“This was completely out of my comfort zone, but that’s where growth happens.”Ms Teresa Brix
When teachers continue to live their craft at the highest level, students see what dedication, relevance and love for music can truly become.
When the lights came up on & Juliet at the Empire Theatre, more than 6,700 audience members were treated to a bold, high‑energy production backed by an extraordinary team of professional musicians. Among them were two familiar faces from Toowoomba Grammar School: Ms Teresa Brix and Mr Mark Chalmers.
For the TGS community, their involvement in one of the region’s largest theatrical productions is something to celebrate, not simply as a professional achievement, but as a powerful reminder of the value of teachers who remain deeply connected to their craft.
Ms Brix, a classically trained violinist and violist, has long been part of the Empire Theatre musical landscape. Returning for & Juliet marked both a revisit and a reinvention. The production demanded a steep learning curve: synchronising to click tracks, navigating constant headphone use and managing individual mixing desks, it was far removed from the traditional orchestral setting.
For Ms Brix, the challenge wasn’t just personal. It was professional, as the experience sharpened her understanding of the modern performance world, knowledge she brings directly back into the classroom. From senior students exploring contemporary pathways to junior boys fascinated by the mechanics of live performance, her real‑world experience adds real relevance to her lessons.
Mr Chalmers, a highly respected bass guitarist who performs regularly across the region, also relished the scale and intensity of the production. For him, & Juliet offered something beyond a typical gig; the thrill of contributing to a vast collaborative effort.
“There’s a real buzz in being part of something bigger than yourself.”Mr Mark Chalmers
“The band, the cast, the crew, everything comes together very quickly and everyone is expected to arrive prepared", said Mr Chalmers.
That professionalism is a cornerstone of Empire Theatre productions, with only a handful of rehearsals bringing musicians and cast together before opening night. It’s an environment that rewards experience, discipline and adaptability; qualities Mr Chalmers models every day at TGS.
Importantly, both teachers see their continued involvement in the professional music scene as an extension of their role as educators. It keeps them current, connected and credible. It builds networks with leading musicians and directors from across the country, networks that can, in turn, support students with ambition and talent.
But perhaps the most meaningful impact has been closer to home.
One of Ms Brix’s Year 3 students sat in the front row on opening night. When he returned for his next lesson, he was beaming. He had seen his teacher on stage.
“That moment stays with you,” she said. “They start to understand what the practice leads to.”
It’s a living example of the adage you can’t be what you can’t see. At TGS, students don’t just hear about musical excellence, they witness it.
Balancing the demands of major productions with full teaching schedules is no small feat, yet both Ms Brix and Mr Chalmers embrace the challenge wholeheartedly. Their ongoing professional work speaks to relevance, commitment and a genuine love of music.
The score of & Juliet was, by all accounts, a total bop, packed wall‑to‑wall with 1990s pop anthems reimagined for the stage. Ms Brix found herself most drawn to One More Try, the show’s only original song, a lyrical, heartfelt love theme between Romeo and Juliet that lingered long after the curtain fell. For Mr Chalmers, it was Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) that hit hardest, thanks to its irresistibly fat bassline and the chance to unleash a synth‑bass pedal.
From the orchestra pit to the practice room, from centre stage to the classroom, they remind us that excellence is not static, it’s lived and shared.
Latest Blog
Pedal Power: The TGS Mountain Bike Club
What started with 12 boys now has 90, with many of the riders racing in the Schools Academy Gravity Enduro Series and other events. We also have a tour of 20 boys going to Thredbo in December this year, where they will tackle some of the most exciting trails in Australia. We thank the wonderful group of parents who support the club. They can often be found driving vehicles up and down the range on a Sunday morning to support the boys. We would not have been as successful as we are without…
Beyond the Blue and Gold
Our focus is to work with each individual student to assist in creating awareness of the world of work, helping students to articulate their interests and identifying what is important to them and their values. We assist the boys in developing the skills to explore the different careers out there. We connect them with employers and industry professionals and help them navigate towards the job or career they are interested in. We work hard to individualise each student’s unique School journey to…
Character and Wellbeing – The Grammar Way
Legacy of Leadership: The Impact of John Mackintosh at Toowoomba Grammar School Toowoomba Grammar School’s first Headmaster, John Mackintosh (1876–1879) led the School with the demeanour of a typical Victorian father figure. His leadership was steadfast and nurturing, with decisions that were definitive and meticulously aimed at creating an environment that was conducive to a boy’s character and learning outcomes. Mackintosh introduced recreational activities such as chess and draughts…
2024 IBSC Conference
It is part of our Strategic Plan's People Pillar which is "build a high-performing culture that supports the wellbeing and development of staff, who exemplify the TGS values and share our commitment to the growth of our boys". In fact, that focus was acknowledged in our receiving The Educator’s 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice award. The Award acknowledges excellence in providing professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect. So it was with great pleasure…
Filmmaker, Storyteller and Visionary
From his days as a boarding student at Toowoomba Grammar School, where he first dipped his toes into the world of filming GPS sporting events, to his current roles as sports documentarian and founder of the Outback Film Club, Clancy’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Establishing Outback Film Club has been a real triumph The echoes of school war cries reverberating around the Chandler Aquatic Centre in 2011 marked the start of Clancy’s cinematic journey.…
A Cut Shot Above The Rest
Ben’s sport takes him to the best beaches on the planet, but his love of volleyball began back at Toowoomba Grammar School, inspired after seeing his older brother play. As Ben explains, he was hooked:
Gummingurru Excursion - Deep Time History of Australia on our Doorstep
Gummingurru is unique in being the best-preserved initiation site in southeast Queensland, including bora rings and various stone arrangements that have ancient links to the totems and kinship practices of the Jarowair and Giabal people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, as well as the broader region within the highly significant cultural landscape of the Bunya Mountains. The boys were welcomed to, and guided through, the site and its learning centre by Mr Shannon Bauwens, a Western Wakka…
Responding to Negative Peer Interactions
As we approach the end of Term 3, we find it is typically a time when boys start to get tired and emotional and are most likely to make poor decisions that can lead to relationship challenges between peers. Comments and humour shared between mates that may have been received without concern in the first week of the term may change as boys start to tire and their tolerance levels decrease. This may lead to boys reacting with heightened and overly emotional responses. This is normal as boys are…
Remembering James Russell McWilliam AO
Jim McWilliam was a pioneering agricultural scientist and the first Director of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (1982–89), where he built lasting partnerships between Australian researchers and developing countries. James Russell McWilliam AO Born near Leyburn, Queensland, Jim studied forestry at the University of Queensland and in the US, completing a PhD at Yale. He worked with the Queensland Forestry Service, CSIRO and later as Professor of Agronomy at the…
