first picked up the clarinet in Year 4, playing an instrument was compulsory at his primary school; he simply gave it a go.
What followed has been shaped less by a single decision and more by years of steady commitment.
He started on clarinet and bass guitar at the same time, and those two instruments have remained his favourites despite trying piano and picking up acoustic guitar more recently.
“I would have been about eight,” he says.
Now in Year 11, Henry is a central part of the music program; he’s part of the Big Band, Concert Band, RnB Band and Guitar Ensemble, where he is the ensemble leader.
What he has in fact achieved is a level of proficiency that is easy to overlook unless you understand what it takes.
Henry has completed AMEB Grade 8 in both clarinet and bass guitar. It is a significant benchmark, usually reached after many years of consistent practice. To achieve that level on one instrument before graduating high school is impressive, but to do it on two, while balancing everything else, is very rare.
That time extends beyond the School. Henry has been selected in both the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) and the Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP), highly competitive programs that require a formal audition process.
“It’s good fun as you’re all there for the same reason,” he adds.
Henry feels the same way about the GPS Music Showcase and the Toowoomba Eisteddfod, explaining that it becomes more of a reunion than a competition.
Alongside his musical commitments, Henry represents the School in swimming, cross country and track and field; earning selection in GPS teams means a full schedule.
“I try to stay organised,” he says. “Sport in the afternoon, music in the morning or on weekends. It’s just about fitting it in.”
Music, though, remains a constant. Sometimes structured and demanding, sometimes something quieter.
“Sometimes I’ll just pick up the guitar and play,” he says. “That’s when it’s relaxing.”
He is also formalising his skills by studying at a tertiary level for a Diploma of Music while still at the School, which opens the door to teaching and sharing what he has learned.
It is a quiet, consistent approach. One that reflects both his humility and his exceptional musical ability. His advice to anyone thinking about taking up music is simple: “There’s just so many other opportunities that you can unlock from it.”
Henry is a gifted young musician, a dedicated sportsman and a capable, high-achieving student, a fine example of what it means to be a Toowoomba Grammar School boy, setting a standard that speaks for itself.
Latest Blog
A Safe, Welcoming and Joyous Community
Tell us about yourself My background, at least that associated with boarding and teaching, is long and varied with a number of different aspects leading to this chosen career path. For the most part, I was schooled in Canberra but had extended periods in Lesotho, Norfolk Island, and Samoa as a result of my father’s work in foreign aid. My schooling was quite disruptive, and I wasn’t a model student! I was always passionate about English; often distracting myself (amongst other things) immersed…
Facilitating Respect
Recently the 2022 TGS Prefect group spoke at the Headmaster’s Assembly about respecting individuality. But what does this mean? The foundations for a successful relationship with peers, family, co-workers, and others is framed and supported by a two-way street of respect. However, for this two-way street to be functional it is important to know that respect cannot be demanded, it can only be earned. Toowoomba Grammar School is no different and respect is nurtured in various forms such as in the…
The Benefits of Early Learning at TGS
Making a decision about our children’s education can be difficult; especially when there are so many options available. Once upon a time parents simply sent their children to the school that was a walkable distance from home. Much research has evolved since the early 1900s about what is best for our children to foster a love of learning and feel confident and safe in the classroom. Here at Toowoomba Grammar School, we take this very seriously. Pastoral care comes before anything else; we see…
Outside of the Text Book
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein There is no denying that learning a foreign language can sometimes be a challenging experience, particularly with limited opportunity to practise outside the classroom. However, learning a language is a skill that will add to many facets of your life, often without you even realising, and as part of a well-rounded education, the value of language learning cannot be underestimated. "A different language is a…
TGS Academic Enrichment Program for Boarders
Toowoomba Grammar School provides an inspiring and broad curriculum for boys, delivered by dedicated educators who understand how to engage boys in their learning. Our staff go above and beyond in providing an outstanding education and support network for our boys. They are regularly available to answer questions, assist with homework and assignments and provide academic support for all our students. This is particularly so for our boarders, thanks to our Academic Enrichment Program (AEP). All…
Teacher as a Student
As a teacher at Toowoomba Grammar School, I teach mathematics and business studies, and manage the GPS Chess team. Prior to teaching, I worked as a financial analyst. Recently I have completed a master's degree in science at the University of Southern Queensland. My study was focused exclusively on data science, and I have become an expert in the management of big data with a specialisation in modelling and forecasting using machine learning techniques. The motivation for this study was…
Developing Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are extremely important for the development of mental health in our youth. When you spend time with people you care about, who care about you, this can help you feel connected and supported. This term is one of the largest in regard to boys participating in activities and sports ranging from field, to court, to thought. This is in addition to music and drama programs. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we believe this allows for plenty of opportunity to develop the ability to…
Striving for the Best
Director of Volleyball, Mr Eric Smith has spent the past 20 years at Toowoomba Grammar School not only shaping the minds of the young men in his science classroom but also working tirelessly on improving his capacity to coach volleyball to the highest level. Starting at the School in 2003, Eric quickly rediscovered his passion for volleyball, something he had not experienced since playing for Ipswich Grammar School during the ‘90s. “I felt completely at home back on the volleyball court and…
When it comes to Music, Variety is the Spice of Life
In the Queensland Curriculum, the content of the music syllabus includes the study of the people, places and cultures involved in musical creation and performance. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for students in every school setting to study a wide variety of musical styles, cultures and genres. The Toowoomba Grammar School Music program of 2022 embraces this holistic approach to the study of music, encouraging teachers and students to explore a variety of musical…
